Patterns (film)

Walter Ramsey, the ruthless head of Ramsey & Company, a Manhattan-based industrial corporation inherited from his father, recruits Fred Staples, a young industrial engineer whose work at an Ohio factory has impressed him, for a senior position at company headquarters. Though Staples is initially unaware, Ramsey is grooming him to replace the aging Bill Briggs as the second-in-command at the company. Briggs has been with the firm for forty years, having worked for and admired the company's founder, Ramsey's father. He cares greatly about his work, regularly prioritizing it above spending time with his teenage son, but his concern for people clashes repeatedly with Ramsey's heartless "modern" approach to business. Not wanting to fire Briggs outright, Ramsey, instead, does everything in his power to sabotage and humiliate Briggs into resigning. The old man stubbornly refuses to give in, but the stress gets to him, and he starts to drink, which does not help his already-deteriorating health. Staples is torn by the messy situation, his sympathy for Briggs in conflict with his ambition, which is supported by his wife. At a board meeting, while discussing a report Briggs and Staples wrote together, Ramsey praises Staples for making Briggs' old, well-intentioned, but unworkable, ideas practical, and there is a heated exchange. Shortly after leaving the room, Briggs collapses, and he soon dies in the hospital. Fed up, Staples goes to tell Ramsey off and announce he is quitting. Ramsey rebukes him, asserting that a corporation like Ramsey & Company needs men with their talent in order to succeed. He offers Briggs' job to Staples at double his present salary, double his stock options, and an unlimited expense account, but Staples resists. Undeterred, Ramsey increases the fever of his pitch, adding that Staples will never be able to reach his full potential anywhere else. When Staples counters that he hates Ramsey and would not be Ramsey's whipping boy, but would constantly argue and fight and try to take the presidency for himself, Ramsey, seemingly energized by someone who can work at his level and challenge him, says he is willing to continue under these conditions. Staples leaves and tells his wife that he is staying on, as that way there is at least a chance he can influence things for the better. ==Cast==

Critical response In a 2002 review on ''Ozus' World Movie Reviews'', film critic Dennis Schwartz gave the film an "A" grade and highly praised it, writing: :"Patterns is based on the teleplay of Rod Serling which was aired live on TV in January of 1955 on Kraft Television Theatre, and was so-well received that it was repeated four weeks later. That was something not done during that period. This brilliant script by the creator of the Twilight Zone, Rod Serling, is considered by many as the finest piece of writing he has ever done and brought him instant acclaim. It is ably directed by Fielder Cook [...] The ensemble cast is superb, with special kudos to Van Heflin, Ed Begley, Beatrice Straight and Everett Sloane. This is Van Heflin's finest role since Shane (1953)." Added Schwartz: :"It's a forceful melodrama, that takes the viewer into the pits of a big corporation's board room politics, backstabbing, and the tough way of doing business. Things have changed since the 1950s which make some things outdated, but the film still has its finger on the savage nature of the business world. Even when a company is not as corrupt as an Enron, people are still perceived as secondary to making a profit no matter what." ==See also==