Business Ethics in Motion Pictures - Saint Louis University

Emerson Center for 

Business Ethics 

Saint Louis University 

334 Cook Hall 

3674 Lindell Avenue 

Saint Louis, Missouri 

63108 

ph (314) 977-3854 

fax (314) 977-1647 

ecbe@slu.edu 

http://ecbe.slu.edu 

Business Ethics in Motion Pictures 

prepared by Elizabeth Hilton & Jutta Nenninger 

Contents 

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL? ………………2 

CLASS ACTION 

DISCLOSURE 

PHILADELPHIA 

SCHINDLER’S LIST 

DARK SECRETS………………………….4 

CHINA SYNDROME 

QUIZ SHOW 

SILKWOOD 

FAMILY TIES…………………………….7 

CITY OF HOPE 

THE LITTLE FOXES 

HAVE I GOT A DEAL FOR YOU………8 

CADILLAC MAN 

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS 

TIN MEN 

HOT OFF THE PRESSES……………...10 

ABSENCE OF MALICE 

BROADCAST NEWS 

CITIZEN KANE 

NETWORK 

THE PAPER 

LET’S PLAY BALL !…………………..13 

EIGHT MEN OUT 

HOOP DREAMS 

THE PROGRAM 

MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER’S 

WEALTH?…………………………………16 

THE HUDSUCKER PROXY 

OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY 

ROGER & ME 

WALL STREET 

MOVIN’ ON UP……………………………19 

NINE TO FIVE 

STRICTLY BUSINESS 

WORKING GIRL 

NEGOTIATE, BARGAIN, STRIKE…….21 

HOFFA 

NORMA RAE 

ON THE WATERFRONT 

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN………..23 

FAT MAN AND LITTLE BOY 

GUNG HO 

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON 

RISING SUN 

TUCKER: THE MAN AND HIS DREAM 

BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………27 

Business Ethics in Motion Pictures, Page 1 of 27, December 1996




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AND JUSTICE FOR ALL? 

Class Action 

A negligent automobile maker hires a woman, Maggie Ward (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), to 

defend its position against a consumer advocate attorney who also happens to be Maggie’s father. 

On a personal level, the two play a game of wits to outdo each other and to chalk one up for their 

client. She feels her father’s “under dog” support is a way to build up his own self esteem. He 

feels his daughter’s support is too vigorous for big business. This illustrates a conflict between an 

attorney’s oath to provide vigorous legal representation and the obligation as a human being to 

protect each other from harm. 

Questions that make you think... 

To what degree does an attorney have to set aside personal biases to vigorously defend the client? 

What is the effect of sexual harassment or romantic involvement between a superior and 

subordinate in the workplace? 

Does a company have an obligation to disclose a product’s potential dangers to its customers? 

Drama, 1991 

Rated R, Color, 109 minutes 

Director Michael Apted 

Film Facts 

Credits Colin Friels Michael Grazier 

Gene Hackman Jedediah Tucker Ward 

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio Maggie Ward 

Joanna Merlin Estelle Ward 

Disclosure 

Disclosure, adapted from Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name, takes the audience into the 

dark side of corporate America. Tom Sanders (Michael Douglas) is a happily married man with 

two children and a promising career at Digicom, a high-tech computer company. Sanders is in 

the running for a major promotion, which would make him a fortune in stock options. 

Sanders is shocked when someone from the outside gets the position instead. He is even more 

surprised when he finds out Meredith Johnson (Demi Moore), a former lover, is the outside 

person. 

Johnson invites Sanders up to her office for an after hours meeting and tries to seduce him. 

Things get out of hand, but Sanders ultimately resists Johnson’s advances. Johnson files sexual 

harassment charges against Sanders. An outraged Sanders files a counter suit. Digicom’s 

management supports Johnson and tries to force Sanders out. Sanders becomes involved in a web 

of business politics and secrets orchestrated by the company’s CEO (Donald Sutherland). 

In the end, Disclosure focuses more on office politics, greed, and corporate set-ups, than sexual 

harassment. 





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Questions to make you think… 

How should an employee handle sexual advances by a superior? Should management always 

take the side of the women in cases of sexual harassment? Is sexual harassment in the work 

place more about power or sex? 

In the age of electronic communication, what should a company do to avoid employees abusing 

the e-mail system? 

How far should management go to force an employee out? 

Drama, 1994 


Director Barry Levinson 

Film Facts 

Credits Michael Douglas Tom Sanders 

Caroline Goodall Susan Hendler 

Roma Maffia Catherine Alvarez 

Dennis Miller Mark Lewyn 

Demi Moore Meredith Johnson 

Donald Sutherland Bob Garvin 

Philadelphia 

A timely film with AIDS related illnesses affecting more people than ever. Living in 

Philadelphia, this is the story of a young, homosexual attorney, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) 

who is HIV positive. Hiding the symptoms of Karposi’s Syndrome and seeing his doctors during 

his vacation, Andrew is sure his secret will not be revealed to his law firm. However, soon after 

his medical record mysteriously disappears, he is abruptly fired for incompetence. 

Andrew decides to sue his former employer, Charles Wheeler (Jason Robards), for 

discrimination. No attorney will take his case, however, except an ambulance chasing JD named 

Joe Miller (Denzel Washington). Reluctant at first, Miller eventually forms a deep bond with 

Andrew and successfully litigates the case in Andrew’s favor. 


Is a business ethically responsible for prohibiting discrimination? 

Does the legal system have a greater burden to act legally than another business? 

Does the attorney’s oath to maintain confidentially disappear in matters involving employees 

(who are not clients of the law firm)? 

Should a medical condition affect employment? 





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Drama, 1995 

Rated PG 13, Color, 119 minutes 

Director Jonathan Demme 

Film Facts 

Credits Antonio Banderas Miguel Alvarez 

Tom Hanks Andrew Beckett 

Ron Vawter Bob Seidman 

Denzel Washington Joe Miller 

Schindler’s List 

This highly acclaimed movie (winning seven Academy Awards) is the fact based story of Oskar 

Schindler (Liam Neeson). In the early 1940’s, he goes into business producing pots and pans for 

the German troops. Ironically, Schindler uses the cheap labor of Hitler’s condemned Jews to run 

his factory. Schindler’s plan is to make money but as time goes on and Schindler witnesses the 

atrocities and inhumanity of the Nazis to the Jews, he becomes emotionally and personally 

involved in maintaining the business to protect his Jewish workers. 


To what degree ethically may a business use its employees? 

Who has more to gain or to lose - - a large well to do company or its individual employees? 

Is an opportunistic business ethical for getting rich at the expense of slave labor? 

Historical/Drama, 1993 

Rated R, Color and Black & White, 185 minutes 

Director Steven Spielberg 

Film Facts 

Credits Ralph Fiennes Amon Goeth 

Caroline Goodall Emilie Schindler 

Ben Kinglsey Itzhak Stern 

Liam Neeson Oskar Schindler 

DARK SECRETS 

China Syndrome 

Despite a motion picture cast with well known actors and actresses, this movie should not be 

called top quality. Nevertheless, it is of interest as it questions various business ethical points. 

Also, its timing was unnerving as the plot parallels an actual event (the Three Mile Island 

disaster) that occurred within weeks of China Syndrome’s release. 

The story focuses on Kimberly Wells (played by Jane Fonda) an eager, energetic TV reporter and 

her camera man Richard Adams (Michael Douglas). They are in the process of investigating the 

nuclear power industry and specifically a plant in California. Also instrumental in the plot is Jack 

Lemmon, the plant engineer whose quick actions prohibit a nuclear meltdown at one of the 

plants. The executives attempt to cover up the incident and Jack Lemmon’s efforts to be honest 

with the public result in Lemmon’s death at the hands of the police. 





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Does a company have an obligation to be honest and truthful during/after a crisis? 

What is the public willing to sacrifice for inexpensive, available energy? other inexpensive 

products? 

What information does the public have a right to know? (Consider as another example: 

genetically engineered foods.) 

Drama, 1979 

Rated PG, Color, 123 minutes 

Director James Bridges 

Film Facts 

Credits Wilford Brimley Ted Spindler 

Michael Douglas Richard Adams 

Jane Fonda Kimberly Wells 

Jack Lemmon Jack Godell 

Quiz Show 

The early television game shows tested the contestant’s knowledge, at least that is what the public 

thought. Quiz Show details the game show scandal of the 1950’s focusing on “Twenty-One”. 

Charles Van Doren (Ralph Finnes), of the prominent Van Doren literary family, auditioned for 

Tic-Tac-Dough, another NBC quiz show, but Dan Enright (David Paymer) and Albert Freedman 

(Frank Azaria), the producers of “Twenty-One.” believed Van Doren was just the kind of person 

America wanted to see win on “Twenty-One.” 

Charles needed to defeat the current champion, Herbert Stempel (John Turturro), whose ratings 

had begun to plateau. Enright and Freedman made sure Van Doren would be the winner. The 

ratings soared, NBC and Geritol (the sponsor of “Twenty-One”) were thrilled, Herbert Stempel 

was not. 

Questions were raised about the game shows being fixed and a congressional oversight 

committee investigator, Dick Goodwin (Rob Morrow), decided to put television on trial. 

What is a company’s obligation to the public? 


If the public appears to be happy with a product (i.e. a game show contestant) is the company 

providing a service to the public by ensuring the success of the product (contestant)? 

If an organization uses sponsors, how much of an influence should the sponsors have over the 

organization? 

What motivates and employee to take ‘the fall’ for a company? 





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Drama, 1994 

Rated PG-13, Color, 133 minutes 

Director Robert Redford 

Film Facts 

Credits Hank Azaria Albert Freedman 

Ralph Finnes Charles Van Doren 

Rob Morrow Dick Goodwin 

David Paymer Dan Enright 

John Turturro Herbert Stempel 

Silkwood 

Another motion picture depicting the nuclear energy industry as evil. Based on a true story, the 

heroine, Karen Silkwood (Meryl Streep), is a blue collar worker at the Kerr-McGee plutonium 

and uranium fuel plant. She worked there for two years and was contaminated by radiation: 

plutonium in her lungs. Aware that the company was careless about its safety standards, she 

presents claims of irregularities to the Atomic Energy Commission. Karen was about to talk to a 

reporter with the New York Times about Kerr-McGee’s falsification of records. On her way to the 

meeting, she dies in a car crash. The movie insinuates that someone may have intentionally 

caused this accident because of her imminent whistle blowing. The company is eventually shut 

down. 


What is a company’s obligation to the health and safety of its employees? 

Does a business with life threatening “products” have a greater obligation to adhere to safety 

standards than any other business? 

What does the shut down of an irresponsible company mean to other employees dependent on 

these jobs? 

Who should accept hazardous jobs? What factors should an employee consider before taking a 

potentially hazardous job? 

When the company is at fault, is the whistle blower subject to retribution? 



Director Mike Nichols 

Film Facts 

Credits Cher Dolly 

Kurt Russell Drew 

Meryl Streep Karen Silkwood 





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FAMILY TIES 

City of Hope 

This cynical, realistic drama is set in a fictitious New Jersey city and involves the lives of more 

than thirty characters. The plot intertwines the characters around an urban development plan. 

The lead actor is Nick Spano the son of a local construction contractor. With a job from his 

father requiring no effort, Nick is addicted to various vices and easily follows a path to even more 

trouble. Just about everyone in the city is connected and these connections are greased by greed, 

corruption, and dishonesty. 


Does an individual have to “play along” to accomplish his/her goals? To succeed? 

Can a good person prevail in a corrupt system? 

When bribes inhibit competition, what are the other negative outcomes? 

Drama, 1991 


Director John Sayles 

Film Facts 

Credits Anthony John Denison Maggie Renzi 

Tony Lo Bianco Vincent Spano 

John Sayles Joe Morton 

David Strathaim Angela Bassett 

The Little Foxes 

Set in the South, this movie explores human relationships, greed, ruthlessness and treachery. The 

story involves a sister, Regina Hubbard Giddens (Betty Davis), and her brothers Ben Hubbard 

(Charles Dingle) and Oscar Hubbard (Carl Benton Reid). Ben and Oscar need money to build a 

cotton mill which will be operated by cheap labor. They ask Regina for the money but Regina’s 

estranged husband Horace Giddens (Herbert Marshall) refuses due to his opposition to the 

exploitation of cheap labor. 

The brothers conspire to steal negotiable bonds from Horaces’s vault. Regina discovers this and 

eventually blackmails her brothers to acquire more than 50% of the business in return for keeping 

the theft quiet. Regina also causes Horace to have a heart attack and intentionally, without 

conscience, lets him linger towards death. 


Is a company justified exploiting cheap labor to create a profit for its owners? 

What personal sacrifices are acceptable to become a successful business leader? 

Is sensitivity to humanity required in business? 





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Drama, 1941 

Rated No Rating, Black & White, 116 minutes 

Director William Wyler 

Film Facts 

Credits Richard Carlson David Hewitt 

Bette Davis Regina Hubbard Giddens 

Herbert Marshall Horace Giddens 

Teresa Wright Alexandra Giddens 

HAVE I GOT A DEAL FOR YOU… 

Cadillac Man 

Joey O’Brien (Robin Williams) is a once-successful car salesman in New York, who has his 

hands full. He has several personal problems (all related to women) and he is about to lose his 

job unless he sells twelve new cars in two days. 

O’Brien fits the stereotype of a used car salesman who will do anything to sell a car. The movie 

opens in a cemetery with him attempting to sell a car to an undertaker, and failing that, he 

attempts to sell it to the widow of the man that was just buried! 

The climax of the movie occurs when O’Brien is forced to use his fast talking talent to save his 

life and the lives of others. The jealous husband (Tim Robbins) of one of the front office workers 

crashes through the dealership’s window on a motorcycle with an AK-47 taking everyone 

hostage. 


How far should a salesperson go to sell a product? 

How does someone separate his/her personal problems from his/her work? 

Comedy/Drama, 1990 


Director Roger Donaldson 

Film Facts 

Credits Fran Drescher Joy Munchack 

Zack Norman Harry Munchack 

Pamela Reed Tina 

Tim Robbins Larry 

Annabella Sciorra Donna 

Robin Williams Joey O'Brien 





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Glengarry Glen Ross 

Glengarry Glen Ross is David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize winning play depicting an office of has 

been real estate salesmen fighting to save their jobs. 

The only way the salesmen can get a good lead is to close the old leads, which is next to 

impossible. Those who can’t do the impossible, will be fired. 

Mamet delves into the anxiety of the various salesmen (Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and 

Alan Arkin) and what lengths they are willing to go to to close a lead. 


What is an employee willing to do to save his/her job, let alone achieve success? 

Is the threat of being fired successful motivation? 

What does an employee do when he/she is no longer an effective worker? 

Drama, 1992 


Director James Foley 

Film Facts 

Credits Alan Arkin George 

Alec Baldwin Blake 

Ed Harris Dave 

Jack Lemmon Shelley 

Al Pacino Ricky 

Jonathan Pryce James 

Kevin Spacey John 

Tin Men 

What is it about aluminum siding salesman that generates such negative connotations? It must 

have something to do with the history associated with the industry. In the 1950’s and 1960’s, “tin 

men” ran rampant making false promises and producing slip shod work. Tin Men is a comedy 

about BB (Richard Dreyfuss) and Tilley (Danny DeVito) who feud, argue and try to out do each 

other throughout the movie. Each man sells aluminum siding and thinks nothing of deceiving 

innocent customers. The feud keeps escalating; BB attempts to one up Tilley by sleeping with 

Tilley’s wife. 


When individual salesman scam customers, what does this do to the reputation of the industry? 

To the profession? 

What place do high pressure sales techniques have in business? 





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Comedy, 1987 


Director Barry Levinson 

Film Facts 

Credits Danny DeVito Tilley 

Richard Dreyfuss BB 

Barbara Hershey Nora 

John Mahoney Moe 

HOT OFF THE PRESSES 

Absence of Malice 

Megan Carter (Sally Field) is an aggressive, ambitious newspaper reporter looking for a scoop. 

While investigating the disappearance of a union leader, she writes a front page story indicating 

that Michael Gallagher (Paul Newman) is a primary suspect in the investigation of the missing 

person. Michael’s business involves the liquor industry but his involvement in the disappearance 

of the union man is unfounded. In fact, this information was intentionally leaked by the 

government in their attempt to solve the crime. Michael is innocent. Michael’s only revealed 

connection is that his dead father was a Mafia leader and his uncle was a top official in the 

organization. 


To what lengths should the authorities (“the system”) go to solve a crime? 

How should the media check the validity of a story before going to press? 

What are the implications and can an investigator remain unbiased when romantically involved 

with the subject? 

Does the media have an obligation to consider or protect an individual’s privacy? 

Drama, 1981 


Director Sydney Pollack 

Film Facts 

Credits Bob Balaban Rosen 

Melinda Dillon Teresa 

Sally Field Megan Carter 

Paul Newman Michael Gallagher 





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Broadcast News 

The media under scrutiny in this motion picture is television. Broadcast News examines the way 

that TV deals with the news and the newscasters. The plot involves three characters: Aaron 

(played by Albert Brooks) is a knowledgeable and dedicated newsman; Tom (played by William 

Hurt) while handsome and always looking the part, lacks Aaron’s brightness; and, finally Jan 

(played by Holly Hunter) the savvy, assertive woman who produces the broadcast. Beyond the 

operational look into a TV newscast, the movie is about a love triangle between Jane, Aaron, and 

Tom. She likes Aaron’s intelligence and Tom’s physique. In the end, which is more important? 


Does business have a responsibility to value intelligence as much as physical attractiveness? 

Can a workaholic have a personal life? 

How “female” does a successful, professional woman have to be? 

What is the public’s responsibility in considering substance over appearance? 

Comedy/Romance, 1987 


Director James L. Brooks 

Film Facts 

Credits Albert Brooks Aaron Altman 

Lois Chiles Jennifer Mack 

Holly Hunter Jane Craig 

William Hurt Tom Grunick 

Citizen Kane 

Citizen Kane tells the story of Charles Foster Kane (Orson Welles). The country is fascinated by 

his wealth, success, and life-style. Upon his death, one newspaper decided to try to understand 

Kane, one of the richest men in the world, by uncovering the meaning of his dying word, 

“Rosebud.” 

Kane’s original fortune was determined when he was a child. His parents came into some stock, 

once believed to be worthless, but in actuality, worth a large fortune. His mother sent him off to 

be reared by Jedediah Leland (Joseph Cotton) in order to give him a chance in life she did not feel 

she could. 

Kane was given every advantage in his ‘new’ life. He attended the best schools, had the finest 

things, and was given numerous opportunities on a silver platter. Yet, he seemed to be lacking 

something money could not buy. The key to his happiness lied in the word “Rosebud.” 

What exactly can money buy? 


Should a business be continued if it does not make a profit? 

Should newspapers only report facts or should they print speculations if it increases sales? 





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Drama, 1941 

Not Rated, Black & White, 119 min 

Director Orson Welles 

Film Facts 

Credits Ray Collins Jim Geddes 

Dorothy Comingore Susan Alexander 

Joseph Cotten Jedediah Leland 

George Coulouris Walter Parks Thatcher 

Agnes Moorehead Mrs. Kane 

Ruth Warrick Emily Norton 

Orson Welles Kane 

Network 

Network looks behind the scenes at the United Broadcasting System (UBS), a prominent 

television station obsessed, as many must be, by Neilson ratings. A veteran TV anchorman, 

Howard Beale (played by Peter Finch) announces that he intends to commit suicide on his last 

scheduled broadcast because he can’t bear the thought of being fired. His ratings soar and UBS 

creates a “new star” who rants and raves each night about urban chaos. The female executive, 

Faye Dunaway, who is responsible for airing the show becomes successful; the executive who 

resisted the show, William Holden, is fired. 


How much power does the TV media have and what obligation does the public have to control 

TV’s influence? 

Does everything shown on TV news have significance by virtue of its selection to be broadcast? 

How ethical is it for the media to exploit man’s voyeurism and evil nature? 

What is the significance of different news venues? 

Is it ethical to sensationalize? To take advantage of emotionalism? 

Drama, 1975 


Director Sidney Lumet 

Film Facts 

Credits Faye Dunaway Diana Christensen 

Robert Duvall Frank Hackett 

Peter Finch Howard Beale 

William Holden Max Schumacher 





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The Paper 

Yet another motion picture which the business of the news media -- this time, the print media -- is 

scrutinized. The story’s main character is Henry Hackett (played by Michael Keaton) who is the 

city editor at The New York Sun, a tabloid paper. While interviewing for a job at a competing 

paper, Henry steals insider information about a shooting crime. The information is scheduled to 

be the headline news in the next issue of the Sun. But before morning, Henry discovers the 

information is false, contacts his managing editor with the revelation and after a brawl in the print 

room a new and correct edition of The Sun is printed. 


Are the rights of minorities overlooked more readily than others in society? 

What place does sensationalism or tabloids have in the print media business? Is this really 

entertainment? 

Should the media have greater prohibitions against stealing and plagiarism than everyone else? 

Drama, 1995 


Director Ron Howard 

Film Facts 

Credits Glenn Close Alicia Clark 

Robert Duvall Bernie White 

Michael Keaton Henry Hackett 

Marisa Tomei Martha Hackett 

LET’S PLAY BALL 

Eight Men Out 

Eight Men Out details the true story of the Chicago “Black Sox” throwing the 1919 World Series 

against the Cincinnati Reds. The team was perhaps the best in the history of baseball, yet it was 

an easy target for some well financed gamblers. The White Sox owner, Charles ‘Commi’ 

Comiskey was a greedy, selfish owner who did not pay his players their worth and failed to 

deliver promised bonuses. 

Arnold Rothstien, one of Chicago’s infamous mobsters, saw an opportunity to take advantage of 

the players dissatisfaction with Comiskey’s treatment of the team. A fix of the series was set in 

which eight players accepted bribes (Buck Weaver maintained his innocence until his death). 

The fix was exposed, and the team and baseball were put on trial. As the trail progressed, many 

wondered what was more fixed, the series or the trial. 





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Is being treated unfairly grounds for illegal and unethical behavior? 

What are an employer’s obligations to his/her employees? 

Should an employee with rare and special talents be treated differently? 

Should an organization be held responsible for the actions of its members? 

Drama, 1988 


Director John Sayles 

Film Facts 

Credits John Cusack Buck Weaver 

Don Harvey Swede Risberg 

Clifton James Charles Comiskey 

John Mahoney Kid Gleason 

James Read Lefty Williams 

Michael Rooker Chick Gandil 

Charlie Sheen Hap Felsch 

David Strathairn Eddie Cicotte 

D.B. Sweeney "Shoeless" Joe Jackson 

Studs Terkel Hugh Fullerton 

Hoop Dreams 

Hoop Dreams is the documentary of two fourteen year old inner-city boys, William Gates and 

Arthur Agee, as they pursue their dreams to play in the NBA. Both are recruited to St. Joseph’s 

High School, a Catholic prep school known for its basketball program. 

The film documents their triumphs and their disappointments for five years. The audience is 

taken into the boys’ homes to meet their families and understand their problems, as well as into 

their schools to see how they are treated and how they react both in the classroom and on the 

basketball court. 

While this is a film about basketball, it is also about the somewhat shady business of high schools 

and colleges scouting and recruiting potential stars. St. Joseph’s gave both boys scholarships as 

freshman. When Arthur did not play up to their expectations, and his family hit extremely 

difficult financial times, his scholarships were not extended. He was forced to leave St. Joseph’s 

and attend an inner-city public school. The family was then hounded for back tuition. In the end, 

this decision would turn out to be very ironic for St. Joseph’s. 


Are high school and college basketball programs an extra curricular activity or a business? 

What are some schools willing to do to win? 

What do the schools and the coaches get from a winning team? 

Which is more important, the well-being of the athlete or winning? 

Do you abandon an athlete who does not live up to expectations? 





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Documentary, 1994 


Director Steve James 

The Program 

Film Facts 

College football has become big business and is no longer just about ball players, cheerleaders, 

alumni and school spirit. The seamier side of this sport and the pressure to win are well 

dramatized in The Program. The main character is Coach Sam Winters (James Caan) who has 

had a few loosing seasons. Winning is of paramount importance in the new season if the coach is 

to keep his job. Winters bends the rules to achieve victory. Among his players and problems are: 

promises to Darnell Jefferson (Omar Epps) that he will get an education despite the fact 

that football is given greater priority 

ineffectively addressing steroid use by Lattimer (Andrew Brnyiarski) 

joining in the media hype over Joe Kane (Craig Sheffler), a potential Heisman Trophy 

winner who suffers from emotional problems. 


Is it ethical for an academic institution to regard learning as secondary to sports? 

Does a manager have an obligation to become personally involved with his/her subordinates? 

What is the appropriate, ethical manner in which a business handles substance abuse? 

Sports/Drama, 1993 


Director David S. Ward 

Film Facts 

Credits Halle Berry Autumn 

James Caan Coach Sam Winters 

Omar Epps Darnell Jefferson 

Craig Sheffer Joe Kane 





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MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER’S WEALTH? 

The Hudsucker Proxy 

Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins) is a recent graduate of The Muncie School of Business 

Administration. He finds his way into the wacky mailroom of Hudsucker Industries (the only 

place that required no experience). Just as Barnes enters Hudsucker, Waring Hudsucker (Charles 

Durning), the CEO, exits via the forty-fourth floor (not counting the mezzanine) board room 

window after hearing a glowing financial review of the company. 

Since Waring Hudsucker had no known will, all of his stock (86%) will be offered to the public 

on the first day of the next fiscal year (January 1). Sidney Mussburger (Paul Newman) develops 

a scheme to devalue the stock, so the board can by it up cheap on January 1. 

As part of his plan, Mussburger decides to put someone who is incompetent into the position of 

president. Barnes, on an important mailroom mission, meets Mussburger and shows him an idea 

of a product for the company. The idea is a piece of paper with a circle drawn on it (“You know, 

for kids”), that Barnes has been working on for a couple of years. Mussburger decides Barnes 

must be a complete imbecile, and appoints him President of Hudsucker Industries. 

Amy Archer (Jennifer Jason-Leigh) a newspaper reporter (with a strong resemblance to Kathryn 

Hepburn) sets out to uncover Barnes for the fraud he is. Barnes still has that “circle” idea. No 

one should count him out yet….. 


How does a company recover from unexpected tragedies within the corporate structure? 

Is attempting to devalue stock ever an appropriate corporate goal? 

Should a company ever produce a product they expect to fail? 

Comedy, 1994 

Rates PG-13, Color, 111 minutes 

Director Joel and Ethan Coen 

Film Facts 

Credits Charles Durning Waring Hudsucker 

Jennifer Jason Leigh Amy Archer 

Tim Robbins Norville Barnes 

John Mahoney Chief 

Paul Newman Sidney J. Mussburger 

Jim True Buzz 





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Other People’s Money 

Lawrence Garfield (Danny DeVito), a.k.a. “Larry the Liquidator”, claims that he is in the 

business of maximizing shareholders wealth. He finds companies that are worth more to the 

shareholder ‘dead’ then ‘alive’, and he ‘kills’ them. 

Larry’s current target is New England Cable & Wire, a profitable company (with several 

divisions) in Rhode Island that boasts that it has been debt free since the depression. Larry 

approaches Andrew “Jorgy” Jorgenson (Gregory Peck), NEC&W’s CEO, as a concerned 

shareholder, and tells him to get rid of the cable and wire division. Jorgy refuses, concerned with 

the fate of the employees and the community the plant supports, if the division were to close. 

Larry will not take no for an answer and plans a corporate takeover. Jorgy hires his step-daughter 

Kate Sullivan (Penelope Ann Miller) as NEC&W’s lawyer to fend Larry off. Kate wins an initial 

confrontation with Larry’s team of seventeen lawyers, but does not think she can stop the 

takeover. Jorgy decides he will leave the decision up to a proxy vote. He can count on the 30% 

of shares owned by himself, his employees, and long-time friends, can’t he? 


Should maximizing shareholder’s wealth always be the first priority of a company? 

Is the impact of closing a plant in a community more important than the bottom line? 

Is it wrong to “look out for yourself” and sell your loyalty? 

Comedy, 1991 


Director Norman Jewison 

Film Facts 

Credits Danny De Vito Lawrence Garfield 

Dean Jones William J. Coles 

Piper Laurie Bea Sullivan 

Penelope Ann Miller Kate Sullivan 

Gregory Peck “Jorgy" Jorgenson 

Roger & Me 

Roger & Me is Roger Moore’s incisive documentary about the aftermath of the closing of eleven 

General Motors plants in Flint, Michigan. Throughout the film, Moore attempts to interview 

Roger Smith, the chairman of GM, and bring him back to Flint to see the wide spread devastation 

to the community resulting from his decision to move over 30,000 jobs out of Flint. Moore 

introduces the audience to several affected residents of Flint as well as several of the preposterous 

attempts at bringing life back to his home town. 

Although Moore fails to even come close to interviewing Roger Smith, he is not willing to give 

up. Moore made an agreement with Warner Brothers and Famous Players to always leave one 

seat in the theater empty, just in case Roger Smith wishes to see what he has done to Flint for 

free. 





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What is a corporation’s responsibility to the community in which it lives? 

Is if fair to assign blame to the leader of a corporation for the company’s actions? 

What will happen to America if more companies move their plants out of the country to reduce 

labor costs? 

Film Facts 

Documentary/Comedy, 1989 


Director Michael Moore 

Wall Street 

Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) is a young, hungry stockbroker in New York who dreams of making it 

big. Fox is obsessed with selling stock to Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas), a high rolling 

corporate raider. Fox is eventually granted a meeting with Gekko, after much persistence and a 

box of Havana cigars. 

Fox, in an attempt to impress Gekko, offers some insider information he received from his father 

(Martin Sheen), a hard working union man. Gekko, making money off the information, is 

pleased and sets up an account with Fox. 

Gekko wants results from Fox, no matter what it takes. Of course, Fox will be rewarded nicely 

with lavish gifts and a high rise apartment. Fox’s ill-gained, meteoric rise is inevitably followed 

by an equally precipitous fall. 

Is it worth breaking the law to succeed’? 


Once an employee engages in illegal activities, how does he/she stop? 

How much is enough? 

How can the power and glamour of success convince someone to betray their beliefs and their 

family? 

Drama,1987 


Director Oliver Stone 

Film Facts 

Credits Michael Douglas Gordon Gekko 

Daryl Hannah Darien Taylor 

Hal Holbrook Lou Mannheim 

Charlie Sheen Bud Fox 

Martin Sheen Carl Fox 

Terence Stamp Sir Larry 





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MOVIN’ ON UP 

Nine to Five 

This wacky comedy romp involves three secretaries employed by a treacherous, egotistical, 

tyrannical boss: Mr. Hart (Dabney Coleman). Lilly Tomlin plays Violet Newstead, an intelligent, 

efficient worker, who is passed over for promotions by the men she has trained. Dolly Parton is 

Mr. Hart’s secretary, and Jane Fonda, who just entered the workforce after a divorce, holds a 

clerical position. Each frustrated and angry in her situation, the three begin a caper to kidnap Mr. 

Hart. With Mr. Hart tied up to a chandelier in his own house, the three women manage the office. 

Instituting vast changes, many sympathetic to working women (i.e., flexible hours, availability of 

day care), the three also offer equal pay and minority opportunities. The business is immensely 

successful. Of course Mr. Hart eventually gets back to the office. Then he is identified as the 

culprit who has been embezzling money from the company. 


Are minorities as capable of management as white males? 

Is revenge an appropriate avenue when a person has been discriminated against? 

What social obligation does management have to employees besides wages? 

Comedy, 1980 


Director Colin Higgins 

Film Facts 

Credits Dabney Coleman Franklin Hart, Jr. 

Jane Fonda Judy Bernly 

Lily Tomlin Violet Newstead 

Dolly Parton Doralee Rhodes 

Strictly Business 

Waymen Tinesdale, III (Joseph C. Phillips) is an ambitious African-American executive in a 

large Manhattan real estate firm who is determined to be promoted to partner. Bobby Johnson 

(Tommy Davidson) is a mail-room clerk from Harlem with a fast lifestyle who is counting on 

Waymen to get him into the firm’s management training program. 

While in the midst of the biggest deal of his career, Waymen briefly meets Natalie (Halle Berry), 

the women of his dreams. Bobby happens to know Natalie and makes a deal with Waymen. 

Bobby will arrange for Waymen to meet Natalie again, and Waymen will get Bobby into the 

management training program. There is just one catch, Waymen needs to make it to partner to 

fulfill his end of the bargain. 

A jealous co-worker David (David Marshall Grant), who believes Waymen is up for the 

promotion because the company needs a ‘token’ African-American partner, tries to sabotage 

Waymen’s deal. David uses his authority to coerce a member of the training program to change 

the financial figures on Waymen’s proposal. 





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Should an employee sabotage the well being of a company out of jealousy and personal 

satisfaction? 

Should race be a factor in promotions? 

Is it appropriate to exert business influence for personal gains? 

What should a subordinate do when asked to do something unethical by a supervisor? 

Romance, 1991 


Director Kevin Hooks 

Film Facts 

Credits Halle Berry Natalie 

Tommy Davidson Bobby 

David Marshall Grant David 

Anne Marie Johnson Diedre 

Joseph C. Phillips Waymon 

Working Girl 

Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) has the ambition and great investment ideas to be a successful 

executive in the Manhattan brokerage house in which she works. Unfortunately, she is a 

secretary from Staten Island whose appearance and background do not exactly match the 

corporate culture. In the hopes of finding her way out of the secretarial pool, she shares her 

investment ideas with her unscrupulous boss, Catherine Parker (Sigourney Weaver). 

When Catherine breaks her leg on a skiing trip, Tess discovers that Catherine had been planning 

to use her ideas for her own. In Catherine’s absence, Tess transforms herself into a high class 

business executive and masquerades as the firm’s representative. 

Tess arranges to meet Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford), an executive with the client that Catherine 

was going to steal Tess’ idea for. Tess and Jack team up to attempt to pull off the deal. 

Working Girl deals with the frustration of working hard to move ahead and the obstacles which 

can get in the way. 

Questions that make you think… 

Should an employee’s background and appearance affect promotability if the employee would 

otherwise be successful in the position? 

What actions are acceptable when a supervisor is planning to use a subordinate’s ideas for their 

own? 

Is being deceptive an appropriate way to get ahead? 





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Romance, 1988 


Director Mike Nichols 

Film Facts 

Credits Alec Baldwin Mick Dugan 

Harrison Ford Jack Trainer 

Melanie Griffith Tess McGill 

Olympia Dukakis Personnel Director 

Sigourney Weaver Catharine Parker 

NEGOTIATE, BARGAIN, STRIKE 

Hoffa 

James R. Hoffa dedicated his career (some may say his life) to furthering the organization of the 

Teamsters Union. The movie opens to Hoffa (Jack Nicholson) and Bobby Ciaro (Danny DeVito), 

a long time business associate and friend, in a roadside café parking lot, waiting for a meeting. 

While waiting, Ciaro flashes back to many of the important moments in Hoffa’s crusade. 

Hoffa believed in the Teamsters and the power of collective bargaining. In the beginning, the 

Teamsters were not widely accepted by many truckers, and definitely not accepted by the 

trucking company owners, so Hoffa set out to change the system and show the truckers what the 

Teamsters could do for them. 

In order to achieve his goal, Hoffa made some questionable business associates, including the 

Mafia. Hoffa’s actions, and the actions of the Teamsters were not always legal, but Hoffa 

believed that he did what he had to in order to make the Teamsters an effective bargaining union. 

Do the ends justify the means? 


Is violence acceptable when negotiations don’t produce the desired results? 

What happens when a leader loses sight of the original goal? 

How can a leader’s desire for personal power affect the organization? 

Drama, 1992 


Director Danny DeVito 

Film Facts 

Credits Kevin Anderson Bobby Kennedy 

Armand Assante Mafia leader 

Danny DeVito Bobby Ciaro 

Jack Nicholson Jimmy Hoffa 

J.T. Walsh Frank Fitzsimmons 





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Norma Rae 

This film’s heroine is Norma Rae (Sally Field), a young textile worker from the South who is 

recruited by a union organizer, Reuben (Ron Leibman), to rally her coworkers into forming a 

union. This task is a tough one as the management of the factory in which she works is 

unappreciative and dictatorial over its employees. Workers at the mill have few benefits and 

harsh working conditions often leading to brown lung disease. Management wants nothing to do 

with a union and takes extreme measures to eliminate the threat of one forming. In the end, 

Norma gets the support she needs from her coworkers workers and grows personally in the 

process. 


Does a company have an ethical duty to treat its employees well? 

What rights does an employee have? 

Is a company responsible for health hazards on the job? If so, what precautions should a 

company be required to take? 

Drama, 1979 


Director Martin Ritt 

Film Facts 

Credits Beau Bridges Sonny 

Sally Field Norma Rae 

Pat Hingle Father 

Ron Leibman Reuben 

On The Waterfront 

The waterfront in On The Waterfront is controlled by Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb), the corrupt 

leader of the dockers union. Johnny’s union serves him more than its members. Every day, all of 

the workers show up for work but not everyone gets a fair opportunity to get a job for the day. It 

seems the same people are always getting work. 

When Joey Doyle, one of the workers, is going to talk to the Crime Commission about the illegal 

practices of Friendly, he is murdered. Terry Malloy unknowingly (Marlon Brando) helps in the 

setup for the murder, and finds himself in an awkward situation as he begins to have feelings for 

Joey’s sister, Edie (Eva Marie Saint). 

What should a union do for its workers? 


How does an employee stand up to a union that does not appear to be working in his/her favor? 

What should an employee do if he/she wants to leave an organization with illegal practices, yet 

has no where else to find work? 





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Drama, 1954 

Not Rated, Black & White, 108 minutes 

Director Elia Kazan 

Film Facts 

Credits Marlon Brando Terry Malloy 

Lee J. Cobb Johnny Friendly 

John Hamilton "Pop" Doyle 

Rod Steiger Charley Malloy 

Eva Marie Saint Edie Doyle 

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN 

Fat Man and Little Boy 

This recreation of the Manhattan Project in the early 1940’s and the making of the atomic bomb 

casts Paul Newman as General Groves and Dwight Schultz as J. Robert Oppenheimer. 

Oppenheimer is the controversial, supremely intelligent individual responsible for conceiving this 

weapon of mass destruction. Groves is the administrative leader given the project assignment. 

The team is on a very tight timeline with limited uranium. The sacrifices of these few and their 

families will have timeless repercussions. 


How does an individual set aside his/her own moral beliefs to complete a “business assignment”? 

What means are justified for a leader to direct a self-motivated group to project completion? 

Is it ethical to allocate resources to an “unknown” at the expense of the known? 



Director Roland Joffe 

Film Facts 

Credits Bonnie Bedelia Kitty Oppenheimer 

John Cusack Michael Merriman 

Paul Newman Leslie R. Groves 

Dwight Schultz J. Robert Oppenheimer 





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Gung Ho 

Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton) travels abroad to Japan to convince the Japanese company that 

just closed down the plant he worked at in Hanleyville, Pennsylvania to re-open the plant. 

Stevenson discovers the numerous cultural differences between American workers and Japanese 

workers. He realizes that he needs to adapt to the Japanese way if he is to save his job and the 

future of the plant. 

Once back in America, the Japanese executive assigned to ensuring the success of the plant 

(Gedde Watanebe) finds his job on the line if he can not find a way to increase the American 

worker’s productivity. Stevenson and the Japanese executive find a way to work together to 

succeed. 


How does a company’s culture affect how a business is managed? 

Can a company’s (or country’s) culture be adopted by an outside organization? If so, how is it 

accomplished? 

Is there only one correct way to run a business? 

Comedy, 1986 

Rated PG-13, Color, 111 min 

Director Ron Howard 

Film Facts 

Credits Michael Keaton Hunt Stevenson 

Geede Watanabe Kazihiro 

George Wendt Buster 

Mimi Rogers Audrey 

John Turturro Willie 

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 

This classic movie is the story of Jefferson Smith (played by James Stewart) a beloved, decent, 

idealistic man who goes to Washington to complete an interim term as a U.S. Senator. The 

business highlighted in this motion picture is the U.S. government, largely portrayed with its 

share of greedy, crooked, ruthless politicians. 

Smith writes a bill to create a national boy’s camp. Other politicians conspire to derail Smith’s 

plans with plans to build a useless dam and make personal profits in the process. The film’s 

primary theme is that good will persevere over evil and that evil perseveres by the inaction of 

good people. 


Power, influence and money are effective components to achieve one’s ends. Are they mutually 

exclusive of humanity and decency? 

Can an ordinary person become successful? 

What is leadership? 





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Political, 1939 

No Rating, Black & White, 129 minutes 

Director Frank Capra 

Film Facts 

Credits J. Edward Arnold Jim Taylor 

Jean Arthur Saunders 

Claude Rains Sen. Joseph Paine 

James Stewart Jefferson Smith 

Rising Sun 

Two police detectives are teamed up to solve the strangulation death of a beautiful girl at a high 

profile building opening celebration in Los Angeles. The cops, Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes 

come from different backgrounds but both are committed to solving the crime. What makes this 

story interesting is that the crime, the suspects and “the chase” involve the Japanese and therefore 

the Japanese culture. 

The multinational company Nakamoto is in the market to buy a US computer company, Micro 

Con. The murder occurs in Nakamoto’s building. A complex cover-up by the Japanese keep 

Conner and Smith guessing. Using high tech videodisc editing, a tape of the murder is doctored 

and the head of Nakamoto avoids direct embarrassment. 


What ethical standards apply to businesses from different cultures? Different countries? 

International business operations? 

Is it ethical for US property and corporations to be bought by foreign interests? 

Is a company’s reputation more important than the truth? 

When a crime is committed in a foreign country, whose law applies? 

Thriller, 1993 


Director Philip Kaufman 

Film Facts 

Credits Sean Connery John Connor 

Harvey Keitel Tom Graham 

Wesley Snipes Web Smith 

Cary-Hiroyuke Tagawa Eddie Sakamura 





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Tucker: The Man and His Dream 

Tucker: The Man and His Dream begins as a public relations film for the Tucker Motor 

Company. It then follows the real life story of Preston Tucker (Jeff Bridges) and his dream to 

build a better car than the ‘Big Three’ in Detroit. 

Tucker, an ambitious entrepreneur, creates a futuristic aerodynamic car with three headlights, seat 

belts, an engine in the back, disk brakes, and fuel injection that can drive up to 130 mph. Tucker 

places an advertisement of his idea for the car in a magazine and the country goes crazy for it. 

Tucker manages to get the backing to start building the Tucker, but encounters many obstacles 

and detours. When the Detroit auto manufacturers realize that Tucker’s car will force them to 

spend millions of dollars to remain competitive, they force him out of business by a variety of 

unethical means. 

Is competition always a good thing? 


How honest should a company be with the public? 

Is it ethical to stretch the truth in advertisements? 

Should the best product always be the product manufactured? 

Drama, 1988 


Film Facts 

Credits Joan Allen Vera 

Jeff Bridges Preston Tucker 

Frederic Forrest Eddie 

Anders Johnson Johnny 

Elias Koteas Alex 

Martin Landau Abe 

Mako Jimmy 





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BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Books 

Ebert, Roger. Roger Ebert’s Video Companion, Andrew and McMeel, Kansas City, Missouri, 

1995. 

Herx, Henry. The Family Guide to Movies and Videos, United States Catholic Conference Inc., 

Washington D.C., 1995. 

Kael, Pauline. When the Lights Go Down, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, New York, 

1975. 

Kael, Pauline. Taking it All In, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, New York, 1980. 

Kael, Pauline. Hooked, E. P. Dutton, New York, New York, 1985. 

Kael, Pauline. State of the Art, E. P. Dutton, New York, New York, 1985. 

Kael, Pauline. Movie Love, Penguin Books USA, Inc., New York, New York, 1991. 

Kael, Pauline. For Keeps, Penguin Books USA, Inc., New York, New York, 1994. 

Pallot, James. The Motion Picture Guide, CineBooks, News America Publishing Incorporated, 

New York, New York, 1994. 

Peary, Danny. Guide For the Film Fanatic, Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, New York, 1986. 

Quart, Leonard and Albert Auster. American Film and Society Since 1945, Praeger, New York, 

New York, 1991. 

Variety Staff Writers. Variety Movie Guide, Prentice Hall General Reference, New York, New 

York, 1992. 

Microsoft Cinemania ‘95 CD ROM 

Video Movies (by title) 

Various Internet Webpages 

Electronic Sources

Business Ethics in Motion Pictures - Saint Louis University

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