Executive Suite
| Executive Suite | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Robert Wise |
| Produced by | John Houseman |
| Written by | Cameron Hawley (novel), Ernest Lehman |
| Starring | William Holden Barbara Stanwyck Frederic March Walter Pidgeon |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date(s) |  6 May 1954 |
| Running time | 104 min. |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Executive Suite is a 1954 MGM drama film depicting the transfer of power in a corporation in trouble. The film stars William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Fredric March, and Walter Pidgeon. It was directed by Robert Wise and produced by John Houseman from a screenplay by Ernest Lehman based on the novel of the same name by Cameron Hawley. The cinematography was by George J. Folsey and the costume design by Helen Rose.
It is one of the few Hollywood films with no music whatsoever.
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Plot
Avery Bullard, president and driving force of the Tredway Corporation, dies at a critical time. Bullard had lost his way in recent years and the furniture manufacturing company had steadily lost ground to the competition. But he had not groomed a successor, so the board of directors must vote for his replacement.
The frontrunner is the ambitious but unimaginative Loren Shaw (Fredric March), a senior executive concerned more with profitability and satisfying the stockholders than rejuvenating the company. He has the backing of the main shareholder, Julia Tredway (Barbara Stanwyck), who had been hopelessly in love with Bullard. In addition, board member George Caswell (Louis Calhern) offers his support in return for certain lucrative considerations.
The only viable alternative is idealistic young engineer Don Walling (William Holden), who isn't even sure he wants the job. He would rather spend his time developing new products and more efficient manufacturing methods, and his wife Mary (June Allyson) is strongly against his giving up that dream to take a new position inside the executive suite.
Walling is supported by company vice president Frederick Alderson (Walter Pidgeon), Bullard's best friend, who sees Walling as the best hope for saving the company but fears he might be a good five years too young for the job. Board member Jesse Grimm (Dean Jagger) is opposed to Walling for reasons of his own while Walt Dudley (Paul Douglas) is being blackmailed by Shaw, who has caught him red-handed having an affair.
The machinations, bargaining and maneuvering leading up to the election propel the plot. In the end, Walling's enthusiasm and vision win over Julia Tredway, the others jump on the bandwagon, and he is elected.
Cast
- William Holden as McDonald "Don" Walling
- Barbara Stanwyck as Julia O. Tredway
- Fredric March as Loren Phineas Shaw
- Walter Pidgeon as Frederick Y. Alderson
- Paul Douglas as J. Walter Dudley
- Louis Calhern as George Nyle Caswell
- Dean Jagger as Jesse Q. Grimm
- June Allyson as Mary Blemond Walling
- Nina Foch as Erica Martin
- Shelley Winters as Eva Bardeman
Awards and nominations
The film received four Academy Award nominations:
- Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nina Foch)
- Best Art Direction (Cedric Gibbons)
- Best Cinematography
- Best Costume Design
The film also received two BAFTA Awards nominations:
- Best Film from any source
- Best Actor (Frederic March)
The film won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival for best ensemble acting for the entire cast.
External links
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