A Face in the Crowd (1957)

January 20, 2026 was 100th birthday of actress Patricia Neal. Actor Andy Griffith's 100th birthday will be celebrated on June 1, 2026. Luckily for us they left behind 66 film roles between them, including the only film in which they co-starred, this month's viewing A Face in the Crowd.

The story plucks an ignorant guitar-playing hillbilly from an Arkansas jail and converts him in a short space of time to America’s most popular and beloved television personality. He is in private life an unsavory character, a libertine and an opportunist with loyalty to no one but himself. He enters the political arena, becomes aligned with an ‘isolationist’ senator, and pitches an extreme reactionary philosophy. (Rotten Tomatoes)

Along with Neal and Griffith there are strong performances from supporting cast members Anthony Franciosa, Lee Remick (making her film debut), and Walter Matthau in a rare non-comedic roles.

Check this site to see where the film can be streamed
https://www.justwatch.com/us/search?q=A%20face%20in%20the%20crowd (including free on hoopla). The Criterion Collection has put the film out on DVD, so check your local library for the disc. Then join us on the 22nd to discuss! The Zoom link to join will be available once you RSVP.