The Dark Side of Andy Griffith

Andy Griffith is an American icon. In this video, we consider his performance in "A Face In The Crowd", where he plays a character that is completely antithetical to the role he's most known for.

[@johnww9316]

As I reviewed a few of the comments, I realized that no one has noted that both roles are a great testament to Andy's great talent as an actor. Please keep in mind that none of these roles reflect his personal ideas, thoughts, or feelings. He acted out what was written in a script. I think his performance in the film gives evidence that he was an underrated actor. The film itself has a timeless quality and since TV was a relatively new medium in 1957, we needed 60 years as an audience to appreciate its message. Another movie that will eventually fall into this category is "The Net" with Sandra Bullock.

[@austinmcconnell]

Shhh. You're gonna make folks mad with that critical thinking of yours!

[@MrSmokeydog]

First of all I am a huge Andy Griffith fan. And A Face in A Crowd was a remarkable film and definitely showed a different type of character then sheriff Andy Taylor. He also made a television movie made in the 70"s where they were racing dirt bikes in the desert and he played a sleazy role and in one scene raped this mexican girl on the beach with her boyfriend. I remember he rode his bike of a cliff and died in a scene. It was pretty shocking for back then.

[@brianboisguilbert6985]

You may not know it but John Wayne had wanted Griffith to portray Davy Crockett in Wayne's produced and directed movie THE ALAMO but the studio demanded Wayne take the part to increase the box office draw. Wayne had only considered playing the cameo role of Sam Houston which went to his good friend Richard Boone. After seeing A FACE IN THE CROWD I could well imagine Griffith in the Crockett role. His portrayal would have been as ironic as Billy Bob Thornton's in the 2004 version.

[@MrSmokeydog]

That Television Movie where Andy Griffith played a rather unsavory character was called "Pray For The Wildcats'.

[@mrkidskid]

and he did a good movie cant remember the name but played opposite of Johnny Cash. good. stuff

[@garycwelch6782]

I met Andy Griffith back in the 1970s. I had seen Face in the Crowd and told him what s magnificent actor he really was. He was really very humble about it, and a little surprised I was talking about he film as opposed to his TV show.

[@Colinop]

very interesting. you'll pleased to know that at least 186 accounts have seen based that i'm the 187th like and one of them could be you

[@ashleygilliland4331]

What was he like? Was he nice?

[@dont4143]

@@ashleygilliland4331 No he beat his wifr and was a Demacrat.

[@ashleygilliland4331]

@@dont4143 I wasn’t asking you.

[@pharr3740]

@@dont4143 better than a fascist inbred..

[@melostmo]

" I'm not that nice guy you see on TV .. I'm an actor .. a performer " - Andy

[@mermaidgirl9232]

melostmo ...very true. Go to NC and speak with his neighbors and others that live in the area.

[@cholodesanfe87]

I lived in mount airy trust me I know

[@HETFIELD]

@@cholodesanfe87 hate to hear that.

[@christinamcduffie8614]

Was he racist??

[@gregcrane4953]

@@christinamcduffie8614 everyone is. Except liberals. They're not.

[@pedrorodriguez2914]

I still watch Andy every day on WME Tampa.(i'm 75)

[@Bob-fj7lr]

this movie is so good!

[@manlymanyo2511]

Good show. I have all the seasons. Wholesome tv

[@christopherdieudonne]

I was expecting some dirt on Andy Griffith.

[@mirrortime]

Me too. It would have shattered my world.

[@firebird_spleen4190]

Christopher Dieudonne well he was a libtard and home wrecker

[@mirrortime]

FIREBIRD... Him being a Liberal person makes me so happy . And where is the proof that he was a "Home wrecker". WHO'S Opinion is that?

[@craigwheller]

He had a penchant for young Mexican girls, very young...

[@davidbushinski3307]

Other than that he became a bit of a grumpy old man - there is no dirt on Andy.

[@davidcattin7006]

"They're even more stupid than I am, so I gotta think for 'em..." Frightening!

[@seekr6964]

David Cattin "we have them so stupified i'll become their "stable genius".

[@georgcantor7172]

I heard Bernie Sanders say the same thing - he must've seen the Face in the Crowd.

[@georgcantor7172]

@richgs76 , Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Nadler, Steny Hoyer, Maxine Waters, Eric Swalwell, said, in the last week of January and first week of February 2020, that the Dems had to remove Trump ASAP, that they couldn't trust the judgement, wisdom of the U.S. voters to do the right thing in the Nov 2020 POTUS election. They had to do the thinking for them. AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar said that Illegal Aliens were better quality then U.S. citizens, and that Illegal Aliens are harder working, pay more taxes, and are more law abiding than U.S. citizens.

[@douglasgriswold2533]

That's basically what an MSNBC host said on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' comment on President Trump's efforts to "undermine the media." Co-host Mika Brzezinski commented Wednesday morning that she is upset to see President Trump has moved in on the media's turf when it comes to the area of mind control. "He is trying to undermine the media and trying to make up his own facts," she said about Trump. "And it could be that while unemployment and the economy worsens, he could have undermined the messaging so much that he can actually control exactly what people think." "And that, that is our job," she noted, referring to the media. >mic drop< LOL

[@rb032682]

@richgs76 - It appears your head is too far up QAnus.

[@rhondawithers5794]

I love it when actors can play both good guys and bad guys effortlessly. Andy Griffith did The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock but also did Face in the Crowd and Murder in Coweta County. he truly was great.

[@ArsPraestigium]

Andy did, in fact, have a "dark side." That was characterized by his relationship with Mount Airy, his home town. The town capitalized on being Griffith's birthplace, of course, but that might be expected. Griffith made a point of saying that the fictional Mayberry was, in fact, not related to his Mount Airy home. The point was driven home when the town opened an Andy Griffith museum, which was dedicated on one of the September "Mayberry Days" celebrations held there annually. Griffith was, naturally, invited to attend, but refused to do so unless he was paid many thousands of dollars (the specific amount is known only to the town representatives who, naturally, were embarrassed by the situation, and didn't want to further advertise the fact). The town refused to pay the money (they didn't have it), and good old Andy was a no show. Conversely, Betty Lynn, who played Barney Fife's gal pal, Thelma Lou, on the Andy Griffith Show, now makes Mount Airy her home. Andy is fondly remembered for putting Mount Airy on the map, not so much, though, by natives who regarded the above episode as an insult.

[@captainmanic1959]

I am possibly inclined to think that Andy demanded an excessive amount to appear as a veiled way of saying that he didn’t appreciate or approve of their attempts to cash in on the Mayberry mystique.

[@nevilleslightlylargerbotto1726]

@@captainmanic1959 How is that wrong of them? A small town making the most of its best known former citizens is hardly beyond the pale or wrong in any sense on their part. I don’t particularly care for my hometown either, and if in another universe I were to become as famous as Andy griffith, I can understand the sentiment to not want to help the folks that didn’t have time for me before I got famous. But I would be upfront about my intentions and why I’m doing them, not this charade about it actually being about “selling out”. That’s baloney.

[@jtoland2333]

I'd like to play Devil's Advocate for a moment, and as I do, I admit I don't know him, or anyone who knew him, and I don't know anyone from Mount Airy. And I really don't know any details about what happened. ("Ahem...ahem!") First, its very possible that he had other contractual obligations that he had to fulfill. And if you have ever had such an obligation, getting out of it without meeting the standards in an escape clause, is an expensive process. It could be that, though it is a lot of money for the time, such an amount might have been compensation. This is especially true if lawyers were to get involved. Second, he has no obligation to honor his hometown. If you come from a small town, and were loved or at least tolerated as a child there, sure, you have all kinds of love and warm feelings. But if your experience was not great, if you were judged or mistreated, then you become famous and your hometown suddenly loves you, well, no. You don't feel the need to play along. Third, I have lived all over the U.S. I have lived in places where I fit right in, and I have lived in places where, because of my family, I have a reputation I don't deserve. If you were to judge my charactor soley on my experience with one place, good or bad, its going to be wrong. In closing, we all have a dark side. Lets not act like he was less of a flawed human being than the rest of us.

[@DW-nb2zc]

He felt overshadowed by Knotts as he was overlooked for Emmys

[@melissabeljeter5599]

He is horribly fantastic. Griffiths acting chilled me to the bone. He was versatile actor. RIP Andy

[@monilaninetynine3811]

melissa beljeter I remember seeing him in a made for TV movie where he also played a drunk. It was in the 80s and he was haunting in that, too.

[@elishabraun196]

@@monilaninetynine3811 it was called A Face In The Crowd

[@BethyKable]

He was so type-cast as Andy Griffith in Mayberry he had a very hard time breaking out of it and being taken seriously as an actor.

[@sjcohen4444]

It's called acting and s good actor should be versatile. It's the public that pigeonhole actors according to the image they want the actor to have. Don't forget, Fred MacMurray had that My Three Son's/Disney image but played bastards in films like Double Indemnity and The Apartment.

[@rosssmith2605]

SJ Cohen Uh,,,not to those of us who saw the movies first.

[@scottstewart9584]

One time he rubbed one out on Aunt Bea's dress while she was in the bathroom working out a massive deuce.

[@gregganderson5458]

MacMurray was a real bastard in his role in The Caine Mutiny. MacMurray got his takedown from actor Jose Ferrer in a powerful scene at the end of the film.

[@wln1595]

"A Face in the Crowd" is one of my all time favorites. Great acting all the way around...

[@JaymeCove]

I really like the way that you engage the audience, both in this and the Perplex City video. It's something I think we're losing more and more of. Very nice vid, friend.

[@debrawoodard1]

I'll watch "A Face In The Crowd" EVERY single time it's on TCM. What a gritty, talented portayal of an egomaniac!

[@Cartoonicus]

What modern movie will have greater significance in 60 years than it does now? "Sharknado"

[@Wixhael]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

[@joefinkey5675]

Taylor Gibson lynda lynda Carter

[@MrJking065]

YES THIS! REEEEEEEEEEE!

[@ianh1504]

Pirahna 3DD

[@take2productions570]

Jurassic shark

[@maxtew6521]

What modern movie will have greater significance in 60 years than it does now? 'The Room'

[@maxtew6521]

@Sub:Zero You courageous soul. I knew someone else had vision.

[@zantanimus3721]

The golden age of video essay content is among us.

[@CrazyKonaKai]

Zantanimus I totally agree! For some reason in the last couple months a dozen or two really quality video essay producers just came out of the woodwork. It's a sight to see.

[@GomerBarnFloyd]

Who are you thinking of?

[@zantanimus3721]

Super Bunnyhop, Nerdwriter, Elder Geek, Joseph Anderson, austinmcconnell, Mark Brown, Ahoy, Furst (from Arcadea), Noah Caldwell-Gervais, CPG Grey, kaptainkristian. To name a few.

[@zantanimus3721]

Absolutely. Thus the "golden age" so to speak.

[@lennysmom]

Do any of these people post as Digging Deeper? "Digging Deeper" does exactly that.. thoughtful analysis.

[@RonN448]

Austin, I'm 68 years old, and I had never seen the movie "A Face In The Crowd." Of course, I watched The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D. all the time. So, thank you for posting this fascinating way of seeing Andy Griffith in a much different light. It shows just how talented he was.

[@georgcantor7172]

I heard that Griffith was a real SOB in real life; and that he was just playing himself in the AFITC. On the set of TAGS, he was screwing around w/ Helen Crump.

[@troubadourtr56]

IMO, Face in the Crowd is one of the best films of the 20th Century...and Griffith's performance may be one of the five best film performance of that century.

[@jefffoster3557]

I'll have to watch it. I always though Christian Bale's performance in Empire Of The Sun was one of the best in 20th century film.

[@pookycat1626]

That film shows what a great actor he was. Superb! He should have done a lot more films.

[@randywhite3947]

I agree

[@ventura6154]

I love "The Andy Griffith Show"

[@aaronjohnson3463]

One of the most underrated actors of all time

[@rasmus5926]

"Was a good video until it devolved into Trump Bashing." *spends literally less then 15 seconds on the politics*

[@Ten_Thousand_Locusts]

Music Video Ear Rape Yeah and that wasn't even bashing.

[@beardedbjorn5520]

Really?! I’m a supporter of Trump and I thought it was an interesting look at someone else’s comparison. I saw it go to Trump and I was think, “great, here we go”, but it was great. Anyone complaining about that has some issues.

[@Lucas-ix6rj]

The Jrr People disagreeing with your political alignments is not justification for mislabeling them as retarded. Trump is an asshole who got rich because his dad was rich and stayed rich because he fucked over a bunch of small businesses. He's literally THE swamp that he claimed he would drain. However, there are some reasonable justifications for supporting him to an extent. I mean, Sanders was my choice for sure, but barring him, I almost would rather have Trump than Hillary. At least Trump, like Sanders, is a disruption to the norm.

[@jediqueer6162]

Yeah, no. Supporting Trump is supporting fascism, there is no fucking moderate reason. You're either too apathetic to notice or stand to gain from it. You don't have to like Hillary, but Trump is a man who supports white nationalism and calls Nazis "very fine people" and I don't get how that's not a deal-breaker for everyone.

[@man-iq8tp]

If he supported white nationalism then why would he spend money trying to help black people?

[@claytongoodman9323]

A beautiful essay. As a guy working in story development, you brought a lot forward for me to think about.

[@louisschulte7598]

Clayton Goodman a

[@fancyfreeproductions9709]

I'm from his home town and I didn't know about this performance, so thank you

[@smhmay1973]

Andy played a really evil character in the movie, A Murder in Coweta County. It was based on a true story about a crime boss somewhere in the South . Johnny Cash played the sheriff. It's a very good movie if you ever get the chance to see it.

[@lelandfranklinjr]

smhmay1973 you're right. Saw it as a kid...great movie

[@jimian2184]

there's more to Andy Griffith or Andy Taylor than meets the eye

[@jimian2184]

there's more to Andy Griffith or Andy Taylor than meets the eye .

[@johnbunkley7098]

youtube red

[@nealturner680]

The man killed was my uncle. He was burned and his body thrown down a well. I never saw the movie.

[@dennisduran8500]

another great movie with Andy is " No Time for Sargeants " an excellent comedy.

[@TheSkete]

dennis duran-When he made those toilet lids salute I almost fell out of the chair laughing...

[@ismaelpenalver4722]

dennis duran yeah it's a big difference from this one, good actor and guitar player.

[@keithpopko7068]

That was a classic scene. I also loved the scene where they took him out drinking and they put lighter fluid in his booze, and when he drank it he said with a big grin on his face, "Tastes familiar."

[@rockvilleraven]

Permanent Latrine Orderly.

[@fiftystate1388]

...and then the salute (hats off to E.Duane Mitchell above)

[@StephenJohnsonNagare]

The thing to keep in mind is Griffith was originally a popular comedian, and comedians make for some of the best bad-guys. When you watch any of his stuff keep that in mind--that's how his generation was seeing his work.

[@brandonk8948]

Like Robin Willliams as the photo developer

[@lawlietlawliet8168]

Watched this film last night. 20 minutes in and I forgot I was watching Andy Griffith act. He became the character. Like a North Carolinian Gary Oldman

[@robrad]

Oh, this was just EXCEPTIONAL! You did a wonderful job of presenting a dichotomy of characters, both past and present. Good going!! And thanks.

[@NoJusticeNoPeace]

Hey, is there any chance you could help people understand how revolutionary and groundbreaking _Night of the Hunter_ was? It's my favourite film of all time, yet when I convince people to watch it I'm told that it's derivative and cliche by people who aren't aware that it was _Night of the Hunter_ which _invented_ the tropes used by so many other directors. In many ways it can be said to have invented modern cinema; at the time, critics and audiences had no idea what to make of it, while modern audiences watching it don't realize just how impressive it is because the stylizations have been normalized for them through everything which came after.

[@austinmcconnell]

I'll look into it.

[@NoJusticeNoPeace]

Excellent, I look forward to it. You clearly have an admirable grasp of cinema.

[@Matthew-4114]

NoJusticeNoPeace z

[@undetestable1]

Thats my favorite movie too. But I gave up trying to convince other people to watch it years ago. Sometimes my movie buff friends will ask to borrow it when they find out its my favorite but they always give it back like "well ok thats a movie that exists and I've now seen". Its frustrating.

[@leary4]

I love the period I love Bob Mitchum I can't believe I haven't seen it. Very good catch.

[@jacobdominguez7808]

I watched this movie again last night. I haven't seen it in many years, & it is still as relevant as ever. It is an outstanding film that should be seen more.

[@DwightMS1]

I remember my parents taking me to see this film when I was 11. It's a masterpiece.

[@yippie6862]

He is an actor and plays a dark character. It's not reality and has nothing to do with Andy Griffith's real life. Your title is misleading.

[@billanthony7896]

Yippie- Yeah. Andy Griffith's Darkest Role would have been a more appropriate title.

[@troycarrington6168]

maybe his best role that is dark but people forget"Savages" where he played a hunter stalking Sam Bottoms.

[@arttrombley7385]

Some people will do anything for views.

[@lancebaker1374]

Then you are wasting our time by not clicking the ... icon to report it. Life is littered with complainers, not enough people have the courage to take action.

[@14598175]

Another liberal hack who can't tell the difference between an actor and a real person? Noooo, say it ain't so!

[@doraran5158]

Have we all forgotten, Andy Griffith is an actor, interpreting the ideas imagined by a writer. Of course he has a range, that's the sign of a talented actor. Too many people believe the character on screen is who the actor really is. Maybe I'm bursting too many people's bubbles.

[@MrCarp2]

If someone can't distinguish between the two, then they've got a problem.

[@timouellette9185]

Do your homework, he never had MPD

[@tonyawood7973]

+Savage Buttsniffer. Barney clear his throat a lot too I noticed that also

[@Mozart1220]

I remember Robin Williams talking about his role in the "Bird cage". If an actor plays a mass murderer, he has "range". If an actor plays a Homosexual, he's gay.

[@hategreed1]

Dor, we all know, YOU couldn't do what Andy Griffith did. Or you would be doing it. Dummy.

[@BlueGuy98]

I find the movie “The Founder” to be extremely overlooked. I think it’ll find a larger audience in the future and people will praise Michael Keaton’s performance

[@the_suburbanite2129]

I completely agree. The ending of that film gives me chills. You can really see the regret in Crocks face when he falsely labes his restaurant "McDonalds #1". Its like him saying that really set in the reality of what how hard he fucked the McDonald brothers.

[@bigbaltimore]

I agree. Keaton was phenomenal in that.

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

I've never forgiven the academy of motion pictures for not including Andy Griffith in the "Saying Goodbye" moment during the 2013 Oscars. They really dropped the ball on that one. R.I.P. Andy. 😔

[@jtoland2333]

He and Val Kilmer are in good company

[@DW-nb2zc]

That's a GD tragedy

[@montanaman3336]

Dang good analysis. Thanks! I've thought for years that AG approached his character in Face with a romantic flavor. It was almost a fear he had that he might become that man who felt inadequate as a man where he might swallow the mass approval from others as his fame grows that would ultimately destroy him. And AG seemed to be cognizant of that role he played for the rest of his life.

[@beej2241]

I get so exited whenever I see your videos in my subscription box.

[@austinmcconnell]

Hey, thanks!

[@billanthony7896]

austinmcconnell- Still, a more appropriate title would have been: "Andy Griffith's Darkest Role." Now you should do a part two video covering his performance in "Pray For The Wildcats," supposedly one of Griffith's personal favorites!

[@truthsabomb]

He actually was bothered by the dark nature of the character. Enough so, he swore he would never play a part that dark again. And he never did.

[@edsullivan12]

This entire piece was masterfully done. The context of actor to characters was right on point. This mini doc inspired me to see this movie (also on youtube). I am in awe of how well done and balanced this "video essay" was. It was a complete work of art. Thank you for making and sharing this very important piece.

[@orvillehicksstoryteller4159]

I did not know about that movie i will look it up thanks

[@christophermccomas6093]

Excellent video. I don't understand the hate you're receiving...Your analysis is spot-on and fair. Keep up the good work.

[@aryan1313ful]

Because mean people do not know how to deal with their incompetence and therefore they let everyone know how miserable they are by making others feel crappier than they do..

[@honeynbees8202]

Thugdog Nasty d

[@honeynbees8202]

Thugdog Nasty s

[@cashnelson2306]

right wingers aren't good at handling when they feel criticized

[@sleepylagoon1310]

Yes! The "meanies" try to disguise themselves, but their off-hand remarks give them away for what they truly are. How sad for them, as well as their targets.

[@mistermagoo9187]

What happened to Ernest T Bass!? " It's me ,it's me, it's Ernest T."

[@jessicahanley5080]

Lol I loved that character!! Surprise surprise, I can see it in your eyes!!

[@Dylantomasi]

Andy Griffith is a great actor. when I was younger me and my mother used to watch Matlock. it's one of the few shows I remember watch with her. I'll cherish those memories forever

[@caw5951]

I LOVE his comic thing, "What it was is Football." hilarious

[@rottyangel770]

Oh I forgot about that, lol

[@yungbisher]

I'm calling it right now, the emoji movies gonna be so important in 60 years

[@austinmcconnell]

ya Boi COTD.

[@anthonyschurz7613]

austinmcconnell * your video analysis is a great one... have seen face in the crowd many years ago. in my opinion, one of today's movies that depicts life most accurately would be " Sicario " giving Focus to the corruption of politics on an international scale. with the harsh choices that have to be made in order to live or die when stepping in to the world game of money and power. that gets filtered through the news media and dumped on your living room floor from the television set, often misleading if not just false or fabricated. leaving many questions unanswered. that politicians will often follow up with the answer of " I can neither confirm nor deny, will get back with you when we have any information..." this is what is happening in today's modern world. and it will escalate.... to what point? I don't know. the only thing that I can hope for is that the bad guy loses and the good guy wins.... so that 60 years from now people look back on these days at the story and see it did have a happy ending. ^

[@erinoriordan9808]

I've already read one emoji Shakespeare retelling (A Midsummer Night #NoFilter) that was brilliant. Don't knock it.

[@dougvanderhoop8012]

This is a truly enlightening video! Thank you. Thank you very much for posting it!

[@piratesfan1995able]

Just saw this movie the other night for the first time and was completely blown away by it. Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal were terrific, and I may be one of the few who see this movie with no history of Andy Griffith and his TV shows. I obvisouly know they exist and what they're about but i've never watched a single episode. This is really the first time I've ever seen him on screen if you could believe it or not. With that his performance is truly incredible and a shame it wasn't at least nominated for some awards that year. And it's really a shame he never did any other performance similar to this. Being on TV will make your career and also kill it.

[@mellyc541]

I love this movie and I love that Andy is playing against the typecast in which we all know him.

[@passwordbosco407]

I read an interview with Andy Griffith years ago where he said that " Andy Taylor was a much better man than I was ". It was all a role, all acting for fame and fortune. The article also mentioned the time a member of the production staff walked in on Griffith with Aneta Corsaut ( Helen Crump ) in bed in a "compromising position " when Griffith was married to someone else. I don't want to piss on someone's grave but let's get real here people.

[@DasGoldenBoy]

"Murder in Coweta County" was an eye opener for me. Andy Griffith played a bonafide SOB in that movie opposite Johnny Cash.

[@sunfireclassics]

Thank you for bringing this movie to my attention. I had no idea it existed. I appreciate your thoughts regarding it. However, for myself, this film just proves what an outstanding actor Andy Griffith was. I have no conflict or personal questions about him, seeing him in this role versus in his later role of "Sheriff Andy Taylor" on The Andy Griffith Show. This is what good acting is all about: to be this convincing in each role. This looks to be a deep and stirring film. Thank you, again, for sharing excerpts from it. God rest the soul of Andy Griffith.

[@kitano0]

"A Face In The Crowd" knocked me out when I first saw it. An incendiary performance by Griffith...should have be nominated for and Oscar. The movie is also incredibly prophetic in its portrayal of media and corporate influence in politics and American life.

[@bennystropicalswimmigwolf8691]

How can anyone give a thumbs down to this? (RIP)✌💙 Andy Griffith

[@willkirwan]

So, having seen very little of Griffith's TV work I knew could judge this on its own. I only got around to watching it a couple of months ago and I literally regarded watching it much sooner. How Lonesome pulled people to himself, his hubris, and complete breakdown is the most honest portrait of mass media fame I have every seen. And that last scene in the movie is perfection! Thanks for introducing me to this, Austin.

[@ashleygilliland4331]

My grandfather watched Andy Griffith Show faithfully. Reruns or new episodes, he was a huge fan. My mom grew up watching him, I grew up watching him. I’m 35 & I prefer to watch him over today’s shows. He always has a laugh, but always a lesson, too.

[@rickenbacker12]

Awesome film, a must see. That films proves that Andy Griffith can act, people see him as the bumpin sheriff but A Face In The Crowd shows him in a new light. You literally fear for his sanity after the first hour. A piece of trivia: The Martin acoustic that Andy Griffith plays on his show is the same guitar that Griffith's "Lonesome Rhodes" character plays in the film. Warner Brothers bought a actual Martin D-28 to use as a prop, at the end of the filming, they were ready to destroy it. Griffin rescued the instrument, took it to John D'Angelico's shop to have the LR embellishments removed along with a full refinish. Martin actually issued a Andy Griffith model, a pickguard less D-28 which he plays on his show which is also known as the "Lonesome Rhodes" guitar.

[@billanthony7896]

rickenbacker12- Interesting trivia. But I don't agree at all with your assessment of his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor. The sheriff on the long running show was NOT a bumpkin. Not by any stretch of the imagination!

[@hydrolito]

How do you explain who he picked for Deputy if he wasn't a bumpkin?

[@mpg296]

It's bumpkin as in country bumpkin, not bumpin

[@nadyarossi5102]

His acting in A Face In The Crowd was amazing, but my favorite Griffith role is Murder In Texas. Totally underrated actor. TAGS will live forever.

[@rdavid6981]

Nadya Rossi I think you mean murder in Coweta County based on a true story starring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffin were Griffin is electrocuted for murder

[@rayjr62]

He was even more sinister in Pray For The Wildcats.

[@greglaprade7507]

Love Andy Griffith. Saw Pray for the Wildcats today and will definitely look into this Murder in Coweta County movie.👍

[@PlayGlow]

I’ve been watching your videos, oldest to newest, and what are the odds you’ve made a video about this! I live in Piggott, AR - which is where they shot portions of this movie. I’ve spent 21 years hearing all about the making of this movie and Andy’s time in town.

[@waynedent5559]

I must say, I never had seen A Face in the Crowd until your video. So, my only view of Andy Griffith is his own show and Matlock. However, his performance is so good in A Face in the Crowd, in the scenes you showed, I believe it. Great insights you have on this.

[@FearTheDeep]

I'm surprised by some of these comments, he was meaning the Dark Side of Andy Griffiths acting abilities but this title frame is more appealing than that yes? I realized what he meant quite quickly and I'm surprised to see so many people butt hurt over it. Great video!

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

I can understand though. If you're not familiar with Austin's videos, based on the title, you would expect something entirely different. Those expectations are not met when you click the link. For someone unfamiliar with Austin's style, the title feels like clickbait. In this case, I don't mind, since I wasn't expecting that sort of video. But it's a mistake many KZbinrs make, assuming that people understand that you mean B when your title spells A, even if it's the first time they got one of your videos in their recommended feed.

[@kellyalves756]

Certainly makes me want to track down this movie. And hey, it’s not a cakewalk to get into the National Registry.

[@kellyalves756]

I am gonna give one quibble, though-- before Griffith ever went near a movie camera, he had crafted a stand- up persona as Deacon Andy Griffith, and much of Amdy Taylor- especially in the first season- is based on the Deacon. So, one could argue that Andy Taylor preexisted Rhodes.

[@standlegweak9854]

Clickbait title, plain and simple. And I fell for it. No one to blame but myself.

[@Scott-yf1zn]

BIGTOAST75 Njj

[@doorguru168888]

Geez.. for all you that got butt hurt.. the title is not click bait. The poster obviously used the term "dark side" to indicate the spectrum of Andy's acting.. from the human warmth and genuine kindness of "Sheriff Andy Taylor" of Mayberry, N.C. , to the darker Larry Rhodes character he played in "A face in the Crowd".

[@nolaz1]

Writing headlines for social media posts is a talent in its own right.

[@GeauxWyatt]

I’d love to see A Face In The Crowd remade as a play (or maybe TV movie if done right) not only would the parallels resonate today with an audience unaware of the original, but if there’s an actor with Griffith’s level of versatility and personal likability they could bring that same shock value fans of Andy have watching the original.

[@junglekiity]

I teach high school English, and one of my standard lessons is on the context of literary works, and how no text exists in a vacuum. This video is such a wonderful example of that idea! Definitely adding it to my lesson on context.

[@shirleyschork1504]

Andy was a fantastic actor! That's why he was able to go from A Face In A Croud to The Andy Griffith Show. This title was misleading, making it to sound the the man's character itself was in question! Shame on you!

[@robertpeoples7643]

Shirley Schork my

[@terrytyler3139]

whats left out is he was educated

[@markthomas9769]

Seen this film a couple of times and always assumed it was closer to the "real" Andy Griffith. As for it's place in history; Will Rogers, Tennessee Ernie Ford and to some extent, Mark Twain all represent the persistence of "popularism" (if at various places on the political spectrum). This film represented the dark side of "the Everyman"; films like MEET JOHN DOE depicts the outside manipulation of the same; and several others depict the positive side (mostly westerns). Everything, including the mythic "Everyman" can be either good or bad. The way that society perceives it says more about the zeitgeist than the story itself. In 1957, America was in full "red scare" mode and so the populism of Communism was seen as a real potential evil. The film NETWORK predicted the corruption of the News media into a circus of clowns. Today we see that reality being played out. And again, media is neither intrinsically good or bad, but potentially both.

[@AbeTheSigma007]

He would have made an excellent “Oswald, Harvey Lee character…

[@PastorMonicaRHooks]

Thanks Austin. I really appreciate your thorough insight, parallelism and naturally engaging journalistic style. I love Andy Griffith's works and personally and you did a very respectful and interesting job. God bless you and all your gifts.

[@joshuahull9982]

A buddy of mine actually knew Andy Griffith and said he really was a great guy and it was a pleasure having known such a great person.

[@bluevictory1010]

He plays a bad dude in a 1970's made for tv movie called Pray For The Wildcats. He really does a great job in that movie playing a villian!

[@bobrob8588]

E B. Great tv movie 👍

[@bobrob8588]

Gary Diggins Hey no prob 👌

[@ttyytyyyyy1160]

The Emoji Movie will hold greater meaning in the future.

[@videotesting3098]

At the time Andy Griffith filmed "A Face in The Crowd" he had already established himself on television & Broadway in "No Time For Sergeants" and as a comedian as "Deacon Andy Griffith" with his stand-up routines like "Romeo & Juliet " and "What it Was Was Football" (released on comedy records--you can find them here on YT) . So audiences of the time that were aware of him were probably taken aback by this dramatic performance--it was in stark contrast to what he'd been known for up to that point.

[@stephennootens916]

I've seen a couple of episodes of Andy Griffin show and Matlock, and when I saw some of this movie on TMC I was amazed. I think it's not just because he always played the good guy on TV, but also the stretch of acting. On TV he never came off as someone with great acting chops, but in the face in the crowd you see he does. You ask yourself why the heck did you not do more movies, he was amazing.

[@lonerider3536]

Met Andy once by chance, one of the finest men I ever met! Honesty on foot, reminded me of my father. Men to aspire for me.

[@StephenJohnsonNagare]

I'd have loved to have met him. Growing up, there was no one on TV who more reminded me of my father.

[@h-6191]

fuck yes, new video

[@greg6873]

hey, i am british, so, andy griffiths was not known to me at all, but, because of your video, i have discovered him, and, what an actor - he blew my mind - great look, charisma and voice..i will research him, and, perhaps become his greatest fan lol...thankyou for this....btw, your vocal delivery was vibrant and very amusing - i liked you a lot too, bud :)

[@garyclouse7234]

You sir are one of the most brilliant and relevant educators of our time! Thank you!

[@margaretrich5406]

I saw parts of this movie a while back. I stopped watching it, because I just couldn't stand seeing Andy Griffith play such a horrible character, but it is true. People put far too much stock into celebrities' opinions and think too easily that, simply because celebrities are famous, they must know everything. I get very tired of celebrities thinking that they should speak up in politics. I really don't even think that celebrities should go into the political field after they've already become famous, because then, people too often support them simply because they like the characters they play, instead of what they really stand for.

[@cedricpowell9047]

I watched the movie. My take on it is the rise and fall due to fame and fortune. Andy Griffith played a murderer in the 1983 film "Murder in Coweta County". Not to knock your interpretation and beliefs, BUT not all celebrities let the notoriety go to their head. I'm sure you're referring to Arnold Schwarzenegger and in levels Trump, but maybe that's a misinterpretation. In any event, I can name 3 politicians/celebrities that acted in the best interest of the people.

[@jasonchandler2463]

When an actor plays the wholesome loveable character like Griffith did Andy Taylor for so long we get used to that character then see him play a bad guy role it's hard to phathom that he's not Andy Taylor,that's all it's a tribute to his acting ability and talent.

[@amadexmilby7309]

@@cedricpowell9047 I'm not completely sure but I think Arnold was a real estate magnate in Austria.

[@rveeing802]

but didn't you find his role in A FACE IN THE CROWD an amazing acting job and such an interesting story?

[@randywhite3947]

1. Stop being a baby and finish watching the movie lonesome Rhodes is indeed a horrible person but he’s not that horrible. 2. It’s a free country and Celebrities can talk about politics if they want to.

[@jkoff76]

A Face In The Crowd was a testament to Andy Griffith's great talent. You can't watch it and not think he was truly an amazing overall performer. There was a reason Griffith became one of our great TV icons.

[@AlexReynard]

I was lucky enough to see this movie without ever having watched an episode of Mayberry. I knew _of_ Sherriff Andy, but it was just sort of an awareness that the character existed. So watching A Face In The Crowd, I was paying attention to the writing and performance. And sweet Jesus it's good. His change is so slow, he becomes irredeemable before you know it, with no clear point when it happened. A genuine tragedy.

[@ccjohncc1]

My sister who works still today in Dare County N.C. as a home health care R.N., was assigned to and took care of Andy during his last days. She was to start working at the griffith home full time in 2 weeks. The Friday before the Monday she was to put in her 2 week notice to leave her job with Sentra, Andy died. His timing prevented her from losing her current job. True Story! She had nothing but good things to say about him. He liked her so much he offered her a full time job at the Griffith home. Andy was also an animal lover and owned 5 Golden Retrievers.

[@craftychild2242]

Cool, song for Guy in the background...Elton fan?

[@colinkueny]

In 1983 he was in a movie called "Murder in Coweta County" he wasn't a nice guy in that one either.

[@billanthony7896]

colin kueny- His role in "Onion Head" was a layered performance as well.

[@sophiemckenzie7527]

I still watch it love all the cast on it ..love his singing on the porch

[@katy9569]

I love the resolution changing animation in the beginning. It's really artsy.

[@muitarbis31-43]

When I saw the title, I thought you meant the author Andy Griffiths.

[@LuisaD93]

Love me some Andy Griffith 💕

[@DasIllu]

Damn.... What's the name of the song at the end? The piano piece. It triggered an almost quarter of an century old earworm in my head.

[@suziw3095]

"A Face in the crowd " was a film from 1957 that was ahead of its time for sure! Before Andy Griffith show- that was mostly filmed at the end of the 1950s through the sixties - I will have to look it up. He was an underwater actor, and much beloved in that role he is most famous for, which of course, has a great deal of idealized sentiment. I would love Mr. Ron Howard's ( "Opie") take on the meaning he finds in the movie "A Face in the Crowd" . . . and his point of view on growing up being involved in the Andy Griffith Show. He is such an accomplished director - I am sure he learned a lot! I think the actor Andy Griffith found not in developing talent which was s a recurring theme in several episodes. Thought provoking! Great questions at the end too!

[@xanderluv]

Dark side??? HE IS/WAS AN ACTOR! That was his job...and was very good at it too...Check out Murder in Coweta County.

[@4817Indian]

Savages seemed to suit him.He made a good villain .Gramps,too.

[@gailjarvis2592]

Oh year. Great movie. I own it. Of all people, Johnny Cash is fantastic in it. It's a real twelve noon situation with Cash as the Sheriff and Griffith as the bad man who thinks his power will win him false justice. Great film.

[@chucknastyness]

Amazing analysis

[@TheTeacher1020]

Amazing performance. Mr. Griffiths’ Lonesome Rhodes’ persona was so different from his Sheriff Taylor role that it is hard to credit that both came from the same actor. I wish I had viewed A Face in the Crowd before watching the Mayberry sitcom; for years I assumed Griffiths’ was little more than a cornball B actor. Similar situation: Fred McMurray turned in a stellar performance in the film noir Double Indemnity, but he is probably most remembered as the middle-aged father figure in My Three Sons.

[@timklein3962]

Great stuff here; good commentary ; great presentation on the timeline too !!

[@garyzielinski9682]

Didn't know it existed. Thanks

[@bencarlson4300]

Masterpiece. Just got the Criterion, it is so perfect. Watch this movie.

Wonderful short bio on Andy! I loved this movie and No Time for Sergeants (1958) and of course both tv series were mandatory watching at home! I have so much respect for him and agree with you, it's all about he context in which you see and discover.

[@tricityladytn]

Finally! Somebody who loves A Face in the Crowd as much as I do! But it's not just Andy Griffith's performance that makes it great. Patricia Neal is a tour de force, and Walter Matthau's subdued supporting role gives the film another layer. This movie deserves to be in the Pantheon of the world's very best films.

[@HappySunshineDay]

Thank you for this wonderful video, Austin McConnell! Certainly, Griffith was underrated as an actor. I absolutely love that he could play the full spectrum and play it all so well. Here's a tense scene of his in Pray for the Wildcats (1974) kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGaWoa15gLODbtUm36s. (I realize that “A Face in the Crowd” was before “The Andy Griffith Show.”) Many actors get typecast after a great success in any sort of role - especially on TV. I wonder whether Griffith ever commented as to having had any feelings like that. Actors cannot help but bring a measure of their real selves to a given role, thereby making the work their own. A role at the opposite end of the usual spectrum must seem a fresh challenge to any actor. And yet, how might such affect the public opinion of said actor? There are some fans out there who cannot (or choose not to) tell the difference between an actor and a role. (For example, soap opera actors greeted by fans on the streets with an outcry of, "How COULD you?!") I don't think 60 years was needed make us realize how one power-drunk person could manipulate the masses. There are many examples of master manipulators in history. "If we don't know our history, we are doomed to repeat it." And yet there is the "drunk" factor in "power-drunk." I do think that "A Face in the Crowd" does an excellent job of bringing this theme to light. From Wikipedia: Upon its original release, A Face in the Crowd earned somewhat mixed reviews, one of them from Bosley Crowther of The New York Times. Though he applauded Griffith's performance ("Mr. Griffith plays him with thunderous vigor ..."[11]), at the same time, he felt that the character overpowered the rest of the cast and the story. "As a consequence, the dominance of the hero and his monstrous momentum ... eventually become a bit monotonous when they are not truly opposed."[11] Crowther found Rhodes "highly entertaining and well worth pondering when he is on the rise", but considered the ending "inane.” I think that Crowther missed the entire point even as he wrote it out so well! Yes, a monster was made. And YES, the monster dominated a society ad nauseum. However, the monster WAS opposed in the end. Of course, the character would crumple in his fall back into obscurity while the insulted society would dust itself off to recover its dignity. Austin, you also asked "What stories are we telling today that you think will hold greater meaning 60 years from now?” My answer to this one is “There’s nothing new under the sun.” However, it is always the perception of the audience/group/ generation in its own time that tacks greater meaning onto any work of art. To your question, “What modern performances will seem greater in retrospect?” I think this will always be those which offer or lead us to introspection. Thanks again, Austin, for such a wonderful video essay. I didn’t mean to write a book here. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed spending this time with a cup of coffee, revisiting a favorite movie and performance.

[@Zzsmuf]

I remember when he played a cruel judge .

[@robertsanden1347]

I am only in my early forties. I grew up with The Andy Griffith show in syndication and still watch it today regularly (thank you Netflix). One day I was flipping through and TCM was going to show A Face in the Crowd. I thought, well this is Andy Griffith, I got to see at least some of it. I truly only expected to watch, say, 10 minutes just to get a taste of any other work he has done. I watched the entire movie and would watch it again in a heartbeat. It is that good. Very nice video and I agree with everything you stated.

[@youngeezer]

I never heard of this movie. I looked it up on rotten tomatoes and the tomato meter says 92...Excellent analysis and you've made some very good points.