Patterns (film)

"Patterns" is a 1956 feature film starring Van Heflin, Everett Sloane and Ed Begley. The screenplay by Rod Serling was an adaptation of his teleplay "Patterns" originally telecast January 15, 1955 on the "Kraft Television Theatre" with Sloane, Begley and Richard Kiley.

Directed by Fielder Cook, the film was released March 27, 1956. While Sloane and Begley repeated their roles from the TV production, Heflin replaced Kiley in the role of up-and-coming executive Fred Staples.

Apart from establishing shots on New York City streets, the film's screenplay has no major changes from the teleplay. Most of the scenes are set in the corporate boardroom and surrounding offices of Ramsey & Co., a Manhattan industrial empire headed by the ruthless Walter Ramsey. His associate is Bill Briggs, and the youthful industrial engineer Fred Staples is brought in by Ramsey to replace Briggs.

Classic Film Guide reviewed::Out of respect for Briggs's tenure, Ramsey will not fire him. However, the chairman does employ a two-pronged approach hoping to force the executive to resign: hire Staples, then embarrass by harassing Briggs relentless at board meetings in front of the other executives... Initially, Fred seems unaware of Walter's intentions to replace Bill. However, after a party at the Staples' home during which Nancy encourages the chairman to read a report that her husband had been working on for Bill, Walter makes them clear. Fred then has to struggle with his own ambition, especially when Walter credits Fred for what was Bill's idea at the next meeting of the executives. An argument ensues and a dejected Bill is forced to swallow his pride once again before leaving the room and collapsing under the stress and humiliation; shortly thereafter, he dies in the hospital. This prompts a showdown meeting between Fred and Walter, the outcome of which is unexpected and not entirely unrealistic either. [ [http://www.classicfilmguide.com/index.php?s=other_reviews&item=497 Classic Film Guide] ]

Cast

Van Heflin ... Fred Staples
Everett Sloane ... Walter Ramsey
Ed Begley ... William Briggs
Beatrice Straight ... Nancy Staples
Elizabeth Wilson ... Marge Fleming
Joanna Roos ... Miss Margaret Lanier
Valerie Cossart ... Miss Stevens
Eleni Kiamos ... Sylvia Trammel
Ronnie Welsh ... Paul Briggs
Shirley Standlee ... Miss Hill
Andrew Duggan ... Mr. Jameson
Jack Livesy ... Mr. Vanderventer
John Seymour ... Mr. Gordon
James Kelly ... Mr. Latham
John Shelly ... Mr. Grannigan

References

External links

* [http://www.allwatchers.com/topics/info_31262.asp "Patterns" reviewed at AllWatchers.com]