Lonesome Rhodes

Of all the 50s films I've watched so far, 2 of the best have been from director Elia Kazan. The first was "On The Waterfront", which is among the best movies I've ever seen. "A Face in the Crowd" (1957) was Kazan's next film. It was widely ignored when it was first released, but has since risen from obscurity to be considered one of the most underrated films of all time. It stars Andy Griffith as a loud laughing alcoholic musician/hobo named Lonesome Rhodes who becomes a famous TV personality after being discovered on a traveling radio show. He possesses an infectious personality that people are drawn to, and he soon becomes a egotistical monster at the expence of his rapid fame, turning on everyone who made him a star. It's very strange to see Andy of Maybery in a serious self-distructive role, be his personality fits. At the time Griffith was a comedian with little acting experience. Oddly, his lack of acting prowess adds to the film because his character is a pretender, a man who is constantly putting on a front and playing the crowd.

In the special features of the DVD, there's a great extra about "A Face in the Crowd" explaining the deeper meaning. Elia Kazan was an early member of the communist party in the 30's (as were many in Hollywood who saw communism as an answer to social justice), and during McCarthyism he became a key figure in the infamous trails. He ratted on other Hollywood communists because by the 50s he had come to believe that communism was evil, and the next day he took out a full page ad in the New York Times encouraging others to come forward and defending his actions. This backfired in a huge way, and overnight he went from being the most respected director of his day to public enemy number 1. His career was never the same. The success of this movie no doubt suffered huge Kazan's reputation at the time. What makes the movie great is the core prophetic message of the dangers in mass media. Kazan is absolutly taking shots at Joseph McCarthy and the emergence of the modern political system through scenes with Lonesome Rhodes and prominant politician.

The scenes depict the characters working out a strategy that includes appearing on TV holding a dog, acting laid-back and approachable, and publicly using the nickname Curly to appear normal to the masses. Kazan is saying that in the TV age, getting elected is all about looking good on TV, gaining mass appeal, and associating ones self with popular figures. Does this sound firmiliar in 2008? If it doesn't, perhaps closer attention needs to paid to the election. This strategy of TV appeal is core to modern electioneering. These were issues that were new to people in the 1950s with the boom of mass media and consumerism. Kazan's method of working with emotions in his actors plays perfectly to his point, and makes this film way ahead of it's time. Now that I've told the entire plot and meaning, I suppose I've given a little bit away- oh well, go watch it anyway. It's great, and it looks fantastic shot in glorious black and white.