(1957)
"A guitar beats a woman every time!"
The film many (including myself) consider to be Elia Kazan's masterpiece is a searing political drama and satire of commercialism that is still relevant today. "A Face in the Crowd" tells the story of Lonesome Rhodes (Griffith), a charismatic guitar-playing drifter who is discovered by radio executive Marcia Jeffries (the husky-voiced and classy Patricia Neal) while in jail on a public drunk charge.
He catapults to radio and TV stardom under the guise of being an aw-shucks homeboy who loves his fans, while in fact, Lonesome Rhodes is a greedy, egotistical, manipulative womanizer with underhanded political aspirations and nothing but contempt for his gullible audience.
The film was far ahead of its time in its theme and telling, and Andy Griffith, in his pre-Mayberry days, gives a blazing performance. That "A Face In The Crowd" wasn't even nominated for any awards is very surprising.
The stellar supporting cast includes Patricia Neal, who shines in an Oscar-worthy performance, perfectly balancing Griffith's Lonesome Rhodes; Walter Matthau, Tony Franciosa, and a breathtaking Lee Remick in her first film role.
"A Face in the Crowd" is a must-see film, and should eradicate any opinion you may have that Griffith was only capable of his wholesome TV roles of Sheriff Taylor and Ben Matlock. He has said that the part was very difficult for him, depicting such an unsavory character, and he did not want to do another like it...and the rest is TV history.
The DVD of "A Face In The Crowd", released in 2005 (I had been waiting for years for this film to be released on DVD), also features a fascinating documentary about the HUAC (House UnAmerican Activities Committee).
