In the Introduction of Early Cold War Spies, authors Haynes and Klehr describe the atmosphere of the early Cold War period when Soviets in United States became the most widespread concern for the American public. During this time domestic security became the foremost issue for Americans. This introduction gives a brief synopsis of the early Cold War spy trials such as the Elizabeth Bentley trial of 1948, the 1945 trial of Amerasia and Igor Gouzenko, and the 1962 trial of Robert Soblen. However, as they describe this "witch-hunt" for communists, Haynes and Klehr also make clear the point that the fear of Communism was nothing new and that it was not brought on solely by McCarthy, although he did publicize his quest to smoke out every communist in the country.

    This concise explanation of the politics and environment in the early years of the Cold War provides the essential details necessary to contextualize the story of The Manchurian Candidate. Without historical context, the film would not have the same impact. In addition, knowledge of these early spy trials may have provided author Condon (author of the novel The Manchurian Candidate published in 1959) with some inspiration for the tale of Raymond Shaw. While there is never a trial in The Manchurian Candidate, it is possible that Condon looked at these people on trial and others as the real Manchurian Candidates.  

    In this section of her chapter "‘Pink-Nosed Gremlins' to Reluctant Regulators" entitled "Communism on Radio and Television," author Susan Brinson gives a brief but comprehensive explanation of communist material on radio and television. She describes the flood of letters sent to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) in the 1940s regarding the content of broadcasts. Brinson also explains how censorship of communists increased as the nation moved into the 1950s. This section also describes the fear of "reds in the living room" and a short, but valuable synopsis of Edward R. Murrow's 1954 episode of See It Now during which he so famously criticized Senator McCarthy.

    Throughout The Manchurian Candidate the idea of public image and the media is very important but rarely explicitly discussed. Mrs. Iselin constantly critiques her husband and gives him orders about how to act when on camera and exactly what to say. While it is not often mentioned in the film, the concept of the FCC and the publicity surrounding the search for communists in the government, gives interesting depth to the film. The extent to which McCarthy used the media as a tool to frighten the American public is not fully portrayed in the film outside of a few scenes where the camera cuts between Iselin himself and his image on a television screen. In The Manchurian Candidate it is difficult to completely separate the character of Senator John Iselin and Senator Joseph McCarthy; however, Susan Brinson's piece explains how Senator McCarthy (and therefore his caricature, Senator John Iselin) used the media in his hunt for members of the Communist party.

    In this chapter of his book, The Manchurian Candidate, Greil Marcus gives a brief summary of the plot of the film and proceeds to make the argument that the plot of the film is merely an excuse for the "pleasure of its violence." Marcus also discusses instances in the film where while on the surface the focus is the conspiracy, much of the viewer's attention is redirected in light of the ridiculous reactions of various characters. He, in fact, mildly criticizes the plausibility of such things being said in reality. Marcus spends a great deal of time discussing this fact in relation to the press conference scene in the film where Marco serves as a public relations officer for the army. Also discussed within this chapter are the similarities and parallels between the assassinations of the Iselins to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Marcus also introduces various differences and similarities between the John Frankenheimmer film version of the Manchurian Candidate (1962) and the original novel written by Richard Condon in 1959. In addition to the comparison between various versions of this story, Marcus also broaches the subject of the morality of the characters and the viewer's perception of these mores. The author concludes this chapter with a proposition, that perhaps The Manchurian Candidate and the themes it discusses are more relevant now than they were forty years ago.

    In relation to the film, The Manchurian Candidate, directed by John Frankenheimmer, Greil Marcus gives an ample discussion regarding various themes in the film; however, he fails to elaborate sufficiently on these ideas to really give the reader a comprehensive and full understanding of his meaning. His description and discussion of the press conference scene in which Marco serves as a public relations assistant to the secretary of defense is especially vivid and insightful. The multiple views of Iselin in the screen (via the television monitor in screen and various other angles) highlight the power of the media and introduce a strong caricature of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy in the character of Senator John Y. Iselin. Marcus's insight to the "epistemological violence" of the scene and the actions and reactions of the characters allow a new perception of this scene, as a sort of idealized situation where politicians tell the truth and speak with utter candor, as the Secretary of Defense does.

    In David Seed's discussion of The Manchurian Candidate, he examines the reality and plausibility of the brainwashing of Raymond Shaw, Major Marco, and the other soldiers. He discusses the real life POW indoctrination camps in Manchuria and Korea that were used for "re-education" and "interrogation" along the Yalu River. Seed also discusses the similarities of the film to the novel written by Richard Condon in 1959. Seed also examines the use of the media as a method of indoctrination or brainwashing in the case of the Iselins.

    This chapter allows a viewer of the film to have knowledge of the real life context of the brainwashing of POWs during the Korean War. Seed also raises the point that there are distinct similarities between The Manchurian Candidate and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. He describes it as "life realizing art" and although it has been concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, it was also confirmed that he had seen the film. While it is unlikely that this film was the sole motivation for Oswald's actions, there is no way to measure the impact of the film on Oswald or whether or not he was brainwashed. Seed's explanation of The Manchurian Candidate allows a viewer of the film to better understand the psychology of a "superspy," or a spy who has layered personalities that can be activated by a sort of trigger, as with Raymond-"why don't you pass the time by playing a little solitaire?" and then the appearance of a queen of diamonds. Overall, Seed's analysis provides a more in depth glimpse into the character of Raymond Shaw and his brainwashing.

    This chapter from Jacobsen and González's book What Have They Built You to Do? discusses the character of Johnny Iselin as a "McCarthy type"-a representation of Senator Joseph McCarthy to the extreme. They further explain that The Manchurian Candidate was one of the first full-fledged satires of Senator McCarthy and demonstrate how McCarthy was a "natural target for anyone wishing to lampoon the politics of peril." (85) The authors also explain the importance of the timing of the film's release: because The Manchurian Candidate was released eight years after the Army-McCarthy hearings, McCarthy was seen as a sort of tragic joke, thus, Senator Iselin was able to be made out as the comic relief of the film, as a caricature of McCarthy.

    Jacobsen and González describe the "over the top" communism of The Manchurian Candidate as a bit "campy." This chapter of their book is especially helpful in explaining the character of Senator John Iselin and providing a basis for further exploration of the character as more than just a representation of McCarthy. The comedy in the film revolves for the most part around Senator Iselin and as these comic moments are few and far between in the film, it is important to understand their significance. The Manchurian Candidate satirically uses these comic moments with Iselin to parody McCarthy and to emphasize the ridiculousness of his actions and accusations.

 

 

    In the appendix of Forbidden Partners, author James Twitchell explains many of the reasons and basic analyses behind incest. He delves into the biological reasons that incest has become taboo and proceeds to transition into a more sociological and psychological analysis of the taboo. His analysis of family structure probes into the different functions of family members and their role; he details two separate families within a family, the formal which is concerned with functional matters and the experiential which deals with feelings and emotions. Using this analysis alongside theories of Freud and ideas taken from the Oedipal complex, Twitchell gives a helpful and complete explanation of the societal taboo associated with incest.

    Although it is not seen as obviously in the 1962 film version of The Manchurian Candidate, the relationship between Mrs. Iselin and her son Raymond Shaw is decidedly incestuous. The only time that this incest is explicitly seen in the film is the kiss that Mrs. Iselin and Raymond share after Mrs. Iselin vows revenge on the Communist party. The kiss is slightly sexual and lasts longer than a normal kiss between mother and son would but other than this one instance there is no mention of incest throughout the film. In the novel version of the story, Mrs. Iselin and Raymond share a far more explicitly incestuous relationship; however, this facet of the story had to be censored out for the film. Learning about the psychological motivations and aversions to incest allows for a deeper reading into the mother-son relationship that Raymond and his mother share.