A Face in the Crowd (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Whent his moive can out in 1957, it was not well recieved and essentially was a dud in the theaters. This is one of those rare films that once it ended its first run, it later took on a life of its own. The story is a simple one. A young (and pretty) woman, Marcia Jeffries (played by Patricia Neal) has her own radio show on her uncle's radio station called "A Face in the Crowd". She totes around a large open reel tape recorder to interview people on the street. The movie begins with her going to the city's jail to see what she can get there. On the floor in a corner is a drunkard with a guitar sleeping it off (played by Andy Griffith). When she asks for him to sing a song, he asks "What's in it for me?". The sheriff tells him if he sings for the little lady, he'll let him out early. When he agrees, the lady introduces him as "Lonesome Rhodes" and he then begins to tell a tale as he stums his guitar. When she plays the tape on her show, Lonesome Rhodes becomes an overnight sensation and they run to find him, now released, to get him to agree to continue to appear on the radio, now on his own show. Rhodes popularity conitnues to skyrocket and soon, he and Marcia are soon on the road to fame and fortune. Rhodes is the star with Marcia in the shadows as not only his producer and his love interest. She is excited by him and at the same time, she sees his darker side, which is frightening to her. By the time he gets a nationally-broadcast TV show, he meets up with one of his sponsors that is simply called "The General" He takes Rhodes under his wing and teaches him that through his charisma, he has the power to control people via TV and Radio. He can tell them what to think and what to do, including how to vote for the General's choice to be President. Lonesome Rhodes has gone from a simple self-minded drunkard into a powerful king maker with delusions of his own grandeur. He must be destroyed and only Marcia has the power to bring him down. The film is one of the first tales about the power of radio and TV and how it can be used for good or bad. While the movie may not have seemed relevent to the movie-goers of 1957, it certainly resonates today. While Patricia Neal was a star when this film was made, it was the first film ever made by Andy Griffith and it is a powerful film that truly deserved consideration for an Academy Award. The role is totally opposite of virtually anything else Griffith took on. It reminds of the contrast between Angela Landsbury role in "The Manchurian Candidate" as compared to her more soft and kindly roles in movies and TV in the later years of her career. Lonesome Rhodes is one of the great all time tragic characters and its through the brilliant writing, directing, and acting that brings this fatefull character to life. This is a must-see essential film every film fan needs to see.

Ordered as a gift. Love the movie and the product arrived in a few days. Highly recommend.

Once upon a time, oh, about 1957, in the far-off northeastern corner of Arkansas lived a princess, Marcia Jeffries, who has a radio show. She calls it "A Face in the Crowd" because she believes she can coax "talent" from anyone. One day she goes to the county jail for that face which, it turns out, belongs to Larry Rhodes. He speaks right up and says, "What's in it for me?," a phrase that becomes his magic words. She gives him the luminous name Lonesome Rhodes and puts him on her morning show where he becomes an immediate local hit. Here on radio he proves he can get people to do outrageous things just by asking. Lonesome has the stuff, star quality, and becomes a radio personality. No need of wands for Lonesome--he has his own magic: the raw vitality of animal magnetism even sight unseen. Before long Marcia and Lonesome go to Memphis for his own television show. On their way there, she learns he is really a warty toad inside that Prince Charming disguise, but as a princess is wont to do, she ignores it. In Memphis Lonesome is growing in influence and growing to fit inside that influence. He brings a black woman off the streets and asks the television audience to help raise money to rebuild her burned down house. More than enough money is raised. It's a magic kingdom, television is, with all kinds of far-reaching influence. Lonesome proves he can sell anything his way-- by belittling the product or boosting the product. He becomes a "wielder of opinion, a man of influence, a strong hand of the elite to guide the masses," and is backed by a maker of presidents. At this point the toad has shed that skin to become a troll. Meanwhile, what has happened to Princess Marcia? Who is the real knight who comes to the rescue? And what happens to that troll? "A Face in the Crowd" is one of the most overlooked films about media manipulation, misuse and abuse of the power of mass appeal by a television personality, a dark look at behind-the-scenes television. What could have been a magic kingdom is twisted by the corruption of power into desolation. The acting is mesmerizing, with kudos going to Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes and Patricia Neal as Marcia. New actor Walter Matthau excels as the intellectual writer behind the scenes, and Lee Remick as Everywoman in love with Lonesome Rhodes. Elia Kazan directs. The film should have been an Academy Award nominee, if not winner. "A Face in the Crowd" is a must-see film and is as relevant today as the day it opened.

I first heard about "A Face in the Crowd" after reading Andy Griffith's obituary in the Raleigh News and Observer. The obituary discussed his performance in the film and how it was so far away from the character of Sheriff Andy Taylor. Growing up in North Carolina Andy Griffith is a legend and is only overshadowed by the myth of Andy Taylor. The Andy Griffith show was the only work of his I had ever really seen and knew about. To me along with a majority of fans, Andy Griffith was Andy Taylor. This image was shattered after watching "A Face in the Crowd". Now, this wasn't a horrible thing, it was a wonderful thing, it add a depth to Mr. Griffith which I had never known. His performance as Lonesome Rhodes was so raw and emotional, nothing like his later work or his TV show. The character changes from a self-centered drunk to a self-centered celebrity. Even though the character is despicable Griffith plays him with so much charm it's amazing, at times you feel bad for hating the guy. It's a shame that he never received a nomination for this film or let alone the Best Actor award. The other driving force in the film is Patricia Neal who holds her own against Griffith. Her role progresses through the entire film and her role seems like a prequel to the character she ends up playing in "Hud". The film also has some hints of "Network" and I got the feeling that Paul Newman and George Kennedy based their performances in "Cool Hand Luke" off of Griffith. The film foretells the impact of television on politics, however, the power of the media over peoples is overstated when looking at the present day. While there are some people that are worshiped in the media, I find it hard to believe they can influence people so easily. But I may be viewed as optimistic when it comes to thinking that people are not mindless sheep. Overall, the story line is compelling and comes off as a satire in today's timeline but the performances make this film memorable. Griffith plays a role that is groundbreaking and should be witnessed by any Griffith fan.

Once in a while a movie comes out that is so amazing or ahead of its time that it doesn't garner the critical or public reception that it deserves (think Blade Runner or Cidade de Deus). Sometimes, if that movie is very fortunate, time redeems it. A Face in the Crowd qualifies in spades. If you look up the accolades of this film you will find no Academy Award nominations in any category. Upon finishing the 152 minutes of sheer genius contained herein you will ask yourself why. Impeccably cast and acted and fearless in its depiction of public manipulation and the destructive path of fame, this movie hits the same significant notes that Network would less than 20 years later (only without the satirical intentions). Like the now 25+ year old Network, the amazing thing about this 50+ year old movie is that the core concept and message of this movie remains intact as we public ignore the obvious and fall for the same old tricks over and over and over. Therefore, among all the engaging parts of this classic Kazan film, it is Walter Matthau's perfectly delivered ending monologue which remains the most poignant scene of this timeless triumph in film making. Queue the automatic applause.

One of my all-time favorite films and my choice for the best political film ever made. I first saw this on television in the early 60s and was blown away by Andy Griffith's overwhelming performance as "Lonesome Rhodes". I was then in my early 20's. Fifty years later I am still blown away, not only by the fine performances of Griffith, Patricia Neal,Walter Matthau,Tony Franciosa and other supporting actors (each wonderful in their own way) but at the message of the film. The film predicted what was to become the American Body Politique; sadly, as is seen everyday on that not-so -little box, what was predictive has become reality and has gone far beyond what Elia Kazan and Budd Schulberg prophesied. Instead of the celebrity becoming the kingmaker, the equally vacuous Celebrity now wishes to be the King himself facing an opponent who appears while certainly more knowledgeable but to many voters, equally repugnant, and to paraphrase writer Arundati Roy, both brought to us "by Proctor & Gamble". The nightmare has become reality and the folks who bring you "Vita-jex" in the film are the same ones who bring us our current crop of soap suds" except neither gets the dirt out and neither is 99% pure. A GREAT FILM! WATCH IT BEFORE YOU VOTE!

The Criterion Collection released on Blu-ray this prescient, bitingly cynical film from 1957 directed by Elia Kazan, written by Budd Schulberg that starred Andy Griffith as "Lonesome" Rhodes, an extroverted rural, guitar playing and singing drifter from Arkansas discovered by a Radio executive (played by Patricia Neal) in the jail drunk tank, who becomes a big hit on radio because of his humor and easy charm, but once he hits the big time on television, lets his newfound riches, fame and public influence go to his head becoming an egotistical monster that must be exposed in order to stop him. Looking superb in a 4K remaster, a big upgrade over the 2005 DVD, porting over those limited extras but also including new interviews with biographers of Griffith and Kazan, features a thick printed essay inside. Good film was a flop in its time but remains incredibly relevant about the corrupting power and influence of television/political personalities that may not be what they seem, both in private and public spheres. Loses steam by the heavy-handed ending, but much of this still holds up today to a distressing degree...

Originally conceived as a warning of what was to come--the confluence of politics, business, and entertainment all through the sights and sounds of television--/A Face In The Crowd/ was originally brushed off by critics and viewers in the 1950s because "it wasn't realistic" (plus some Hollywood politics and reverse blacklisting probably didn't help). Nowadays, this movie is heralded as being prophetic, and in the commentary the screenwriter talks about how he's stopped in the street and told how great this movie is because it describes how things are -now-. The most backhanded compliment one can give to a prophet is to ignore him and then tell him he's right. Andy Griffith is /excellent/ as a nihilistic conman looking for number one, perhaps too much so. Mr. Griffith claims in his interview that he got far too deep into character, and that's probably why ever since he's played good old Mayberry sheriffs--he's essentially a good man who's seen what bad men are, and he's shied away from it. I can respect him for that. I'll just go on the record as saying that his performance here is so good, so visceral, so -real- that he would've had a hard time topping it as a dramatic actor, and indeed his later history as a 'welcome friend in the TV' only gives this movie just that much more power.

Satire at its finest

Just fell in love with Patricia Neal

Soort rock and roll film ieder geval Andy Griffith zingt Mama Guitar Andy Griffith uit 1957.hier in dat rockt!!

A must-have in the collection.Superb 50's cinema.

Love this movie! The case came without any problems, disk works well.