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Cast

Andy Griffith
as Lonesome Rhodes

Patricia Neal
as Marcia Jeffries

Anthony Franciosa
as Joey Kiely

Walter Matthau
as Mel Miller

Lee Remick
as Betty Lou Fleckum

Percy Waram
as Col. Hollister

Rod Brasfield
as Beanie

Charles Irving
as Mr. Luffler

Howard Smith
as J.B. Jeffries

Howard I. Smith
as J.B. Jeffries

Paul McGrath
as Macey

Kay Medford
as First Mrs. Rhodes

Alexander Kirkland
as Jim Collier

Marshall Neilan
as Sen. Fuller

Big Jeff Bess
as Sheriff Hosmer

Henry Sharp
as Abe Steiner

Lois Nettleton

Willie Feibel
as 1st Printer

Larry Casazza
as 2nd Printer

Rip Torn

Faye Emerson
as Herself

Betty Furness
as Herself

Virginia Graham
as Herself

Burl Ives
as Himself

John Cameron Swayze
as Himself

Mike Wallace
as Himself

Walter Winchell
as Himself

John Bliss

Amanda Robinson

Suzanne Ballard

Bunny McCallum

Sandra Wirth
as baton twirler

Kim Chan
as Radio Announcer

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Critic Reviews for A Face in the Crowd

Audience Reviews for A Face in the Crowd

• Apr 03, 2018

  A drifter becomes a radio personality, becomes a television personality, becomes a national influence, all by cleverly telling people what they want to hear while playing a simpleton. It so closely hews to the current trump presidency that it counts as precognitive. Andy Griffith is a whirlwind force as the cheesy manipulator but Patricia Neal holds her own as the woman holding onto a lit firecracker (no pun intended). Lee Remick surprises by baton twirling.
  Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
• Apr 21, 2012

  This movie is absolutely terrifying. The combination of the eerily truthful prediction of the conglomeration of business, media, politics, and popular personality to manipulate the public along with Andy Griffith's manic performance (Its probably the best thing he's ever done) creates a film that still feels relevant, like its warning us of something we still have the capability to stop. I hesitate to praise it too much on that basis, as the film has so many other great elements (Patricia Neal, Kazan's direction) . . . its just outstanding on all fronts.
  

  Alec B Super Reviewer
• Oct 20, 2009

  Andy Griffith as a country boy who has nothing then has everything & back to nothing again.WOW!!! I cant believe I hadnt heard of this flick earlier.What a GREAT movie
  Brody M Super Reviewer
• Jul 05, 2009

  WOW. Who knew he had it in him?!! Andy Griffith -- yes, THAT Andy Griffith -- gives a blistering performance in his first film role as Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes, a drunk, belligerent drifter "discovered" by Arkansas radio personality Patricia Neal. He starts off small as a hayseed philosopher/musician, then gets more and more famous until he is a nationwide star and teen heartthrob with his own show. In the process, he becomes (or maybe reveals himself to be) a megalomanical bastard. He's a womanizer, a heavy drinker, loud, abusive, moneygrubbing and insensitive. But also, he is handsome and lusty, and brings Miss Prim Patricia Neal out of her sexual shell. The scene of her inviting him into her hotel room and the kiss in the hall was HOT. The scene close to the end where he is on a balcony, his life and fame falling apart around him, reminds one almost of Adolf Hitler or Mussolini, getting high on the adulation of his fans. How he went from a wildman character like this to mild-mannered Mayberry Sheriff Andy Taylor I will never know. I remember years ago another film -- called Murder in Coweta County -- in which Griffith played an amoral character, and people were shocked -- that is, except for anyone who had ever seen this film. I'm curious though....I wonder if the impact was the same for the people who didn't have Andy Taylor to compare Lonesome Rhodes to? Maybe they were instead amazed how such a complete asshole could play a quiet noble character like Andy? The world may never know...
  Cindy I Super Reviewer

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