The CEO of a large furniture manufacturer wires his secretary to keep the executives late for a meeting and drops dead on his way to the train. Almost immediately, the backbiting begins as those directly below him jockey for his job, among them a heartless numbers man (Frederic March), an unscrupulous exec (Walter Pidgeon), a Charles Eames like innovater (William Holden), and the majority shareholder and daughter of the founder (Barbara Stanwyck) who could prove to be the wild card for all involved. "Executive Suite" is a stark and measured film from director Robert Wise, filmed without a soundtrack, and featuring fine performances from its notable cast. Although it is not quite as scathing as it could have been it remains completely relevant in this era of heightened corporate greed.
