A Face in the Crowd (1957) Directed by Elia Kazan. 2hr 5min. Not Rated.
A searing political satire from Elia Kazan, A Face in the Crowd follows the rise of Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes, a media sensation with a hunger for fame. However, after a devastating public gaffe, he is rebuked by the fans who once worshipped him. Released when McCarthy-era paranoia was at its peak, the film offers an early warning about the seductive nature of celebrity demagoguery. Paul Reubens’ all-time favorite film poignantly ends with Rhodes’ writer Mel promising that he will work again in television, but never with the same level of popularity. “One day people will ask whatever happened to what’s-his-name, he was so famous, how can we forget a name like that?”
We do not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, and films exhibited don’t necessarily reflect the views of PAM CUT or the Portland Art Museum. In addition to the synopses, trailers, and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on sites like Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com.
