The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Nunnally Johnson

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)
Sloan Wilson (novel)

Release Date:

8 May 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

The year's most dramatic book...the year's most distinguished picture!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Work | Public Relations | Italian Woman | Responsibility | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

153 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | USA:Approved (certificate #17865) | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

Westport, Connecticut, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

DeForest Kelley's first line in this film ends with, "This man's dead, captain."

Goofs:

Anachronisms: During the combat parachute jump shown in the film, the paratroopers are shown jumping from C-119 aircraft, a type that was not yet available during World War II.

Quotes:

Judge Bernstein: [referring to a man who is trying to cheat Tom Rath out of his home] If you're going to be slick, be slick in the city. They're not as smart there.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "At the Movies: Summer Special 2008/09" (2008)

Soundtrack:

Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech

A salient commentary on the American executive lifestyle

I was pleased to get a chance to see this movie -- at least half of it -- during a bout of insomnia. The title was a catchphrase for corporate America for many, many years, a kind of symbol for overachieving, aggressive, ambitious businessmen without principles -- in other words, the "suits."

Though I am generally wary of Gregory Peck's (and Jennifer Jones') tendency to niceness, I was impressed by their work here. Their relationship was both substantial and subtle. Jennifer Jones had much much more humanity and integrity than the average housewife portrayed in other films of the 50s and 60s. Peck's character respected her opinions and values.

But I was knocked out by Fredric March. His type A, workaholic executive was touching on many levels. His utter tiredness, alcoholic puffiness, and innate sadness was plastered over with a Willy Loman-like veneer of gung-ho, jolly-good-fellow false heartiness. How familiar that character was and is -- in real life. His ambition, greed and drive had become a habit, and like any junky, he was simply unable to quit. Despite the human losses. I will never forget the scene in his office, when his wife calls him up, and he slowly hangs up the phone.

A very fine film, with many truths about our national character and obsessions....