The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Yeah, it really needed the 2004 remake. Not.

the most unusual thing about this movie to me is that it was directed by John Frankenheimer, a director not known for suspense thrillers. I think it's a shame that Angela Lansbury didn't win a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as Laurence Harvey's mother. Frankenheimer was a television director in the 1950s era of live television. In movies he worked mainly with Burt Lancaster, with whom he made 5 movies including Birdman of Alcatraz.

A classic, and it did NOT need that remake.

Classic movie, it was odd that Angela Lansbury played Lawrence Harvey's mother when she was 37 and he was 34.

Great, great movie. Ahead of its time. Adroit mix of suspense, comedy, and tragedy. A classic for the garden club scene alone. Not as well-known or appreciated as it should be.