High-resolution variable-energy photoelectron spectra of M(CO)(5)X [M = Re, X = Re(CO)(5), Cl, Br, and I; and M = Mn, X = Mn(CO)(5) and Br] are reported. Tunable synchrotron radiation is used to distinguish the Re 5d and Br 4p orbital based peaks for the controversial Re(CO)(5)Br. Our results provide firm molecular orbital assignments for all of these molecules. The valence orbital in the ordering of ionization energies for M(CO)(5)Cl (M = Mn and Re) and Mn(CO)(5)Br is a(1)(M-X) > e(X) > b(2)(M) > e(M); but for M(CO)(5)I (M = Mn and Re) and Re(CO)(5)Br the ordering is a(1)(M-X) > e(M) > b(2)(M) > e(X). The crossover of the HOMO in the Re molecules due to the change in the halogen electronegativities occurs at Re(CO)(5)Br. The metal np --> nd resonance is observed for all of these molecules. For molecules like M-2(CO)(10) (M = Re and Mn) and Mn(CO)(5)Br, the observation of this np --> nd resonance is useful in assigning the metal nd based orbitals in their valence level spectra. However, for molecules like Re(CO)(5)X (X = Br and Cl), a np --> nd type resonance is observed on bands arising from both Re 5d and halogen mp based orbitals. This new resonant effect on the ligand-based orbitals is shown to be mainly due to the interatomic resonant effect. The core and valence level chemical shifts of these compounds are treated using Jolly's approach to confirm the assignments for the valence level spectra of some of these molecules. The high-resolution inner valence and core level spectra of these compounds are reported. Broadening of Re 4f, Br 3d, and I 4d core level spectra is discussed. The Auger peaks are observed in the high-resolution, high-intensity Br 3d of Re(CO)(5)Br and I 4d of Re(CO)(5)I spectra.