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| Andy Griffith | Lonesome Rhodes |
| Patricia Neal | Marcia Jeffries |
| Anthony Franciosa | Joey Kiely |
| Walter Matthau | Mel Miller |
| Lee Remick | Betty Lou Fleckum |
| Kay Medford | First Mrs. Rhodes |
| Rod Brasfield | Beanie |
| Charles Irving | Mr. Luffler |
| Howard I. Smith | J.B. Jeffries |
| Paul McGrath | Macey |
| Alexander Kirkland | Jim Collier |
| Big Jeff Bess | Sheriff Hosmer |
| Henry Sharp | Abe Steiner |
| Faye Emerson | Herself |
| Betty Furness | Herself |
| Virginia Graham | Herself |
| Burl Ives | Himself |
| Marshall Neilan | Senator Fuller |
| Lois Nettleton | |
| John Cameron Swayze | Himself |
| Rip Torn | |
| Mike Wallace | Himself |
| Percy Waram | Col. Hollister |
| Walter Winchell | Himself |
| Charles Nelson Reilly |
| Elia Kazan | Director, Producer |
| Tom Glazer | Score Composer |
| Anna Hill Johnstone | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Charles H. Maguire | Asst. Director |
| Gene Milford | Editor |
| Gayne Rescher | Cinematographer |
| Budd Schulberg | Screenwriter |
| Harry Stradling | Cinematographer |
| Richard Sylbert | Production Designer |
Despite the stultifying conservative atmosphere of the 1950's, the era did produce some great motion pictures. One of the finest of those films deals with television, which at the time was considered a "golden age". Yet, filmmaker Elia Kazan foresaw what could happen if television's power was abused in such a way that entertainment and politics could be blurred, obfuscated and eventually, corrupted. And what's more, it was made long before Paddy Cheyefsky did it so brilliantly in 1976's "Network".
Kazan made "A Face In The Crowd" in 1957 as a response to television's increasing influence. It starred Andy Griffith, in his movie debut, when he was just a comedian doing routines like "What It Was, Was Football". However, if all you know about Griffith is his television show (which he would do just two years later), you owe to yourself to see him here. He portrays a wandering, womanzing drunkard named Lonesome Rhodes, a total polar opposite of Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry. When we first see Lonesome, he's in a filthy Southern drunk tank and a reporter named Marcia (a fantastic Patricia Neal) records his tales and songs for a local radio station. She is so enamored by his talent that Lonesome lands a job at the station. His popularity explodes and he soon finds his way toward television, first in the South and then, to New York City. When Lonesome arrives in the Gotham, he is soon courted by powerful businessmen who use his program as a way to convince the public to vote for a stuffy politican whose less-government-is-better philosophy echoes loudly in the era of The Tea Party. But Lonesome's personal life is a stark contrast to his squeaky-clean public persona and as Marcia witnesses all this, she must decide whether to allow him to deceive the public or expose him as the monster he truly is.
Griffith's performance is so unnerving that it's scary. It certainly scared him, too; after this movie, he saw what the character did to him in his personal life and he promised that he would never do a movie like that again. The film also features the debuts of Lee Remick as a gorgeous, bubbelheaded baton-twirling queen and Anthony Francioso as Lonesome's ambitious, sleazoid manager. Probably the best performance in the film is by Walter Matthau, also out of character, portraying a cynical show writer who is probably the only true friend Marcia has. The DVD features a great documentary about the film featuring interviews with Griffith, Neal and Kazan (with Griffith actually saying the F-word at one point). Yet, "A Face In The Crowd" has more than retained its power over the years and sad to say, the correlations between this film and what Fox News does with favored politicans is not purely coincidental.
Brilliant performances by the whole cast with Andy Griffith giving a once in a lifetime performance as "Lonesome Rhodes". This movie was way ahead of it's time in the depiction of the influence of media on society. A classic which still retains relevance in today's media focused world.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Andy Griffith as you never would believe a powerful performance GREAT MOVIE
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
It's like Kazan could see the new millenium coming. Not only is the entire cast amazing, the effect of celebrity worship is dramatized perfectly. A must see for any social cynic.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
Clearly the best andy griffith has EVER done it makes you look a tv as a powerful forum and can shape,make or break any public figure or anybody!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2009
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