Thanks hummingbird! Actually I never did read the book or see the movie, didn't know that Frankenheimer directed it either. The Manchurian Candidate is on the top shelf of my DVD rack. After reading that review it looks like I might do some book/DVD shopping tomorrow.
Saw the movie years ago; may have to watch again. Also, you might want to check out:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084920/ Plot Summary for
Wrong Is Right (1982)
A satire of American news reporting, Covert Agencies, and political system. The theft of two suitcase sized nuclear weapons, and their sale to a terrorist group, leads TV Newsman Patrick Hale on an international chase to track them down, and uncover the twisting maze of apparent involvement of US Government agencies.
Kind of like Dr. Strangelove...and it stars Sean Connery - can't go wrong with that!