Manchurian Candidate 1962 is based on a novel by Richard Condon.

Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey are the stars – Sinatra is excellent.

But Harvey is a huge mistake – Born in Lithuania – raised in South Africa – considered to be a British movie star – he struggles with every bit of dialogue trying to sound like a native American – but fails.

The story starts during the Korea War in 1952 – Sinatra plays an Army captain in charge of a 9-man squad heading out on a mission – Harvey plays a sergeant under his command – their interpreter conspires with the Commies – and the outfit walks into an ambush – they’re captured by Communist soldiers and choppered to Manchuria.

There – a “witch doctor” from the Pavlovian Institute brainwashes the soldiers into believing that Harvey single-handedly saved the squad and led them out of captivity – he returns to America a hero – winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Angela Lansbury plays Harvey’s mother – she’s married to a senator with presidential aspirations – and she pulls the strings for a Communist takeover of the presidency.

Sinatra becomes an Army intelligence officer who tries to de-program Harvey.

Janet Leigh gets a top-billing – but adds nothing to the movie – they coulda used my Aunt Tillie.

Henry Silva – James Gregory – John  McGiver – and Leslie Parrish play important roles.

The plot’s good and pretty consistent with Richard Condon’s novel.

The brainwashing is similar to being hypnotized – playing solitaire and seeing a queen triggers Harvey to follow suggestions.

My name’s Barry Bowe – I’m America’s Best Crime Writer – and my classic outlaw biker saga Born to Be Wild is available at Amazon and Kindle – get your copy while the supply lasts.

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