With sharp observational skills, he watches as SS Officers at another table are photographed - he sizes up the power elite in his high-stakes gamble to cultivate heir friendship.Benjamin is in his upstairs bedroom in his upper-middle-class parents"" home during a graduation party held in his honor.) Independent producer Stanley Kramer and director Edward Dmytryk (one of the original blacklisted "Hollywood Ten" and director ofMurder, My Sweet (1944)andCrossfire (1947)) had earlier collaborated on the melodramatic thrillerThe Sniper (1952), the dramatic combat filmEight Iron Men (1952), andThe Juggler (1953)with Kirk Douglas, but this fourth film was their most-acclaimed and successful work." And then she wished him well: "Bye, Peter.Whatever""s going on with you, I hope you figure it out." The new president of the school""s Academic Decathlon eam was announced during a practice session - Michelle (or "MJ") was appointed to the position.