Andy Griffith and Patricia Neal star in “A Face in the Crowd.”
Director, producer, writer and actor Spike Lee, guest programming for TCM, has selected four excellent films, all of which have strong film-noir elements and social/political themes. The movies will play at various times this month, starting on Thursday, July 5.
“Ace in the Hole” (1951, Billy Wilder) Kirk Douglas stars as a sleazy reporter who will go to any length to restart his career.
“On the Waterfront” (1954, Elia Kazan) A washed-up boxer and mob member (Marlon Brando) tries to redeem himself when he falls in love with a victim of the mob (Eva Marie Saint).
“A Face in the Crowd” (1957, Elia Kazan) The unlikely rise of a brutal drifter (Andy Griffith) to a media/TV sensation is set against the background of the South in the 1950s. Also stars Patricia Neal and Walter Matthau.
“The Night of the Hunter” (1955, Charles Laughton) Another Southern saga: Robert Mitchum plays a murderous preacher, specializing in seducing and killing widows. The outstanding cast includes Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish.
Read Michael Wilmington’s tribute to Andy Griffith here.
Meanwhile, a very happy Fourth of July to everyone!
Sadly, I have not yet seen A Face In The Crowd, and I LOVE all three of the others. (Night Of The Hunter has become one of my all time favorites.) I wouldn’t have thought that I would loved Spike Lee’s pick as much as I do.
Thanks so much for this timely and interesting post! I loved ‘On the Waterfront’, and can’t wait to see the others. RIP Andy Griffith, a very beloved and gifted actor!
Spike Lee is a terrific guest programmer. I love all the movies he picked, and his comments about them. He should do this more often!
You’re welcome! I agree, Spike Lee did a great job and I hope they will have him pick more.