A Face in the Crowd 1957
"POWER! He loved it! He took it raw in big gulpfuls … he liked the taste, the way it mixed with the bourbon and the sin in his blood!"
Directed by Elia Kazan, *A Face in the Crowd (1957)* is a sharp, ahead-of-its-time drama that tracks the explosive rise of Lonesome Rhodes, a folksy but charismatic Arkansas drifter who transforms from a small-town troubadour into a magnetic radio and television personality.
Director: Elia Kazan
Cast
Andy Griffith
Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes
Patricia Neal
Marcia Jeffries
Anthony Franciosa
Joey DePalma
Walter Matthau
Mel Miller
Lee Remick
Betty Lou Fleckum
Percy Waram
General Haynesworth
Paul McGrath
Macey
Rod Brasfield
Beanie
Marshall Neilan
Senator Worthington Fuller
Alexander Kirkland
Jim Collier
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Face in the Crowd (1957) about?
The film follows Lonesome Rhodes, a down-home singer discovered in a rural jail, whose magnetic charm catapults him from obscurity to national stardom as a TV personality and political kingmaker. But as his fame grows, so does his ego and recklessness, threatening to undo both himself and those who once believed in him.
Who directed A Face in the Crowd?
Elia Kazan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind classics like *On the Waterfront* and *A Streetcar Named Desire*, directed *A Face in the Crowd*. Known for his insightful portrayals of American life, Kazan crafts a prescient critique of media manipulation and public adoration.
Who stars in A Face in the Crowd?
The film features Andy Griffith in his breakthrough role as Lonesome Rhodes, alongside Patricia Neal as the idealistic talent scout Marcia Jeffries, Anthony Franciosa, Walter Matthau, and Lee Remick.
Is A Face in the Crowd (1957) worth watching?
Absolutely. With its razor-sharp script, unforgettable performances—especially Griffith's breakout turn—and timeless themes about media influence, *A Face in the Crowd* remains a chillingly relevant drama. Though nearly 70 years old, its exploration of fame and manipulation feels eerily modern.
How long is A Face in the Crowd?
The film runs 125 minutes, offering a tightly paced journey through one man's rise and fall.
🎥 Trailer
About A Face in the Crowd (1957) — Andy Griffith's electrifying debut in a media-age morality tale
Directed by Elia Kazan, *A Face in the Crowd (1957)* is a sharp, ahead-of-its-time drama that tracks the explosive rise of Lonesome Rhodes, a folksy but charismatic Arkansas drifter who transforms from a small-town troubadour into a magnetic radio and television personality. With his folksy charm and raw, unfiltered wit, Rhodes captivates audiences—first locally, then nationally—until his influence peaks as a political kingmaker. Yet beneath his polished veneer simmers a dangerous cocktail of ambition, arrogance, and self-destruction, fueled by alcohol and an insatiable lust for power.
This gripping character study, driven by Andy Griffith's electrifying debut performance, explores the dark allure of fame and the thin line between populist hero and manipulative villain. As the idealistic Marcia Jeffries, played by Patricia Neal, guides Rhodes' meteoric ascent, their relationship becomes a microcosm of idealism versus cynicism in an emerging media landscape. Kazan crafts a biting satire on power, charisma, and the corrosive nature of celebrity, all wrapped in the restless energy of 1950s America.
