Executive Suite Blu-ray Review
“Executive Suite” is a star studded drama.
Based on the novel by Cameron Hawley and adapted for the screen by Ernest Lehman, 1954’s “Executive Suite” is a New York set ensemble drama set in the world of business. The story begins via a first person perspective of the furniture manufacturing company Tredway Corp. President (Avery Bullard). He sets up an executive board meeting and is about to head to it until he drops dead in the street. As a result of his death (which none of the board members know initially), the meeting is canceled and a mad scramble to elect a new President is about to take place. Among the candidates are Don Walling (a VP designer), Loren Shaw (controller), Julia Tredway (the heir), Josiah Dudley (VP of Sales), Jesse Grim (VP for Manufacturing), Frederick Alderson (VP/Treasurer) and board member George Caswell. Who will be the victor and how will it affect the company moving forward?
The late great director Robert Wise had a long varied career having helmed everything from musicals like “The Sound Of Music” to sci-fi films such as “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.” With “Executive Suite,” he helms a drama set in the world of business. In many ways, this feels like a precursor to “Succession” ; only this story was told in 103 minutes. It’s a very talky and stagy production with a lot of business jargon, stressed out executives, relationship drama, and, of course, plenty of scenes involving characters plotting and scheming. It can be a bit on the stiff side at times as much of the power struggle story bides its time until the board room meeting to determine a President, but with such a stacked cast, you likely won’t mind.
On the subject of the cast, it’s as good as it gets with the likes of William Holden, Barbara Stanwyck, Shelley Winters, Frederic March, Walter Pidgeon, June Allyson and Nina Foch (who earned an Oscar nomination for her work here). As someone who thinks Holden is one of the best actors period, it’s always a pleasure to see the veteran actor at work. It’s easy to predict where his character arc is headed, but it doesn’t make it any less impactful. Stanwyck is another Hollywood legend and she gets her chance to shine her as Julia Tredway. Really, everyone here delivers a noteworthy performance. It’s the type of movie in which the cast can really shine in due to the wordy nature of the project.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.75:1 1080p. How does it look? The B&W film gets a clean hi-def transfer courtesy of the fine folks at Warner Archive.
Audio Track: 2.0 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? The 2.0 track is a little on the soft side, but it’s still adequate.
Extras:
* Commentary by Oliver Stone.
* Original theatrical trailer.
* “Tom And Jerry” cartoon titled “Hic-Cup Pup.”
* “Do Someone A Favor” short film.
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