The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

An ex-soldier faces ethical questions as he tries to earn enough to support his wife and children well.

Director:

Nunnally Johnson

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay), Sloan Wilson (novel)

Stars:

Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Fredric March

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gregory Peck	...	Tom Rath
Jennifer Jones	...	Betsy Rath
Fredric March	...	Ralph Hopkins
Marisa Pavan	...	Maria Montagne
Lee J. Cobb	...	Judge Bernstein
Ann Harding	...	Helen Hopkins
Keenan Wynn	...	Sgt. Caesar Gardella
Gene Lockhart	...	Bill Hawthorne
Gigi Perreau	...	Susan Hopkins
Portland Mason	...	Janey Rath
Arthur O'Connell	...	Gordon Walker
Henry Daniell	...	Bill Ogden
Connie Gilchrist	...	Mrs. Manter
Joseph Sweeney	...	Edward M. Schultz
Sandy Descher	...	Barbara Rath

Storyline

Tom Rath lives in Connecticut and commutes to work every day in Manhattan. He's happily married and has a loving wife and three children. Money is a bit tight and when the opportunity arises, he applies for a public relations job with a major television network. During his long commute to work everyday, Tom reminisces about the war. Although 10 years have gone by, he is still haunted by the violence and the men he killed. He also thinks of Maria, an Italian girl with whom he had an affair while stationed in Rome. At his new job, the head of the network Ralph Hopkins takes an immediate liking to him. Tom soon realizes that he will have to choose between becoming a wholly dedicated company man or maintaining a healthy work-life balance. When he learns that Maria gave birth to his son after he left Italy, he decides to let his wife know and ensure that the boy is cared for.

---

Plot Keywords:

work | public relations | job | television | truth | 

---

Taglines:

His loves...his world---both past and present---and the crisis they caused!

---

Genres:

Drama | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian German

Release Date:

8 May 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

El hombre del traje gris

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

153 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Average Shot Length (ASL) = 16 seconds

---

Goofs

The opening shot of a New Haven Railroad train supposedly shows Tom's train home, leaving New York in the evening. But then the sunlight should be on its left side (as it is in the interior shot following).

---

Quotes

Maria Montagne: Could you possibly give me some Spam?
Tom Rath: You like Spam?

---

Connections

Referenced in Sirens (1999)

---

Soundtracks

"Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech"
Played on the ukelele by Gregory Peck

User Reviews

A Great Movie That Shows How Empty Our Lives Are

It's amazing this film came out of the 50's. It's even more true today, than it was then, now things are so rigidly stratified in our society that people can't even relate to considering being a Workaholic anything other than 'worthwhile' and 'normal'. Rat Race lifestyle, is all America is about now. Misery, stress, alienation, isolation; great material wealth but a dysfunctional society that has made little robots and zombies out of each of us. Remember how vibrant you felt as a child, how full of wonder? Remember being excited about the chance to play with other kids? Now we dread every minute of our lifestyle, yet still smile and say "things are going okay" when asked. What liars we have become. A culture of liars and cruel, vicious people, with plastic smiles frozen on our faces and our deep heartache and longing hidden away. This film shows that America has been on the wrong path for a long time and it's only gotten worse. Great film!! Peck is adequate, but considering the times he lived in, a pretty good performance. It's the writing and the messages of this film that stand out!!