50 Years Early -- 'Face in the Crowd' Nails Politics

We watched "Face in the Crowd" last weekend, and there is an absolutely stunning line spoken 50 years ago, transcribed here by the Village Voice.

"Instead of long-winded public debates, the people want capsule slogans: 'Time for a change!' 'The mess in Washington!' 'More bang for a buck!' Punch lines and glamour!"

Or, as the Voice noted, "government by sound bite and photo op."

I was amazed to see how prescient this black and white film was, and in fact stopped the DVD in its track to repeat that line for the kids and wonder in amazement at how relevant it was to today's presidential campaign. One YouTuber even made a funny video with a collage of the candidates "singing" David Bowie's "Changes."

The movie features an incredible performance by Andy Griffith, whose Lonesome Rhodes character is, shall we say, nothing like the Sheriff of Mayberry. There is a great cameo by Mike Wallace, playing himself.

After watching it, it's ironic that Griffith endorsed one of the Democratic candidates for NC Governor in the primary this year in a TV spot where he played like the retired sheriff of Mayberry.

For you political junkies out there who have not seen this film, rent it before November if you can.