"A Face in the Crowd" Unveils the Power of Propaganda

A Face in the Crowd is a classic movie portraying the ease of the mass media’s domination over a credulous audience. Acclaimed actor, Grammy Award winning singer, writer and producer, Andy Griffith gives us a taste of the thin line between love and hate. Griffith, who plays a charismatic, loud-mouthed, eccentric, country drunkard, first captures the audience with his good natured spirit and "home on the range" songs before making the audience despise him as fame and fortune changes him for the worst. Also starring in the film is Academy Award winning actress Patricia Neal who plays Marcia Jeffries, a head-strong, independent journalist who gives Larry Rhodes (Griffith) a break into the media biz along with an oh-so-catchy nickname, "Lonesome Rhodes".

The Face in the Crowd is worth the couple of bucks to view the potential power of the mass media on its audience and the psychological affects fame can have on a person.

Intending to create controversy and to take radio to another level, Jeffries interviews a drunk drifter (Griffith) in a local jail and discovers his illustrious super-star potential. She tracks him down and persuades him to star on her uncle’s radio show. As fast as he finds female companions in this movie, and that is FAST, does he find greater opportunities to exploit his fame and everyone else around him. With every show and with every quirky song, Rhodes gets more famous and becomes a HOT commodity for money hungry media giants. He becomes his audience’s best friend, their idol and their consumer advisor. Ultimately, he becomes so influential from his immense popularity and his ability to manipulate, that he steps into the position of a political adviser.

Viewers will appreciate the moral of the story. Academy Award winning director, Elia Kazan, does a tremendous job conveying the power that the mass media can hold on its audience. Although produced in the 1950's, Kazan's clear understanding and portrayal of propaganda and the mass media can easily be applied the issues of today. A Face in the Crowd is the perfect movie for those gullible enough to get suckered on a daily basis. This movie will make you think twice about your next purchase, political vote, and new best friend.