The High Cost Of Loving (1958)

When the company he works for is taken over by a huge conglomerate, an executive (Jose Ferrer) hopes for a promotion. But when he isn't invited to a luncheon thrown for the executive staff, he fears he's going to be let go. Directed by Jose Ferrer, this subtle satire on corporate politics is mildly amusing. It's a slight film but it captures the frustration and panic of working in the corporate world where your job is at the whims of whomever pulls the strings. I'm not a fan of Jose Ferrer who can be as scenery chewing as a Rod Steiger or Lee J. Cobb but he's on target here. As his wife, Gena Rowlands (in her film debut) is breathtakingly beautiful but fortunately Ferrer doesn't use her merely for her looks. She brings a sensible calm to contrast to Ferrer's nervous energy. Shot in B&W, Ferrer and his cinematographer George J. Folsey (FORBIDDEN PLANET) make excellent use of the CinemaScope frame. With Jim Backus, Bobby Troup, Joanne Gilbert, Nancy Kulp, Edward Platt and Abby Dalton.