The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

My Review

“The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” is a drama film about a World War II veteran making his way in life dealing with a job, family issues, and problems from the war such as PTSD and an out-of-wedlock son he fathered while stationed in Italy. Director-screenwriter Nunnally Johnson (“Black Widow” 1954) put together an engrossing film taking a look at the multi-faceted life of a man in modern America. This well-orchestrated movie with marvelous production values has a smooth and fast moving 153 minute running time. It was adapted from the 1955 novel of the same name by Sloan Wilson.

Gregory Peck is outstanding in the lead role, one of many superb performances of his career. Co-stars include Jennifer Jones as his wife, Fredric March as his boss, Marisa Pavan as his Italian paramour, Lee J. Cobb as a judge and family attorney, Keenan Wynn as his army sergeant, Portland Mason, Sandy Descher, and Mickey Maga as his three children, as well as Gene Lockhart, Ann Harding, Arthur O’Connell, Gigi Perreau, Henry Daniell, Connie Gilchrist, and Joseph Sweeney. Several future stars appearing in uncredited cameos include DeForest Kelley, Neville Brand, Johnny Crawford, Robert Fuller, Roy Glenn, Nan Martin, and Kenneth Tobey.

The very watchable film classic “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” was popular at the box office for producer Darryl F. Zanuck and 20th Century Fox. Hollywood just doesn’t make classy and substantive motion pictures like this anymore.