Hello Readers,
I have exciting news. A Boy's Best Comrade was chosen as a finalist in the 2025 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards in the Young Readers category. I sure didn't see this coming when I got the idea reading a dog trivia calendar! https://readerviews.com/literaryawards/winners/2025-category/#childrens-categories
"I'm not just an entertainer, I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, I'm a force!" declares television host and rising populist political star Lonesome Rhodes. In its depiction of Rhodes' fictional meteoric rise and inevitable fall 1957's A Face in the Crowd predicted the modern media and political landscapes, offering a dire warning against both. Considered both a critical and commercial flop by its contemporaries the film has since gone on to obtain classic status as it continues to gain in relevancy with each passing year. Follow the road to stardom with Lonesome Rhodes in A Face in the Crowd.
The story begins with ambitious radio producer, Marcia, on the search for 'the next big thing'. While recording a segment at an Arkansas jail she encounters drifter Larry Rhodes. While Rhodes is an obvious drunken lout, Marcia sees potential in his folksy charisma and southern charm. She soon books him on a segment in Memphis in which his humorous ad-libbing and politically tinged music leaves the audience captivated when a stunt against the show's sponsors leads to increased ratings and sales the station realizes that Rhodes' full persuasive powers. He is then offered his own show in New York City, catapulting him to national stardom. His celebrity status inspires a national movement and puts him on the road to a political career. As his fame increases, however, so to does his callousness, recklessness, and need for power. It's up to Marcia to expose the monster that she's created before it's too late.
Panned by critics and audiences for its naturalistic performances and bleak tone A Face in the Crowd was an unquestionable flop upon its release. In the decades that followed, however, the film has gone on to attain classic status and it's little wonder why. In its depiction of Rhodes' meteoric rise and inevitable fall the film expertly captures the fickle nature of celebrity and the manipulative power of the media. Beyond merely commenting on the failings of its time the film uncannily predicts the modern media landscape. For example Rhodes; folksy television chats remarkably resemble the modern fascination with unscripted programming offered by reality tv. Similarly, the grass roots movement that he inspires eerily parallels the phenomenon of online influencers. Through its portrayal of his foray into politics the film mirrors our own political landscape in which politicians rely upon celebrity endorsements and hire influencers to official positions. Perhaps most prescient is the way in which Rhodes' appeal to the 'common man' of rural America foreshadows the rise of populist politics across the globe. Beyond merely commenting upon the changing media and political landscapes the film offers a dire warning against giving in to them which has only become more relevant with every passing year. Witness the dazzle and darkness of modern media with Lonesome Rhodes in A Face in the Crowd.
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| I'm not just an entertainer. I'm an influence, a wielder of opinion, a force... a force! |
Each member of the cast offers a tour de force performance. Anthony Franciosa is the epitome of sleaze as Rhodes' smarmy manager. Lee Remick aptly balances naivete with sex appeal as Rhodes' teen fan turned wife, Betty Lou. Walter Mathau blends integrity with grit as television writer turned crusading journalist, Mel. Patricia Neal is captivating in her portrayal of Marcia as a capable, modern ,woman nearly undone by the manipulations of a common grifter. Andy Griffith is a revelation in his magnetic turn as Rhodes.
In just over two hours A Face in the Crowd captures the emerging media phenomenon of its time while eerily predicting our own. The biting script predicts everything from reality tv to social medial to the reemergence of political populism with uncanny prescience. The performances bring each of the characters to life iwth a depth and nuance that ensure each of the characters is fully three dimensional. At once perfectly capturing its era and entirely ahead of its time, A Face in the Crowd still stands out from the crowd nearly seventy years after its release.
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| Good Night you stupid idiots. Good Night, you miserable slobs. |
Dear readers,
Thank you for all of your support! To show my appreciation I'm sharing sample pages of my new graphic novel Daughters of Attrition.
Hello readers,
Just a heads up that my graphic novel Daughters of Attrition is now available via ebook and will be available via print tomorrow! The story follows the friendship between two young girls set against the backdrop of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
https://www.amazon.com/Daughters-Attrition-Lauren-Ennis-ebook/dp/B0GLFR898P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1DVK49D9EXG5R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DDOlpJF6ulb25nwQ8gFKkM_NBNWn-ao2dzScnUlKQJzGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.ijE1c_RtoGP_5BAUkOD0YqDSPTserBhDGKeTAWXpQlA&dib_tag=se&keywords=daughters+of+attrition&qid=1770675254&sprefix=%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1
Where is the line between love and lust? Or, better yet, where is the line between love and hate? These are the questions that lie at the heart of the 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction. Shocking, scintillating, and suspenseful, the film captures the danger in giving in to desire. For a Valentine's Day that 'can't be ignored' join Alex and Dan in Fatal Attraction.
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| Scaring straying husbands straight since 1987 |
The story begins with successful attorney Dan Gallagher enjoying a stable but predictable life with his wife and young daughter. When his wife and daughter leave town for a family visit he crosses paths with book editor Alex Forest. Stifled by his humdrum existence he gives in to temptation and has what he believes is a one night stand with her. It becomes apparent that she has other plans when she insists that he spend the following day with her. He soon learns that she is deeply troubled when she attempts suicide after he remains firm in his intention to return home to his family. Despite his repeated rejections Alex continues to pursue Dan with increasingly desperate methods that ultimately turn dangerous. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse that takes the term pot-boiler to a whole new level.
Fatal Attraction sets itself apart from both romances and erotic thrillers in its unabashed celebration of the stability of family life. Whereas most romances would have depicted Dan and Alex's affair as an empowering, intoxicating, experience the film depicts it as ultimately empty and harmful. Similarly, while romance would have justified Dan's infidelity as a necessary respite from a family who don't understand or appreciate him the film instead depicts his dalliance as an act of selfishness and immaturity. Despite is sensual start the film also distinguishes itself from the erotic thrillers that would dominate the 1980's and 1990's by showing not only the allure of Alex's sexual assertiveness but following that trait to its terrifying conclusion. Fatal Attraction's depiction of its central pair's sordidness of the pair's tryst and its devastating consequences stands in stark contrast to its wholesome portrayal of Dan's family life. While the film aptly portrays his restlessness in his marriage it is the very predictable stability that he is trying to escape that he ultimately fights to return to. Whereas Alex represents the promise of excitement and danger Dan's wife, Beth, symbolizes the fulfillment of long-term commitment. Similarly, while Alex offers devilish temptation it is within Beth's quiet strength and moral fortitude that he ultimately finds his redemption. This Valentine's Day cuddle up with that special someone for dear life and enjoy a Fatal Attraction.
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| Love hurts |
Exciting news! The graphic novel adaptation of my screenplay, Daughters of Attrition, will be available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble February 10. The story follows two young girls as they find solace in friendship and imagination amidst the turmoil of the 2021 American withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Hello readers,
Be sure to check out my latest podcast appearance on Books, Brews, and Dogs' Indie Author Spotlight in which I discuss my debut novel, A Boy's Best Comrade!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrC36CgyIHM
