I’ve got two things in the current issue of Film Comment (print only).
First is a review of Criterion’s upcoming release of Elia Kazan’s 1957 film A Face in the Crowd – a frightening and accurate film, not just a mirror of “what could be if we’re not careful” but “what has happened, and my God, how quickly.”
An unremittingly dark film about the powers of populism, and what that would look like when unleashed on American soil by a storytelling “just plain folks” hayseed, who seethes with resentment about the Harvard graduates on the East Coast, and anyone anywhere who has … learning, critical thinking, expertise, tolerance. Similar to the “folksy” boob in Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here. With an astonishing lead performance from Andy Griffith who – at that point – had only done standup. Incredible film. The Criterion release comes out mid-April. If you haven’t seen this one, make sure you do. The dark underbelly of American politics now – sickeningly – gone mainstream.
I also reviewed the new book The Hollywood Jim Crow: The Racial Politics of the Movie Industry, by Maryann Erigha, an excellent study of the demographics of African-American films in Hollywood, and how the myth of black films being “unbankable” persists in the gate-keepers’ decision-making process, even when evidence to the contrary stares at them in the face.
Erigha may not reveal anything we don’t already know – but she lays out her case in detail, looking at the industries of film-making, distribution, foreign markets, marketing, and how all of these aspects then dovetail into the crucial point: who gets funding, who gets to work with big budgets, what films are considered worthy of big budgets, and etc. The conversation goes much deeper than who wins Oscars. Erigha has done an amazing job of pulling all of these strands together, and then suggesting next steps. I highly recommend the book!
Both pieces in the latest Film Comment, on shelves now.
My great-grandmother took me to see Face in the Crowd when I was ten. (She had no idea what the movie was about.) Andy Griffith scared me to death–that scene when he’s yelling on the fire escape (right?). And about the same time I saw Citizen Kane on TV and Orson Wells scared me to death yelling at Ray Collins from the top of the stairs. Apparently furious men yelling from a great height was a real trigger for me. Anyway, great movie. Andy Griffith is so damn interesting. Ever see Hearts of the West?
Andy Griffith is so scary! And yes – there’s so much yelling! In that final scene, he’s up on a balcony screaming down at her, and he is a maniac. I have no idea how he didn’t lose his voice.
Furious men yelling from great heights is definitely frightening!
I haven’t seen Hearts of the West!