Backdrop preview The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit backdrop
The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968)

Dec 16, 1968 1h 53m Drama Family Comedy

Frederick Bolton has to solve two problems. First, his boss has instructed him to come up with a reasonable campaign to promote a new product, a stomach pill named "Aspercel" - by tomorrow. The second problem is Fred's daugther, Helen. She is absolutely fond of horses, takes riding classes and has already had decent success in some competitions. Her biggest wish is to own a horse herself, a dream her father cannot afford at all. Now Fred tries to solve both problems at once by simply combining them: A horse named "Aspercel", ridden by his daugther should bring the name of the pill into the papers and make Helen happy, too. But there's still one more obstacle: Helen and Aspercel of course have to win a few prices to make this idea work...

Directed by Norman Tokar

Cast

View All
Lloyd Bochner
View Profile
Lloyd Bochner

as Archer Madison

Ellen Janov
View Profile
Ellen Janov

as Helen Bolton

Morey Amsterdam
View Profile
Morey Amsterdam

as Charlie Blake

Kurt Russell
View Profile
Kurt Russell

as Ronnie Gardner

Fred Clark
View Profile
Fred Clark

as Tom Dungan

Diane Baker
View Profile
Diane Baker

as Suzie 'S.J' Clemens

Dean Jones
View Profile
Dean Jones

as Fredrick 'Fred' Bolton

Norman Grabowski
View Profile
Norman Grabowski

as Truck Driver

Crew

Director
  • Norman Tokar
Writer
  • Louis Pelletier
Producer
  • Winston Hibler

Reviews

r96sk
7/10

Straightforward and pretty predictable, but <em>'The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit'</em> is still a film I enjoyed watching.

Dean Jones is always fun to watch, that's no different here as he portrays Fred. Diane Baker is also up to scratch as Suzie. Ellen Janov (Helen) and Kurt Russell (Ronnie) make for suitable child actors, while Fred Clark plays the role of Tom well. It's the cast that's most likeable about this film.

Plot-wise it's good, the pacing is solid as is the score. Perhaps the run time could've been slightly shorter, but that's not really a serious criticism of mine to be honest. It's all worth a view.

Jul 31, 2020

Sign in to leave a review.

Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Norman Tokar brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1968, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit took approximately 21 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 113 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
  • The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.

Historical Context

  • In 1968, when this film was released:
  • The space race between the USSR and USA was at its height.
  • The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
  • The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: December 16, 1968
  • Runtime: 1h 53m

Similar Movies