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IMDbPro

A Face in the Crowd

  • 19571957
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 6m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal in A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:12
1 Video
99+ Photos
DramaMusic
A female radio reporter turns a folk-singing drifter into a powerful media star.A female radio reporter turns a folk-singing drifter into a powerful media star.A female radio reporter turns a folk-singing drifter into a powerful media star.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
16K
YOUR RATING
    • Elia Kazan
    • Budd Schulberg(story)
  • Stars
    • Andy Griffith
    • Patricia Neal
    • Anthony Franciosa
    • Elia Kazan
    • Budd Schulberg(story)
  • Stars
    • Andy Griffith
    • Patricia Neal
    • Anthony Franciosa
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 195User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    A Face in the Crowd
    Trailer 2:12
    Watch A Face in the Crowd

    Photos153

    Anthony Franciosa, Andy Griffith, and Patricia Neal in A Face in the Crowd (1957)
    "A Face in the Crowd" Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Brothers
    "A Face In The Crowd" Andy Griffith & Patricia Neal 1957 Warner Bros.
    "A Face in the Crowd" Andy Griffith and Director Elia Kazan on the set
    "A Face In The Crowd" Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Bros.
    "A Face In The Crowd" Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Bros.
    "A Face In The Crowd" Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Bros.
    "A Face In The Crowd" Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Bros.
    "A Face in the Crowd" Patricia Neal, Andy Griffith 1957 Warner Brothers
    "A Face in the Crowd" Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal 1957 Warner Brothers
    "A Face in the Crowd" Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal 1957 Warner Brothers
    Director Elia Kazan with John Cameron Swayze during the making of "A Face in the Crowd" 1957 Warner Brothers

    Top cast

    Edit
    Andy Griffith
    Andy Griffith
    • Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes
    Patricia Neal
    Patricia Neal
    • Marcia Jeffries
    Anthony Franciosa
    Anthony Franciosa
    • Joey DePalma
    Walter Matthau
    Walter Matthau
    • Mel Miller
    Lee Remick
    Lee Remick
    • Betty Lou Fleckum
    Percy Waram
    Percy Waram
    • Gen. Haynesworth
    Paul McGrath
    Paul McGrath
    • Macey
    Rod Brasfield
    • Beanie
    Marshall Neilan
    Marshall Neilan
    • Sen. Worthington Fuller
    Alexander Kirkland
    Alexander Kirkland
    • Jim Collier
    Charles Irving
    • Mr. Luffler
    Howard Smith
    Howard Smith
    • J.B. Jeffries
    Kay Medford
    Kay Medford
    • First Mrs. Rhodes
    Big Jeff Bess
    • Sheriff Big Jeff Bess
    Henry Sharp
    • Abe Steiner
    R.G. Armstrong
    R.G. Armstrong
    • Teleprompter Operator
    • (uncredited)
    Beverly Bentley
    • Page Girl
    • (uncredited)
    John Bliss
    John Bliss
    • Barefoot Baritone
    • (uncredited)
      • Elia Kazan
      • Budd Schulberg(story) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was Patricia Neal's return to the screen after a four-year absence from Hollywood, an absence that was precipitated by a much-publicized affair with Gary Cooper (who was married at the time) and a subsequent nervous breakdown.
    • Goofs
      Just before Larry goes on air during his first TV appearance, the straw in his mouth disappears between shots.
    • Quotes

      Mel Miller: [commenting on one of Lonesome Rhodes' on-air tirades after the two have had a falling out] I'll say one thing for him, he's got the courage of his ignorance.

    • Connections
      Featured in Great Balls of Fire! (1989)
    • Soundtracks
      Free Man in the Morning
      (uncredited)

      Music by Tom Glazer

      Lyrics by Budd Schulberg

      Sung by Andy Griffith

    User reviews195

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    "A guitar beats a woman every time!"
    This film shows what a fine actor Andy Griffith truly is, and what roles he could have mastered had he not chosen the Mayberry path instead.

    Directed by Elia Kazan, the political drama and satire of commercialism "A Face in the Crowd" is the story of Lonesome Rhodes (Griffith), a charismatic guitar-playing drifter who is discovered by radio executive Marcia Jeffries (the husky-voiced 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. In fact, Lonesome Rhodes is a slimy, 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 gives a blazing performance that rivals Burt Lancaster's in "Elmer Gantry" (for which Lancaster won an Oscar). That this film wasn't even nominated for any awards is very surprising.

    I also am saddened that it's never been released on DVD; it's one of the best of its kind I have ever seen, and was certainly Griffith's plum role and best performance. With a stellar supporting cast, including Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau, Tony Franciosa and a beautiful 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.
    helpful•68
    7
    • ClassicAndCampFilmReviews
    • Jan 20, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 1, 1957 (United States)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • HBOMAX (United States)
      • Official site
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Iverson Ranch - 1 Iverson Lane, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Newtown Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 6 minutes
      • Black and White

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