Griffith's canny is very uncanny

This classic movie is one that will be relevant no matter what generation views it. The revolution of mass media is carefully construed in this dramedy about "Mr. Lonesome Rhodes." Makin’ it big isn’t always going to make it better. The Sloppy, boisterous, rude Lonesome Rhodes (Andy Griffith) who was a relief in “A Face in the Crowd,” that is until he made it big almost immediately. Lonesome Rhodes was found in a jail, by the young, naive Marcia Jeffries (Patricia Neal) who wanted to hit the jackpot, and prove to her small-time Arkansas radio station that she was really something special. The idea seemed perfect poor old Lonesome Rhodes could connect with housewives and ordinary workers through song. Before long, Lonesome had his own television show, his rating had sky-rocketed, and he was controlling the outcome of local politics. Simultaneously, Marcia and Lonesome struggled with making it intimate and making it big. However, nothing good lasts for long; Lonesome’s life began to spiral down when the fame went to straight to his head.
Andy Griffith had an eerie way of pumping up the volume with his energetic laugh, during numerous scenes, especially in the scene when he was first discovered by Marcia. From that moment on, he had captured me. I came to wonder if he had ever damaged a vocal chord during the filming of this movie. His overpowering character in the film left everyone around him surrendering to his authority. Mel Miller (Walter Matthau) is one of the many faces behind Lonesome’s success. Walter Matthau’s careful, but demanding role makes the audience root for him as he struggles to reveal the true personality of Lonesome. Patricia Neal lends herself to the overworked, underpaid “mistress” who is desperate for love. She does not stop there; she is able to change character when her soft personality turns courageous and she is forced to make a very daring move.