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© 2026 Criteria. Not affiliated with The Criterion Collection.

Still from A Face in the Crowd — A Face in the Crowd (1957) — Elia KazanPhotographed by Gayne Rescher and Harry Stradling Sr.

Poster for A Face in the Crowd

A Face in the Crowd

United States / English / 1957 / 2h 5m

Not streamingNot currently on the Criterion Channel.

Criterion Collection: Spine №970
Letterboxd: 4.20/5·30K ratings·8.5K reviewson Letterboxd
Connections: View Connections

Synopsis

The rise of a raucous hayseed named Lonesome Rhodes from itinerant Ozark guitar picker to local media rabble-rouser to TV superstar and political king-maker. Marcia Jeffries is the innocent Sarah Lawrence girl who discovers the great man in a back-country jail and is the first to fall under his spell.

Jason Sudeikis
Aug 2026
Danny McBride
Jun 2026

Noah Wyle

Apr 2026

Ari Aster

Jul 2025

Julia Fox

Jan 2025

Molly Ringwald

Mar 2024

Neal Brennan

Nov 2022

Marc Maron

Oct 2022

Lee Grant#3

Included in
Cast Against Type: Heroes as Villains
Position 7
Included in
Directed by Elia Kazan
Position 9
Included in
November 2021
Position 32
Included in
Caught on Tape
Position 1

Credits

Crew

DirectorElia Kazan

WriterBudd Schulberg

CinematographerGayne Rescher, Harry Stradling Sr.

ComposerTom Glazer

EditorGene Milford

ProducerElia Kazan

Cast

Andy Griffithas Larry 'Lonesome' Rhodes

Patricia Nealas Marcia Jeffries

Anthony Franciosaas Joey DePalma

Walter Matthauas Mel Miller

Lee Remickas Betty Lou Fleckum

Percy Waramas General Haynesworth

Paul McGrathas Macey

Rod Brasfieldas Beanie

Marshall Neilanas Senator Worthington Fuller

Alexander Kirklandas Jim Collier

Charles Irvingas Mr. Luffler

Howard Smithas J.B. Jeffries

Kay Medfordas First Mrs. Rhodes

Big Jeff Bessas Sheriff Big Jeff Bess

Henry Sharpas Abe Steiner

R.G. Armstrongas Teleprompter Operator (uncredited)

Lois Nettletonas Mr. Macey's Nurse (uncredited)

Diana Sandsas Homeless Woman (uncredited)

Rip Tornas Barry Mills (uncredited)

Beverly Bentleyas Page Girl (uncredited)

Double Feature

Streaming now, and why it pairs with this film

Poster for Baby Doll

Baby Doll1956

Both directed by Elia Kazan

Leaving Oct 31

Related Films

via Criterion Collection

Poster for Sweet Smell of Success

Sweet Smell of Success

1957

Poster for On the Waterfront

On the Waterfront

1954

Poster for Seconds

Seconds

1966

Articles

via Criterion Collection

On the Road with Elia Kazan and Budd SchulbergApr 26, 2019
A Face in the Crowd: American CharacterApril Wolfe — Apr 23, 2019
Cinema in the Surveillance ZoneNov 8, 2019

A Face in the Crowd (1957) | Criteria