"Lonesome Rhodes" Lead to Lonely Days

Elia Kazan’s 1957 DGA nominated movie, “A Face in the Crowd” is soon turning 50 years old and this classic is definitely making its comeback. As I watched this film recently, I noticed a remarkable relevance to today’s culture. Marcia Jefferies (Patricia Neal) brings her broadcast to a small, local jail. Shortly into her program, she discovers an outspoken, Arkansas hobo, Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes (Andy Griffith). His candid outbursts and contagious laugh attract the public and he is shot into superstardom. Jefferies is pulled to the top with her newfound star, but she is the only person capable of keeping him sane once he becomes bigheaded with his popularity. Throughout the film, Lonesome becomes obsessed with his power over the public and his once sought after laughter turns to arrogance.

Through “A Face in the Crowd”, Kazan depicts the types of people that are seen all over the media. We can relate his characters from this classic to the media moguls that we see in our society today. Some stars often abuse their power over the public and act in inappropriate ways. Others get their “15 minutes of fame” and think that they can rule the world. In the end, this behavior is positively received and rejected by our society. It is hard for a movie to teach us such a strong lesson, but it is rare that such a classic can still have such an impact and relevance to current society. Even after 50 years, “A Face in the Crowd” continues to engage its viewers, while teaching an important lesson.