In the 50s theaters were losing patrons to TV and needed to
find some way to draw customers back. One of the things they chose was making
inspirational movies that appealed to church goers. When you look back at that
time period you see the movies that they made were mostly spectacles that
featured lavish effects and Biblical tales. BEN-HUR (1959), THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(1956), THE ROBE (1953) and QUO VADIS (1951) all came out in that decade. And
then there were smaller movies along the same lines that did well too. One of
those was A MAN CALLED PETER.
The films covers the true story of Pastor Peter Marshall who
came from humble beginnings to reach the floor of the Senate as their pastor.
Marshall (Richard Todd) grows up in Coatbridge, Scotland, and dreams of
becoming a sailor with a love of the sea. When he nearly falls over a cliff in
a heavy fog he changes course and makes the decision to dedicate his life to
God.
Working hard and sometimes at two jobs he saves enough money
to go to America. He does the same there earning enough money to put himself
through ministry school. And when he graduates he takes on the role of pastor
in a small church in Covington, Georgia. His sermons stir people and it isn’t
long before his church begins to draw a crowd. One of those in attendance is
Catherine Wood (Jean Peters), a student at nearby Agnes Scott College.
While attending a function at the college Peter is
introduced to Catherine and hears her speak using portions of his sermons in
what she says. It isn’t long before the two fall in love and marry. On their
sea bound honeymoon she gets seasick and doesn’t enjoy the trip. Being on the
water is not her thing.
When they return from their honeymoon Peter is sent to a new
church, the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He changes
things around inviting any and everyone much to the chagrin of the snooty
church elders. But the pews fill, people are saved and their attitudes open a
bit. His son is born the same day that Pearl Harbor attacks and he delivers a
sermon to the cadets at Annapolis. Rather than give details as to the events
that happened the rest of his life know that eventually he was installed as the
Chaplain of the United States Senate and his sermons were heard and recorded
for more to be inspired by.
And inspiration is what this movie is all about. There is no
doubt that the life of this great man, taken far too soon at age 46, was a
story worth telling. And there was no way that that glossed over methods of
Hollywood would present that story this way. But at the same time the movie is
more low key than most, a depiction of small town life and D.C. as rarely
presented.
It’s also nice to see a movie from Hollywood that celebrates
religion this way with respect and dignity, the opposite of which seems to be
the norm these days. It’s one thing to disagree and another to disrespect and
ridicule which seems to be the case now. While movies like this one may seem
overblown and too simple for crowds of today the film actually treats the
subject matter without taking that tact. Instead it remains low key and makes
its points using the actual words of the man the story is focused on.
The film features some fine performances from both Todd and
Peters who bring life to their roles. Todd never became a huge star though he
worked long after the film was made. Peters stepped away from acting and didn’t
make another film for 18 years with only 4 more credits after this film, in
spite of having been involved in numerous hits prior to this one.
The movie is one worth watching. Before watching it again on
this release from Twilight Time I remembered seeing it years ago on some late
night movie when those existed. I was remembered how it had touched me back then
when I saw it and it continues to do that to this day. If you’ve never seen it
make a point of seeking it out.
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