PREACHERS

Preachers are major players here in the South, key figures in the religious and political life of our communities. How have they fared on the silver screen? Pretty well.

The Apostle (1997) was a labor of love for Robert Duvall, its director and star. A genuine study of a man of God with personal problems, it rings as true as a church bell. It takes its subject very seriously, with no winks or condescension. Duvall is super. Billy  Bob Thornton as a renegade red neck brought literally to his knees by a confrontation with his roots and his Lord is not to be missed. 

The Little Minister (1934) is old but remains a great story and a fine film. John Beal is the title character, in love against his will with the beauteous, wilful Katherine Hepburn. This film still has much to teach about how we perceive our ministers. One character observes that he would have preferred that the minister chase his windblown hat “more reverently.” 

Peter Marshall was as famous in his day as Billy Graham is today. Mr. Marshall was a fine minister and for some years the chaplain of the U.S. Senate. His life and times are celebrated in A Man Called Peter (1955). Richard Todd is convincing and winning as Marshall and Jean Peters is excellent as his wife and biographer, Katherine. Not many people seem familiar with this film anymore, which was very popular when released. 

Bing Crosby seemed almost born to play Father O’Malley in the wonderful Going My Way (1944). Bing, relaxed as always, must convince the irascible Barry Fitzgerald (his boss) to loosen up. This film deservedly won a carload of Oscars (best movie, director, song, actor, supporting actor) and it holds up well. Especially charming is Crosby’s winning over the neighborhood’s roughneck kids. The sequel, The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945),  isn’t nearly as good.

The other side of the coin in its treatment of ministers is Sinclair Lewis’ Elmer Gantry (1960) with Burt Lancaster having a ball as a tent-show charlatan parading as a man of God. This film does a fine job  showing what’s wrong (then and now) with some parts of religion and its practitioners. Somewhat tame after 60 years, it was a sensation when it was released.

And finally, two films about disgraced pastor Jim Bakker’s somewhat clueless wife, Tammy Faye. She was known for her outrageous eye makeup. The Eyes Of Tammy Faye (2000)  is a friendly documentary about her. The 2021 version (same title) features Jessica Chastain as Tammy and is worth a look. 

All of the films in this column are available on DVD  The Apostle and Elmer Gantry are for 12 and up only. The rest are okay for kids, who would probably be bored.