Movies
Manchurian Candidate, The (United Artists 1962, Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey)
Among the most lauded political thrillers of all time, The Manchurian Candidate was amazingly prescient in light of the recent attraction of conspiracy theories.
Korean War hero Laurence Harvey is a brainwashed human time bomb engineered to further a hidden Communist takeover, with Sinatra the one man who stands in his way.
A mix of black-comic political satire (James Gregory, in his finest performance as a Joe McCarthy-like demagogue) and an energetic, violent, and disturbing exercise in suspense, the film has resonance like few others of its time. Perhaps the finest work by director John David Amram. Not to be missed. Based on Richard Condon’s harrowing novel.
The Manchurian Candidate was largely unavailable for 25 years due to a dispute between United Artists and Frank Sinatra, who held a controlling interest in the film. While it was not shown theatrically, it did play occasionally on TV.
Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress: Angela Lansbury.
Academy Award Nominations: Best Film Editing; Best Supporting Actress for Angela Lansbury.
production details
USA | United Artists | 126 minutes | 1962
Director: John Frankenheimer
Script: George Axelrod, Richard Condon,
cast
Arthur Tovey as Second Reporter
Paul Frees as Narrator (voice)
Bert Stevens as Officer
Janet Leigh as Eugenie Rose Chaney
Leslie Parrish as Jocelyn Jordan
Henry Silva as Chunjin
John McGiver as Sen. Thomas Jordan
Laurence Harvey as Raymond Shaw
Khigh Dhiegh as Dr. Yen Lo
Douglas Henderson as Col. Milt
Frank Sinatra as Capt./Maj. Bennett Marco
Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Iselin
James Gregory as Sen. John Yerkes Iselin
James Edwards as Cpl. Allen Melvin
Albert Paulsen as Zilkov
Barry Kelley as Secretary of Defense
Lloyd Corrigan as Holborn Gaines
Madame Spivy as Female Berezovo
Bess Flowers as Woman in Dream Sequence
Leoda Richards as Woman at Press Confrence
Reggie Nalder as Gomel
Colin Kenny as Senator (uncredited)
Whit Bissell as Medical Officer