‘A Face in the Crowd,’ filmed locally, shows Sunday at Rodgers

As viewers watch “A Face in the Crowd,” showing for free at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Historic Rodgers Theatre, they may recognizes the features of more than the show’s stars.

Extras from throughout the region took part in the film, many being band students from 30 schools, including Poplar Bluff High School. The movie — featuring Andy Griffith, who played Larry “Lonesome” Rhodes — was filmed in Piggott, Arkansas. A few scenes were taped in Poplar Bluff.

When Rodgers Theatre board members Rhonda Hillis of Poplar Bluff and Joyce Keathley of Van Buren decided to spread the word about the special Silver Screen event, they visited Piggott in hopes of hanging a few posters.

The duo returned home feeling like royalty who had been treated to a special day.

The small northeast Arkansas town is keeping the movie and it’s history alive. Everywhere they went, Hillis said, someone had a story to share and there were building painted with scenes from the movie.

“The movie was made in 1956 and aired in 1957,” Hillis said.

Along their trek, they meet a variety of people who shared memories and opened more doors for them. A special place they stopped was the Piggott Chamber of Commerce, where the staff offered to share memorabilia for the special viewing at the Rodgers, Hillis said.

“We have a copy of the script and the check from Newtown Productions Inc. special account for $8,502.57 to share,” she said.

Another stop was the law office of Clifford “Joe” Cole, who is collecting items and information in hopes of writing a book about the movie.

He was 4 years old and too young to participate, but Cole’s mother was an extra. Cole was positioned in a friend’s business where she could keep an eye on him. He soon got to know most of the actors, and would greet them every time he saw them.

Keathley and Hillis returned to Poplar Bluff with 90 seats reserved for the Silver Scene event, a promise from Cole to share facts with the audience and possibly introduce some of extras who will share memories of the taping.

Lee Remick, who played Betty Lou Fleckum, lived with the family of a Piggott majorette for two weeks to learn how to twirl the baton, Hillis said.

Piggott residents seemed to be especially proud Patricia Neal, who played Marcia Jeffries, returned when the community held an anniversary honoring the movie.

Hillis and Keathley are issuing a special invitation to anyone who was in the movie or who had a family member in the movie.

“We are going to have vehicles for shuttles so people will not have to walk to the theater,” Hillis said. “Public parking will be available in the city parking lots by Minit Print, on Broadway behind Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill, the Poplar Bluff Public Library on Second Street, as well as the Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home parking lot on North Main and College streets.”

Others staring the movie were Anthony Franciosa as Joey DePalma, Walter Matthauas Mel Miller, Percy Waram, General Haynesworth, Paul McGrath as Macey, Rod Brasfield as Beanie, Marshall Neilan as Sen. Worthington Fuller, and Alexander Kirkland as Jim Collier.

While admission is free, donations are welcome to help with the upkeep of the building. The concession stand will be open for business as usual.

The Rodgers Theatre is a historic commercial building located at 204 N. Broadway. It was built in 1949 with art deco and art moderne stylistic elements.