The Man Who Had Influence

David Grant, the son of a powerful business magnate, leans on his father's influence to glide past problems. He assumes privilege will shield him from consequences and uses connections to steer outcomes in his favor. When a woman dies under mysterious circumstances, the issue of accountability comes to the fore. The case unsettles everyone in his orbit, from business allies to intimate confidants, testing David's readiness to own up or shield himself behind a web of excuses. As power, money and reputation collide, the drama tracks a family empire pushed toward scrutiny while the outcome remains shrouded in uncertainty.

Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, this 1950 television drama was broadcast as a TV movie. It drew on a teleplay by Worthington Miner and Don Mankiewicz, bringing stage like intensity to early network television.

Critics highlighted its brisk look at power and responsibility, showing how wealth can distort judgment. The story foregrounds moral choices under public glare, exploring the cost of avoiding accountability and the fragility of reputations built on influence.

This production is notable for early screen appearances by Eva Marie Saint and Anne Bancroft, two performers who would go on to become major stars. Their presence gives the project historical interest for fans of classic television and postwar American cinema.