Based on a very successful Broadway comedy of the 1960s, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING was a marvelous look at climbing the corporate ladder at the height of American Business Success (from 1945 to 1970). Instead of climbing by means of showing superior executive abilities, the successful climbers make it by back stabbing, ass-licking, and trickery. The hero of the fable is window washer J. Pierpont Finch, who is played by Robert Morse (who played the role on Broadway). Morse purchases a pamphlet entitled "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying". Throughout the musical and movie we see Finch making his plans while reading the pamphlet, hearing a voice over telling us what he's reading. He starts off in the mail room, and quickly becomes a friend of the retiring mail room head, but also meets his arch-nemesis Bud Frump (Anthony Teague). Throughout the film Bud constantly tries to thwart the rise of Finch, but while his schemes seem fool-proof, Finch constantly outwits him.

Complicating the story is the behavior of the President of the firm, Jasper B. Bigley (Rudy Vallee). Vallee too played the eccentric millionaire on stage - and it is wonderful that both these performances are preserved, for Vallee's greatest film performance is as Bigley - the "old Groundhog" supporter of his alma mater "Old Ivy", as well as the man who relieves his tensions by either going out with his mistress Hedy LaRue (Maureen Arthur),or by knitting covers for his golf clubs.

Finch too finds romance with Rosemary (Michel Lee),a secretary at the corporate giant WORLD WIDE WICKETS. But will he be single minded in his determination to rise to the top, or will he take time out to marry the girl he loves? A splendid spoof, which while exaggerated does suggest more of the reasons for promotions in the corporate and real world than we care to acknowledge usually.

This is an interesting musical. Unlike many movies that were originally Broadway musicals, this film does little to try to make it look like a movie. Instead, it plays a lot like watching a play--complete with many musical and dancing numbers where you can easily see how it was performed on stage. Now this is NOT meant an a negative--just stating how it's almost like watching a filmed version of the play. And, because of this, the sets are often very surreal--like sets from a play that are easily moved and disassembled. And, if you are interested, this play is currently playing on Broadway--with Daniel Radcliff in the revival. I am not sure if tickets are now so expensive because of its star or because it's a darn good musical--but I suspect it's both.

The innocuous looking Robert Morse stars in the film (he played the same role on stage previously). He's a very, very cynical young man who used a book entitled "How To Succeed in Business"--and follows it for his meteoric rise through the ranks of a corporation. In fact, in only a matter of days, he moves from the mail room to a vice president...and his stock keeps on rising. Along the way are a lot of peppy and cynical songs--my favorite of which is "A Secretary is NOT a Toy" though "I Believe in You" has become a standard. And, to get ahead, he sucks up, manipulates and lies--all which the movie seems to heartily endorse, as in every case Morse is wildly successful! As a result, it's a funny comedy and ultimate movie for cynics! I thoroughly enjoyed it--and I really don't even like musicals all that much! Apart from good songs, a fun and goofy plot and good acting, the film manages to be entertaining and new. There just aren't any other films like it--and it's a bit surprising that it didn't make Morse a star, as he was very good here. Ironically, he's been brought back to the small screen for a recurring role on "Mad Men"--a drama that seems, at times, inspired by this film.

By the way, George Fenneman plays himself. If you wonder why his face is familiar, he was the announcer for the TV show "You Bet Your Life". Also, doesn't the boss' nephew look a LOT like a 1960s version of Napoleon Dynamite?! Look at him yourself--you'll see what I mean.

J. Pierpont Finch (Robert Morse) is a lowly window washer in NYC. He buys the book "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and starts following it up the corporate ladder at The World Wide Wicket Company. Secretary Rosemary Pilkington (Michele Lee) tries to be kind to the bumbling Ponty. J.B. Biggley (Rudy Vallee) is the company big boss. Bud Frump (Anthony Teague) is Biggley's incompetent nephew who battles Ponty as his rival. Biggley gets a job for his young squeeze, the dumb bombshell Hedy LaRue.

This is definitely still filled with its Broadway musical sensibilities and the age which it's trying to spoof. The workplace jokes don't translate well over the years. The songs aren't very catchy or the least memorable. The dances are not so exciting. The style is particularly dated which is actually a little bit fascinating. Humor is something very peculiar. With the exception of slapstick, it can go out of date from one era to the next. This is like a time capsule to be seen by people for what was funny at a certain time. It's basically a Mad Men satire.