A Face in the Crowd (1957)
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91% of critics liked it
(23 reviews) -
93% of users liked it
(4,575 ratings)
Andy Griffith makes a spectacular film debut in this searing drama as Lonesome Rhodes, a philosophical country-western singer discovered in a tanktown jail by radio talent scout Patricia Neal and her assistant Walter Matthau. They decide that Rhodes is worthy of a radio spot, but the unforeseen… More Andy Griffith makes a spectacular film debut in this searing drama as Lonesome Rhodes, a philosophical country-western singer discovered in a tanktown jail by radio talent scout Patricia Neal and her assistant Walter Matthau. They decide that Rhodes is worthy of a radio spot, but the unforeseen result is that the gangly, aw-shucks entertainer becomes an overnight sensation not simply on radio but, thereafter, on television. As he ascends to stardom, Rhodes attracts fans, sponsors and endorsements by the carload, and soon he is the most powerful and influential entertainer on the airwaves. Beloved by his audience, Rhodes reveals himself to his intimates as a scheming, power-hungry manipulator, with Machiavellian political aspirations. He uses everyone around him, coldly discarding anyone who might impede his climb to the top (one such victim is sexy baton-twirler Lee Remick, likewise making her film debut). Just when it seems that there's no stopping Rhodes' megalomania, his mentor and ex-lover Neal exposes this Idol of Millions as the rat that he is. She arranges to switch on the audio during the closing credits of Rhodes' TV program, allowing the whole nation to hear the grinning, waving Rhodes characterize them as "suckers" and "stupid idiots." Instantly, Rhodes' popularity rating plummets to zero. As he drunkenly wanders around his penthouse apartment, still not fully comprehending what has happened to him, Rhodes is deserted by the very associates who, hours earlier, were willing to ask "how high?" when he yelled "jump". Written by Budd Schulberg, Face in the Crowd was not a success, possibly because it hit so close to home with idol-worshipping TV fans. Its reputation has grown in the intervening years, not only because of its value as a film but because of the novelty of seeing the traditionally easygoing Andy Griffith as so vicious and manipulative a character as Lonesome Rhodes. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Elia Kazan
- Written By
- Budd Schulberg
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
- In Theaters
- May 28, 1957 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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J. Hoberman, Village Voice
A Face in the Crowd has never ceased to be relevant.
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
What starts out as a seemingly liberal tract rapidly becomes a smug, cynical exercise in misanthropy.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
This sizzling and cynical exposure... also presents Andy Griffith as the key figure in his first screen role.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Andy Griffith, as a hick radio star modeled on Arthur Godfrey, delivers an astonishing, sinister performance in Elia Kazan's 1957 essay on media demagoguery.
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Kimberly Gadette, Doddle
A fascinating early look at the unholy alliance between politics and entertainment, the corporations controlling it all. With Griffith's wild performance, even though the film has its flaws, it's worth viewing.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Andy Griffith
as Lonesome Rhodes
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Patricia Neal
as Marcia Jeffries
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Anthony Franciosa
as Joey Kiely
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Walter Matthau
as Mel Miller
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Lee Remick
as Betty Lou Fleckum
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Kay Medford
as First Mrs. Rhodes
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Rod Brasfield
as Beanie
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Charles Irving
as Mr. Luffler
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Howard I. Smith
as J.B. Jeffries
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Paul McGrath
as Macey
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Alexander Kirkland
as Jim Collier
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Big Jeff Bess
as Sheriff Hosmer
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Henry Sharp
as Abe Steiner
- John Bliss
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Kim Chan
as Radio Announcer
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Faye Emerson
as Herself
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Betty Furness
as Herself
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Virginia Graham
as Herself
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Burl Ives
as Himself
- Lois Nettleton
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John Cameron Swayze
as Himself
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Mike Wallace
as Himself
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Percy Waram
as Col. Hollister
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Walter Winchell
as Himself
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Marshall Neilan
as Senator Fuller
- Rip Torn
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Sandra Wirth
as baton twirler
- Amanda Robinson
- Suzanne Ballard
- Bunny McCallum
- Howard Smith
- Paul Mc Grath