A Face in the Crowd is a classic rag to wealthy story about a country bumpkin being interviewed for a local radio show, and he learns quickly that people appreciate his real-world attitude and playful musical style. I still struggle with such movies because they all seem to follow the same formula. It's that classic fame story that corrupts the once innocent man and makes him a monster. I can't count the number of films and TV episodes following this precise blueprint. There is usually some kind of substance abuse associated with the that notoriety, and possibly a love interest that can not acknowledge the fact that the person they love is changing for the worse. The only real mystery is whether at the end they will be saved or tainted by the fame they once sought. I'm going to admit that this is one of the best story versions, but it didn't have much to keep me entertained because I knew where it was going. The ensemble is what lifts A Face in the crowd over some of the lesser movies of "corrupting fame." Andy Griffith is so endearing with that perfect downhome charm, you can see why people love him immediately. Patricia Neal is perfect as the lovelorn girl who makes him become popular once he gets there. And as always, Walter Matthau is brilliant with a few jaw-dropping remarks, even though he was quite underused. There's a reason these reports are still being produced to this day because they still have relevance. That's one of the cool things about A Face in the crowd, it's got a timeless quality that makes it perform as well today as 62 years ago. In fact, I've noticed some similarities that rise to fame between Lonesome Rhodes and some famous people we all know today (I'd rather not mention who I'm talking about here by name). The point is, while I'm not particularly enjoying movies like A Face in the Crowd, I can respect it because it's well-made and timeless.