MovieChat Forums > Patterns (1956) Discussion > Serling Grand Slam

Serling Grand Slam

posted 15 years ago by maestro-45
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Rod Serling was one of the most gifted writers TV ever produced. With Patterns Serling hit a massive Grand Slam, created one of the greatest dramas ever on the tube. Not just a study in power, it is an expose of human nature, showing just how beastly one man can be to another and prosper because of it. Everett Sloan is a monster, but one who is irresistibly attractive. Despite causing the death of Ed Begley by goading him into a heart attack, he is able to seduce Van Heflin into staying with him. Huh? How the hell did that happen? The cast is brilliant, the story is terrific, everything in Patterns works, and if Serling never did anything else this masterpiece is good enough to put on his tombstone.

[–] raketex 14 years ago

I didn't know Serling did the screenplay for this until after the fact, but even while watching the movie I could tell the dialogue and vicious bantering back and forth was something special. It should have registered.

For another Serling classic (which once again I didn't know until after the fact but should have just recognized for its superlative dialogue, story, and pacing), get thee a copy of "Seven Days in May." A great performance by one of my favorite actors, Burt "James MaTOON Scott" Lancaster. An older Frederic March does his consistently exemplary work, too.

[–] KutWrite (1334) 7 years ago

Yes, that was excellent.

I liked "Requiem for a Heavyweight," too.

That ending still gives me heart pangs.

The TV version was good, but I prefer the one with Jackie Gleeson. The villain(ess) is great, too: Madame Spivy as a tough bull dyke mob boss! Also Stanley Adams as another mob guy... pre "Cyrano Jones."

https://youtu.be/SIoaMq1y48s