Interesting that Lee tied this film to Network, both movies dealing with cult of personality and the manipulation of the public by the media. Even though I do believe that those themes were missed at the time, these movies turned out to be incredibly prescient. Network did achieve acclaim as it was seen as a commentary on the growing state of 'the news' as infotainment and the devaluing of journalistic integrity. A Face In The Crowd went over everyone's heads when it came out. Another movie that seemed outlandish when it came out but has now proven to be prophetic, The Legend of Billie Jean, predicted a world of social media and it's ability to trend and foster a grass roots movement, even if just for a few days.
Could you imagine going to film school and have Spike Lee as your teacher? He's such an iconic figure. He was one of the only filmmakers of his time to have the courage to say what he thought, not caring what anybody thought. I was 13 when Do the Right Thing came out, it was such a powerful film. Learning that Lee loves A Face in the Crowd as much as i do only reaffirms his greatness
“This movie has a phenomenal soundtrack and some extremely powerful acting. This movie really showed what a talented actor Andy was. He is downright despicable in this film. As “Lonesome Rhodes” he climbs the ladder to success from hobo to fame and power by manipulating the public and using everyone around him. “You’ve got to be a saint to stand up to the power that little box gives you”. Equally slimy is Anthony Franciosa,who uses Lonesome to pull himself out of the mail room. Walter Matthau and Patricia Neal are also superb in this film and the only characters with any redeeming qualities. Even though this film wasn’t a huge success when it was new,mostly because it made fun of the industry that produced it,I think it’s one of the best of that year and one of the finest of Kazans films because it has a powerful message behind it and a terrific cast and soundtrack.
Not the BIGGEST Spike Lee fan....his movies are Hit or Miss for me and more missed than hit with me.....BUT in the lineage of how media effects and corrupts....I would add his movie Bamboozled as the 3rd to A Face In the Crowd and Network as telling the story of the corrupting power of media
@@toyiahm it isn’t though. It’s meant to be a pep pill,,something to give you energy. If you watch any of the real life commercials from the 50’s like the ones for Brylcreem,Aqua Velva,etc they all used sex to sell them. Women would chase after men once they used the product. They weren’t sexual stimulants though. It’s just advertising bullshit.
I think someone should remake you! What would the purpose be in “remaking” this movie? It’s already been made and nobody can top the performance Andy Griffith delivered here. What’s wrong with you? Can’t you watch this movie and appreciate it,or does something have to be in color and filled with profanity to appeal to you? Hollywood is creatively bankrupt,instead of coming up with anything original they take something someone’s already done before and ruin it. Hollywood needs to stop this trend of lazy film making. And Spike Lee is the last person to touch a classic like this. The man is a racist pushing an agenda and fanning the flames of hate and division
@@Dr_C_Smith That’s an entirely subjective comment. I personally can’t stand him as a person or a filmmaker. Just because you get off on his work and his political bs doesn’t mean everyone else needs to share your opinion. Funny how the people claiming to be so “tolerant and open minded”. are so intolerant of someone else’s viewpoint. I love “A face in the crowd” and think it’s definetly one of Elia Kazans finest works,and Andy’s greatest performance,but Spike Lee is the wrong person to interview about this film. He’s not in the same League as Kazan and hasn’t produced anything (in my opinion,and others here) worth watching. I’m sick of his racism and propaganda films. People are people and should be judged by the content of their character and not on the skin color. I’m fed up with the continuous race crap put out. Like Morgan Freeman said. People need to stop talking about it and move on with their lives.
@@Suddenlyits1960 You don’t know what I get off on, so slow down. Let me guess: you’re a white guy who doesn’t understand the importance of representation because you’ve always been represented in American cinema? And even if you are from the perspective, it’s a shame that you can’t appreciate something that speaks to a different experience than your own. Get out of your bubble…. Do better.
Griffith deserved at the very least, an Oscar nom.
I was born in the 90s and I’m in love with this movie
Such a prophetic movie
Interesting that Lee tied this film to Network, both movies dealing with cult of personality and the manipulation of the public by the media. Even though I do believe that those themes were missed at the time, these movies turned out to be incredibly prescient. Network did achieve acclaim as it was seen as a commentary on the growing state of 'the news' as infotainment and the devaluing of journalistic integrity. A Face In The Crowd went over everyone's heads when it came out. Another movie that seemed outlandish when it came out but has now proven to be prophetic, The Legend of Billie Jean, predicted a world of social media and it's ability to trend and foster a grass roots movement, even if just for a few days.
A very powerful film, it may not be for everyone
Could you imagine going to film school and have Spike Lee as your teacher? He's such an iconic figure. He was one of the only filmmakers of his time to have the courage to say what he thought, not caring what anybody thought. I was 13 when Do the Right Thing came out, it was such a powerful film.
Learning that Lee loves A Face in the Crowd as much as i do only reaffirms his greatness
Bamboozled was a loose remake of Face in the Crowd. Spike even dedicated that movie to Budd Schulberg.
@@bobcobb3654I didn’t know that, thanks for the info
I love how Robert Osborne stares at Spike Lee! Hilarious!
I thought that was interesting when Spike Lee said you do your most personal work after your initial hit.
If you don't have a hit you won't be taken seriously to get your message out.
Two different worlds meeting over their love of film.
When I first saw this film, Kazan instantly became my favorite director alongside Christopher Nolan. Absolutely was blown away by it.
Did you know Kazan named names...?
Wow, what an awkward interview with Spike Lee LOL But he's right on the money he truly knows his films..
Very foretelling of our future
"Andy Griffin". 😂
“This movie has a phenomenal soundtrack and some extremely powerful acting. This movie really showed what a talented actor Andy was. He is downright despicable in this film. As “Lonesome Rhodes” he climbs the ladder to success from hobo to fame and power by manipulating the public and using everyone around him. “You’ve got to be a saint to stand up to the power that little box gives you”.
Equally slimy is Anthony Franciosa,who uses Lonesome to pull himself out of the mail room. Walter Matthau and Patricia Neal are also superb in this film and the only characters with any redeeming qualities.
Even though this film wasn’t a huge success when it was new,mostly because it made fun of the industry that produced it,I think it’s one of the best of that year and one of the finest of Kazans films because it has a powerful message behind it and a terrific cast and soundtrack.
Spike looks like a little kid in his dad's suit.
Not the BIGGEST Spike Lee fan....his movies are Hit or Miss for me and more missed than hit with me.....BUT in the lineage of how media effects and corrupts....I would add his movie Bamboozled as the 3rd to A Face In the Crowd and Network as telling the story of the corrupting power of media
Excelent tie in to Network...
Where was it? You Tube took it.
Vita-Jex is supposed to be a parody of Geritol.
Still predates Viagra though. The entire "commercial" for Vita-jex is about it being a sexual stimulant and not a vitamin supplement.
@@toyiahm it isn’t though. It’s meant to be a pep pill,,something to give you energy. If you watch any of the real life commercials from the 50’s like the ones for Brylcreem,Aqua Velva,etc they all used sex to sell them. Women would chase after men once they used the product. They weren’t sexual stimulants though. It’s just advertising bullshit.
@@Suddenlyits1960you couldn’t exactly come out and say your drug was a sexual aid in 50s advertising.
I think Spike Lee should Remake this movie
I think someone should remake you! What would the purpose be in “remaking” this movie? It’s already been made and nobody can top the performance Andy Griffith delivered here. What’s wrong with you? Can’t you watch this movie and appreciate it,or does something have to be in color and filled with profanity to appeal to you? Hollywood is creatively bankrupt,instead of coming up with anything original they take something someone’s already done before and ruin it. Hollywood needs to stop this trend of lazy film making. And Spike Lee is the last person to touch a classic like this. The man is a racist pushing an agenda and fanning the flames of hate and division
@@Suddenlyits1960 he hasn't made a decent film in 30 years.
Spike Who?
Lse
Stop it.
He’s a great filmmaker. If you can’t see the genius behind his films, that’s on you, not him.
@@Dr_C_Smith That’s an entirely subjective comment. I personally can’t stand him as a person or a filmmaker. Just because you get off on his work and his political bs doesn’t mean everyone else needs to share your opinion. Funny how the people claiming to be so “tolerant and open minded”. are so intolerant of someone else’s viewpoint.
I love “A face in the crowd” and think it’s definetly one of Elia Kazans finest works,and Andy’s greatest performance,but Spike Lee is the wrong person to interview about this film. He’s not in the same League as Kazan and hasn’t produced anything (in my opinion,and others here) worth watching. I’m sick of his racism and propaganda films. People are people and should be judged by the content of their character and not on the skin color. I’m fed up with the continuous race crap put out. Like Morgan Freeman said. People need to stop talking about it and move on with their lives.
@@Suddenlyits1960 You don’t know what I get off on, so slow down.
Let me guess: you’re a white guy who doesn’t understand the importance of representation because you’ve always been represented in American cinema?
And even if you are from the perspective, it’s a shame that you can’t appreciate something that speaks to a different experience than your own. Get out of your bubble…. Do better.
Great movie. But this Spike dude can go away.
Agree. Why they chose this bigoted clown to discuss this film is beyond me.
Why can’t he speak 🙄
Why speak can't he.
Lee mentions the correlation between "A Face in the Crowd" & "Network". I would also see the similarities with "The Great Dictator".