Executive Suite

Year: 1954

Grade: A-

Country: USA

Director: Wise

Review

second time i’ve seen this one. story about a furniture company that loses its president and faces a choice about the path it wants to take in the future. william holden is the dynamic dreamer who wants to make great furniture and have a sense of pride in the work he’s making. fredric march is the penny pinching spreadsheet type who wants to make the company profitable and appealing to its shareholders above all. it’s interesting not just because of the money/pride battle that goes on, but also because, even in 1953, they were already talking about a turn towards less quality products for the sake of saving money. we normally glorify the time as a golden age when america still made great things, but the film seems to counter that view a bit; or, at least, be prescient about the downfall of that paradigm. great film.