The Leather Saint

In "The Leather Saint", an Episcopal minister, Gil Allen (John Derek), decides to box in the ring in order to bring much needed funds to his parish and to fund their hospital. After all, the story was made during the height of the polio epidemic and iron lungs and rehabilitation equipment is expensive. However, oddly, he never tells his trainer (Paul Douglas) that he's a preacher and it remains a strange, dark secret for much of the story.

In many ways, this film is a typical sort of boxing movie with the novelty of having the boxing sensation being a clergyman. Apart from that and some schmaltzy stuff towards the end, it's nothing out of the ordinary and the boxing scenes are amazingly sparse as well as tame.

1956's "The Leather Saint" became one of the oddest footnotes in the 20 year history of Pittsburgh's Chiller Theater, appearing Feb 21 1970, preceding second feature 1962's "The Brain," during a season where straight titles alternated with more typical genre fare. A rarely seen, long forgotten Paramount programmer, John Derek stars as an Episcopalian priest who decides to resume his college boxing career as a lucrative sideline to finance an iron lung and swimming pool for the polio-stricken children of his congregation. His unsuspecting manager (Paul Douglas) and promoter (Cesar Romero) are unaware of his day job, only able to box on Saturdays, while the boozing Pearl Gorman (Jody Lawrance) takes a good look between swallows at the handsome newcomer, whose ability to knock out opponents with one blow earn him his trademark 'Sunday Punch.' Robert Cornthwaite plays a sympathetic doctor, Thomas Browne Henry plays against type as the Bishop, while Ernest Truex purposely sounds like Barry Fitzgerald in "Going My Way" (he is only told that the money is a weekly charitable donation). Coming off a starring role in the British sci fi curiosity "The Gamma People," Paul Douglas again enjoys top billing, shortly before his untimely death at 52 just three years later. On the heels of his Joshua in the classic "The Ten Commandments," John Derek again displays his magnificent physique, completing this film the very year future bride Bo Derek was born.

Better than expected drama with a bit of a twist.

John Derek, impressively fit for a man of God, plays a young minister who while mixing it up in the local gym is spotted by fight promoter Paul Douglas who proposes he set up some fights for him. Of course Douglas is oblivious to Derek's vocation since John is in boxing trunks and he demurs. But when the need arises for both a community swimming pool and an iron lung!! Father John pitches in with his fists while fending off the advances of a dipsomaniac songstress!

If it all sounds rather soapy it could be if it weren't for the performances of Derek and the always reliable Paul Douglas. They keep a lid on the schmaltzy aspects of the scripts by not overselling their parts. The director also wisely keeps the pace brisk over the short running time. It's not art but considering the implausibility of the story it's better than it should be.

What should be done? The story in one sense centers around this question. John Derek plays the part of an Episcopal minister who, at a home for ill children they're running of money for needed objects for the children, such as an iron lung. To solve this problem the minister, who had previously boxed in college, and knows all too well that he's still good, is going to bring himself very much money which, in turn, is going to go to the children's home. His manager, played by Paul Douglas is impressed with him, but wonders after Derek knocks out his opponent, why this boxer after a fight asks how his opponent is doing. Caeser Romero is the one who books the fights. Jody Lawrance plays the part of Romero's lover who, however, falls in love with Derek so much; however, she does not know initially that he is a minister; she plays the part of a lady who cannot stay off the booze, but is positively affected later by him when she comes to know empirically that he is a very caring person.

The movie has a very good point to it and, being a minister myself, find it very inspiring. Wonderful!