Despite becoming deeply unpopular in certain Hollywood circles by being amongst the first to "name names" at the McCarthy hearings in the early '50s, director Elia Kazan made an amazing roster of classic films both before and after. These include "Boomerang", "A Gentleman's Agreement", "A Streetcar Named Desire", "On the Waterfront", and "East of Eden". He was famed as an actors' director and numerous award nominations followed for his casts. However one of his very best pictures and one that received no awards is this one. Written by Budd Schulberg (also a Hollywood legend) it tells how the niece (Patricia Neal) of a local radio station owner in Arkansas finds a drunken itinerant in the town jail where she has gone to do her morning broadcast. Played by Andy Griffith, he is soon christened "Lonesome" Rhodes and becomes an immediate hit for his homespun philosophy and impromptu folk songs. What doesn't emerge immediately, although there are early hints, is the beast that exists beneath the ingratiating exterior.
As his popularity grows he is wooed by radio stations and then television networks further afield and Neal travels with him to manage his career; however she is only able to maintain short-term control by giving herself, albeit willingly, sexually to a man with a lusty appetite. Along the way they meet up with network writer Walter Matthau in an early and engagingly caustic role and jumped-up office boy Anthony Francioso who pushes Rhodes to even greater heights through a combination of cunning and lies. As Rhodes gains millions of fans, the demagogue within soon realises the effect he can have on politics and is en route to sitting in the pocket of the next President-to-be. However when on a sex-driven whim he marries a nubile teenaged twirler (Lee Remick in her first movie role), Neal finally snaps and the wheels of Rhodes' eventual fall are set in motion.
This film may not be as garlanded as other Kazan productions, but perhaps it was before its time with its tale of media manipulation. If nothing else, Griffith's creation of a memorable monster was truly remarkable and should have been recognized. The movie deserves to be rediscovered and to take its place amongst the great Hollywood pictures.
1 comment:
I have not seen this one either...hope that you are doing well! Have a great week! Hugs,TerryAnn
Post a Comment