A Face in the Crowd 1957
Directed by
Elia Kazan
Made by
Warner Bros.
Plot Summary
The film is set in late 1950s America, a period when television was swiftly taking over radio as the premiere source of entertainment. Enter Lonesome Rhodes, a coarse yet charismatic character who, despite his abrasive nature, quickly captures the hearts of rural audiences. This magnetic allure is discovered by Marcia Jeffries, a small-town radio host, when she stumbles upon Rhodes in a county jail located in the fictional town of Pickett, Arkansas. She promptly secures him a radio show, launching his chaotic journey into the world of broadcasting.
Before long, Rhodes’s talent draws the attention of talent scouts, leading to an appearance on television in Memphis, Tennessee. Here, he meets Mel Miller, a scholarly Vanderbilt alumnus responsible for crafting his on-air scripts. Rhodes’s reputation grows as he unabashedly insults his sponsors, particularly the “Luffler Mattress” company. Surprisingly, this reckless behavior boosts their sales, compelling the company to endure the ridicule they initially found offensive—mainly because of the influence of the owner’s wife, a devoted Lonesome Rhodes fan.
An ambitious office employee, portrayed by Anthony Franciosa, manages to secure Rhodes a lucrative contract in New York City, marking his ascent as the national TV spokesperson for Vitajex, a harmless dietary supplement. One of the film’s standout sequences showcases a frenetic montage of Rhodes’s exaggerated advertisements, illustrating the American public’s naiveté in the face of a cunning charlatan.
In true classical tragedy fashion, Rhodes ultimately succumbs to his insatiable quest for power and is betrayed by Jeffries, who, after nurturing his stardom, can no longer tolerate his open disdain for their audience. During the climax of a “Cracker Barrel” broadcast, Rhodes can be seen smiling and waving at the camera, all the while hurling insults off-air, calling viewers “idiots” and “morons.” Realizing her role in crafting the monster, Jeffries retaliates by broadcasting his scornful remarks live, igniting a storm of outrage from betrayed fans, which floods the network with furious calls.
In a poignant visual metaphor, as audience approval rapidly declines, an oblivious Rhodes descends in an elevator, unaware of his diminishing popularity. The film culminates in chaos at Rhodes’s penthouse, where Jeffries confesses her role in his downfall, and Walter Matthau ominously predicts his future—a return to the airwaves, though far less glamorous than before. There’s also a fleeting moment featuring an uncredited Rip Torn as “Barry Mills,” symbolizing the next potential Lonesome Rhodes waiting in the wings.
In interviews for the 2006 DVD release and the consequential documentary, Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal, and Anthony Franciosa express immense pride in their contributions to this remarkable film, while Schulberg delves into its deeper origins.
Timeline
The Rise of Lonesome Rhodes
In the late 1950s, television begins overshadowing radio as the primary entertainment medium in America. Lonesome Rhodes, a rough-hewn and charismatic figure, emerges as a captivating personality who quickly gains the affection of rural listeners.
Discovery by Marcia Jeffries
Marcia Jeffries, a small-town radio host, encounters Rhodes while he is incarcerated in the local county jail. Recognizing his talent, she secures him a radio show that launches his tumultuous foray into the broadcasting world.
Television Breakthrough
Rhodes's charisma and talent catch the eye of talent scouts, propelling him to television in Memphis, Tennessee. There, he collaborates with Mel Miller, a Vanderbilt graduate, who assists in crafting his show scripts.
Controversial Sponsorship
As Rhodes' fame escalates, he infamously insults his sponsors, particularly the 'Luffler Mattress' company. Surprisingly, this brashness increases the company's sales, as the owner's wife, a devoted fan of Rhodes, influences their tolerance of his jibes.
Launching into National Fame
An ambitious office employee manages to secure Rhodes a prestigious contract in New York City. This opportunity establishes him as the national spokesperson for Vitajex, a dietary supplement, marking a significant milestone in his rising career.
Montage of Advertisements
One notable sequence highlights a frenetic montage showcasing Rhodes's over-the-top advertisements for Vitajex. This scene illustrates the American public's unsuspecting gullibility in the face of a manipulative charlatan.
Descent into Tyranny
As Rhodes's ambition grows, he becomes increasingly ruthlessly power-hungry. His disdain for the audience, whom he once charmed, becomes evident as he loses touch with the very people who elevated him to stardom.
The Betrayal of Marcia Jeffries
After a long period nurturing his success, Marcia Jeffries can no longer withstand Rhodes's overt contempt for their audience. This climax occurs during a 'Cracker Barrel' broadcast, where he insults viewers off-air while appearing amiable on camera.
The Live Confession
In a dramatic turn, Jeffries broadcasts Rhodes's derogatory comments live, igniting a fury among viewers who feel betrayed. This revelation floods the network with angry calls, leading to widespread outrage against Rhodes.
Rhodes's Downward Spiral
As public approval plummets, Rhodes remains oblivious to his waning popularity while descending in an elevator. This moment serves as a poignant visual metaphor for his imminent downfall from stardom.
Final Confrontation and Confession
In a chaotic scene at his penthouse, Jeffries confronts Rhodes about her part in his downfall. The tension peaks as Walter Matthau ominously hints at Rhodes's future return to broadcasting, albeit in a far less glamorous capacity.
A New Dawn of Charisma
The film concludes with a fleeting appearance of an uncredited Rip Torn, signaling the emergence of another hopeful personality like Lonesome Rhodes. This moment encapsulates the cyclic nature of fame and the inevitable rise of a new star.
Legacy and Reflection
In interviews for the 2006 DVD release and a documentary, cast members express pride in their contributions to this iconic film. Schulberg discusses the deeper origins of the storyline, emphasizing the film's cultural significance.
Characters
Lonesome Rhodes
Lonesome Rhodes is a coarse yet charismatic figure who captivates audiences with his blend of charm and abrasive honesty. His journey from obscurity in a county jail to national fame illustrates both his magnetic appeal and the dark side of celebrity culture. As his power grows, so does his disdain for the very audience that elevated him, leading to his tragic downfall.
Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal)
Marcia Jeffries is a small-town radio host who discovers Lonesome Rhodes and propels him to fame. Initially enamored by his talent, she becomes increasingly aware of his toxic nature and the consequences of her actions in promoting him. Her character embodies the struggle between ambition and ethical responsibility, ultimately leading to her betrayal of Rhodes as she seeks to expose his true character.
Mel Miller (Walter Matthau)
Mel Miller is a scholarly character who serves as Lonesome Rhodes’s scriptwriter. He is portrayed as a voice of reason amidst the chaos surrounding Rhodes's rise to fame. Miller's intellectual background contrasts sharply with Rhodes's raw charisma, making him a crucial figure in the narrative as he attempts to navigate the complex dynamics of fame and morality.
Ambitious Office Employee (Anthony Franciosa)
The ambitious office employee is a pivotal figure in securing Rhodes's lucrative television contract. His eagerness to exploit Rhodes's talent for personal gain highlights the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry. His character serves as a representation of ambition devoid of integrity, further complicating the moral landscape of the film.
Setting
Time period
Late 1950s
The film takes place in the late 1950s, a transformative era in America marked by the rapid rise of television as the dominant media platform, overtaking radio. This period was characterized by shifting cultural values and the emergence of celebrity culture, as entertainers began to wield significant influence over public opinion and consumer behavior.
Location
Pickett, Arkansas, Memphis, Tennessee, New York City
The movie is set in the fictional town of Pickett, Arkansas, representing a small rural community that reflects simpler values. It then transitions to Memphis, Tennessee, a bustling city known for its vibrant music and television industry. Finally, New York City represents the pinnacle of entertainment, where Lonesome Rhodes achieves national fame.
Themes
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Media Manipulation
One of the central themes of the film is the manipulation of media and the audience's perception. Lonesome Rhodes exemplifies how charisma can be weaponized to sell products and shape public opinion, highlighting the ethical dilemmas involved in broadcasting. The film critiques the naiveté of viewers who can be easily influenced by charming personalities, regardless of their true intentions.
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Betrayal and Consequences
The narrative explores themes of betrayal, particularly in the relationship between Rhodes and Marcia Jeffries. As Rhodes's egotism grows, Jeffries faces the moral dilemma of her role in his rise and eventual fall. The film ultimately delivers a cautionary tale about the consequences of ambition and the costs of unchecked power, culminating in a dramatic downfall.
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