One of the greatest cold war pictures. However this one almost strikes a balance, there is evil in both ideologies. Sure, commies are a bad and ruthless bunch but so can the mother of a much decorated war hero be as well. After the much despised by his troops Captain Raymond Shaw returns from the Korean War as a decorated hero, the other members of his platoon can’t really remember what he did to win his medal. Two of the soldiers start having recurring nightmares, nightmares involving greenhouses, older ladies discussing gardening and brainwashing, and a murder. One of the soldiers decides to investigate Raymond’s current activities. What dark and sinister secrets are being withheld by the Government and the Army?

I cannot imagine that I will get to much protest over this remark but I am going to say this out loud. This was probably Frank Sinatra’s best performance, just above his work as Maggio in From Here To Eternity. As Sergeant (then Captain) Raymond Shaw Lawrence Harvey is perfect as the easily manipulated weakling. Angela Lansbury as Raymond’s mother is tremendous in a role that Frank Sinatra had wanted to go to Lucille Ball (could have been an incredible disaster or the most genius stroke of casting ever). At only three years older than Lawrence Harvey, this is probably one of the most frightening portrayals of a domineering mother ever filmed. James Gregory is right on target as Senator John Iselin, Raymond’s stepfather and a Eugene McCarthy like rabid commie hater (with a drinking problem and a difficulty remembering numbers). This is the granddaddy of all conspiracy movies and you will never look at playing Solitaire in the same way ever again.

A great deal of this picture was shot here in New York. Raymond’s apartment, both exteriors and interiors, is located at 67 Riverside Drive (79th Street). One scene was filmed at the Bar and Grill that Frank Sinatra’s friend and bodyguard Jilly Rizzo owned at 8th Avenue and 52nd Street. There is lots of footage of the old Madison Square Garden, both interior and exterior, on 8th Avenue and 50th street. There are a good deal of shots of Central Park. Raymond and Marco’s journey through the park does not accurately reflect the real layout of the park, but only about 8 million people would know it.

Saturday February 28th at 12:15 AM on Turner Classic Movies

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