Patterns

Having recently watched this version of "Patterns" on YouTube, I suppose I should not have been surprised that a year later it was made into a major film, with a Hollywood actor in one of the lead roles - Van Heflin instead of Richard Kiley as "Fred Staples". Everett Sloane and Ed Begley played the same parts that they did in the television play, although the name of Ed Begley's character was changed from "Andy Sloane" to "Bill Biggs". The name of Everett's Sloane's character stayed the same.

Anyone who wants to watch this film on YouTube, or look it up on IMDB, the title for the film version is: "Patterns of Power". It was also ably directed by Fielder Cook, better known for such films as: "Big Deal at Dodge City", "Prudence and the Pill", "How to Save a Marriage and Ruin Your Life", and many other good television productions.

The studio knew they could do more with the production. But despite having more backing and could afford more cutting-edge production values and camera work - this was shown in the style of acting and the camera angles used in the film - one should not forget about the original teleplay of the Kraft Theatre version, which was first broadcasted live on NBC in January 1955. This was the pioneer version, which was able to prove that such a good story could work quite well in film.

This, the original play, opened as another working day at "Ramsay & Company." But it is to be no ordinary working day. A new, younger executive is joining the company. A man who has been headhunted from a failing company that been taken over.

At a board meeting, it soon becomes clear that the characters played by Everrett Sloane and Ed Begley both hate each other. They seem to have been with the company right from the start, having known each other for 24 years, and they both resent each other's position. Begley frowns at Sloane's ruthless, undeserved rise to the top; and Sloane despises what he sees as Begley's more practical and compassionate views being a disguise for weakness and lack of vision.

Later it also becomes clear that Everrett Sloane intends to use "Staples" to replace the Ed Begley character, by making the atmosphere more difficult for him to work in, forcing him to resign. All this results in Begley collapsing from overwork, and pressure caused by Everett Sloane's constant bullying.

Although every story has a moral, this story seems to have two:

One moral is: that no matter how long and hard you work, there will always someone that will say that it is not good enough.

The other moral is: that business does not always allow practicality nor compassion. There is always a bigger picture to consider.

Sometimes there is a need to sacrifice the jobs of 200 workers in order to save 2000 (usually in one of the Board of Directors home town). However, the play suggests that greed, selfishness and a lust for power are more nearer the truth.

Apart from the invention of the Internet, photocopiers, emails, laptops and mobile phones, very little has changed in business since this play was first broadcasted in 1955.

Both the play and the film provide a lesson to us all, especially those who been in a similar situation at work.

I have given the 1956 film 10 out of 10 for its production, and I give this television play 10 out of 10 as well.

Like so many of the best films of the 1950s, this one started out as a teleplay that was broadcast live on television. While the idea of doing live original theater on TV may seem impossibly daunting, there were many wonderful TV shows of the era that did just that--broadcasting brilliant scripts and starring some of the best actors available. Fortunately, some of these still exist, as they were copied using a Kinescope for rebroadcast on the West Coast (due to time zone differences). However, these Kinescopes are pretty ugly copies--but at least they do exist. Oddly, however, very few of these are available on DVD today and I am thrilled that Criterion has released this small collection of the best of these shows.

I have already seen the movie version of "Patterns" and was surprised that much of the cast repeated their roles on film. Aside from a lead change (the TV version starred Richard Kiley and the movie starred Van Heflin), the other two main roles (Ed Begley and Everett Sloane) were reprised--which is fortunate, as both were terrific. Oddly, Begley played a very sad and likable guy--a bit of a departure from his usual parts. As for Sloan, he played a despicable man--and did a great job of it.

The teleplay begins at a corporation. Sloan is the boss and is making various decisions--one after the other. Then, the scene abruptly switches to Kiley--who is preparing for his first day as an executive with the corporation. He's eager but nervous. However, his nervousness soon turns to horror as he watches the boss behave in a cruel and vindictive manner--attacking the sweet-natured guy played by Begley. What has Kiley walked into here?! See it for yourself, as it's a very dark and gritty piece--and one of the best teleplays. In fact, I even think it's a bit better than the subsequent movie. Exceptional acting, writing and direction--this is some production. You'll particularly like watching Sloane's amazing performance.

This show was so well received when it aired that it was re-aired just a few weeks later--something unheard of at the time. In addition, the writer, Rod Serling, received an Emmy for the show and the film version came out just a year later.