I was looking around for a film to watch the other night and I immediately thought of "Patterns". It is a brilliant, brilliant depiction of big business ruthlessness that I think is still valid today.
With an incisive script by Rod Serling (who created "The Twilight Zone") - it was initially a TV play. Van Heflin plays Fred Staples with compassion but hardness - he is wonderful in the role. Ed Begley is brilliant as the likable Bill Briggs, who has outlived his usefulness to the company. The real star, in my opinion, is Everett Sloane as Walter Ramsey - the ultimate in ruthlessness. His performance is absolutely riveting - I am surprised "Patterns" didn't win any Oscars for the acting performances. "I didn't hire you to like me!!", "So I'm not nice - so what!!" Beatrice Straight, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in "Network" 20 years later, plays Fred's wife Nancy, whose head is turned by the up market world she is tossed into.
It is the actor's performances that make this film so memorable. William Briggs talking about what life was like when he first started with the company - "the first time I went home I was wearing "spats". My father said "you went to New York to see the sights and now you've become one". Elizabeth Wilson as Brigg's secretary (she is re-assigned to Staples, that is when she realises something is wrong) - she has some excellent scenes as well.
Fred Staples is bought up from Ohio as the bright young hope of the company, although at first he is dazzled by the big New York skyscrapers. He is instantly made welcome by Bill Briggs, who takes him under his wing. Too late Fred realises that he has been brought to New York to take over Bill's job. They share the same ideals and care about people, although Staples is younger and very dynamic and is able to stand up to Ramsey when needed. Ramsey wants Briggs to resign so is constantly cutting him down to size and belittling him in office meetings. As Bill says "a situation is created". Briggs and Staples have been working on a project together but when Ramsey is invited to a cocktail party given by the Staples, Nancy shows Ramsey the project, neglecting to mention Briggs part in the work. Nancy is proving ruthless in her own way.
The film doesn't end the way you would expect but it is extremely satisfying.
With an incisive script by Rod Serling (who created "The Twilight Zone") - it was initially a TV play. Van Heflin plays Fred Staples with compassion but hardness - he is wonderful in the role. Ed Begley is brilliant as the likable Bill Briggs, who has outlived his usefulness to the company. The real star, in my opinion, is Everett Sloane as Walter Ramsey - the ultimate in ruthlessness. His performance is absolutely riveting - I am surprised "Patterns" didn't win any Oscars for the acting performances. "I didn't hire you to like me!!", "So I'm not nice - so what!!" Beatrice Straight, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in "Network" 20 years later, plays Fred's wife Nancy, whose head is turned by the up market world she is tossed into.
It is the actor's performances that make this film so memorable. William Briggs talking about what life was like when he first started with the company - "the first time I went home I was wearing "spats". My father said "you went to New York to see the sights and now you've become one". Elizabeth Wilson as Brigg's secretary (she is re-assigned to Staples, that is when she realises something is wrong) - she has some excellent scenes as well.
Fred Staples is bought up from Ohio as the bright young hope of the company, although at first he is dazzled by the big New York skyscrapers. He is instantly made welcome by Bill Briggs, who takes him under his wing. Too late Fred realises that he has been brought to New York to take over Bill's job. They share the same ideals and care about people, although Staples is younger and very dynamic and is able to stand up to Ramsey when needed. Ramsey wants Briggs to resign so is constantly cutting him down to size and belittling him in office meetings. As Bill says "a situation is created". Briggs and Staples have been working on a project together but when Ramsey is invited to a cocktail party given by the Staples, Nancy shows Ramsey the project, neglecting to mention Briggs part in the work. Nancy is proving ruthless in her own way.
The film doesn't end the way you would expect but it is extremely satisfying.