A Face in the Crowd

[murielm99]

Has anyone here seen this movie? It is an underrated masterpiece.

It stars Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau and Lee Remick.

Griffith is a drifter. He is discovered by Neal, who hosts a local radio show. Griffith's character goes on from the local jail to become a powerful celebrity. His evil side is there all along, but it is hidden by his down-home charm.

It is a good film to watch now, because it examines the intersection between show business, big business and politics. It was made in 1957, and is prophetic about the power of television, which was in its infancy back then. Mike Wallace is in the movie too, playing himself.

I love the way the movie goes noirish near the end. It suits the mood perfectly. And Patricia Neal's face is perfect for that sort of filming.

Rent it if you get a chance. It is a wonderful movie.

[BuelahWitch]

1. I rented it last summer from Netflix

after reading a thread about it in GD. It just goes to show you what anyone with the gift of gab, some charisma and little else can accomplish.
I'm glad the company who produced the DVD had the aforethought to do a "making of" documentary with Griffith, Neal and Budd Schulberg.

[RebelOne]

2. I saw it when it first came out.

That movie made Lee Remick a star. She was an unknown before then.

[murielm99]

4. Lee Remic was so beautiful.

She had very few lines in this movie, but I fully understand why this film made her a star. I wish she was still with us.

[NMDemDist2]

3. I watched it a couple months ago

chilling in an odd way, a good depiction of the 'monsters among us'

[SeattleGirl]

5. A friend of mine was just telling me about this movie last week.

And I just added it to my Netflix queue.