Patterns (1956)

“On our level you don’t get fired, you know that. After thirty years of productive work, they can’t say to a man like me, “Alright, now get out!” They just can’t do that. So what do they do? They create a situation. A situation you can’t work in and finally that you can’t live in with this tension, abuse. Small humiliations. It all starts out on a scale so subtle, so microscopic that at first you can’t really believe it’s happening at all. But gradually the thing begins to take shape. The pieces fit together – all the little bits. And it becomes unmistakable. They chip away at your pride, your security until you begin to have doubts, and then fears.” – Bill Briggs

Number of Times Seen – 1 (11 Nov 2020)

Brief Synopsis – After a new executive is brought into a successful business, he quickly sees the way that the boss manipulates other executives which gives him a conflict of conscience.

My Take on it – This is a film that I never had heard about until I recently saw a documentary about the life and work of Rod Serling.

This is such a gripping and engaging tale of the corporate war room and is just as relevant today as it was nearly 65 years ago.

They find such interesting ways to keep things moving along at such a great pace.

The dialogue is able to help enhance the development of the characters to a point where we get a clear idea of who they each are and what they want deep below.

The cast is superbly chosen with Van Heflin and Ed Begley both giving stellar and powerful performances in the lead roles.

The supporting cast are also great and add so much to the look and feel of the corporate world that can easily become a battlefield.

The story is able to create such a thrilling situation within the corporate world and is even further proof of how great a writer Serling was.

He had the ability to take any kind of situation or venue and do magical things with it and this story is no different!

Bottom Line – Such a gripping tale of the boardroom that resonates so well. The story itself is quite engaging and stays that way the whole way through. The dialogue helps develop the personalities of these characters as we get to see who they truly are deep below. The cast is wondrous and add so much to the feel and look of the corporate battlefield. The way that this story creates such a thrilling tale within the corporate world is done so well and is proof of how great a writer Serling could be in just about any venue or situation. Highly Recommended!

MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Based on a teleplay by Rod Serling that ran on “Kraft Television Theatre” (1947) in January 1955. It featured several of the same actors that would appear in the movie, including Everett Sloane and Ed Begley. However the part of Fred Staples, the lead, was originated by Richard Kiley. Begley’s character, Bill Briggs, was called Andy Sloane in the original version. Serling’s teleplay won him the first of his six Emmy Awards. (From IMDB)

Rating – Oscar Worthy (9/10)