The Cross and the Switchblade

This movie is very spiritual and moving. For a low budget movie this comes across as very professional and mostly well acted. It goes on to show that belief in Jesus takes more guts than having cowardly self interest and hate in us. Great to see a movie that is not only a real positive message, but a fact, as I have met the real Nicky Cruise and know it is true.

I saw this movie when I was 13 years old, while first released at the theaters. It has stayed with me ever since. I am not a religious person, and the heart of this movie is not in my memory for spiritual reasons. It is the true story of the heartbreaking struggles of a few, then dozens, then hundreds of streetkids. It is the true story of the bitter-sweet survival, recovery, success of one after another. And the utter sadness in the loss and waste of those lost to drugs, crime, and/or prison. What moved me wasn't as much the tenacity and courage of the preacher who gave up his comforts to live and work among those of the street, which was enormous, but the fact that these kids were found, or found someone, to pull them out, to fight for them until they finally became capable of fighting for themselves. There is both humor and drama in this story of kids who learned through the efforts of one single man, constantly, unrelentlessly, with creativity and iron testicles, that they can overcome.

Watching the 1962 State Fair last night with Mom got me thinking about finally watching that movie's star-Pat Boone-in his last movie in a leading role that he made several years later, this one I'm reviewing right now. See, Mom told me how much of a fan she was of his growing up in the '50s which I sorta knew about since I remember my parents having several of his record albums on the shelf that I remember listening to as a kid. Anyway, here he plays real-life preacher David Wilkerson who comes to the New York ghetto hoping to convert some gangs there to God and Jesus. One particular gang member leader he hopes to convert is Nicky Cruz who feels such contempt for him he slaps his face and spits on him. He's played by Erik Estrada at the beginning of his acting career years before becoming popular on TV's "CHiPs". Initially, Mom thought the movie was weird when it showed some early scenes of some people doing drugs and I myself thought some of the songs weren't suitable for some sequences. Still, as the narrative went on we were enthralled by many of the conflicts being depicted and Wilkerson's attempts to reach the gangs' minds and soul. Boone is quite good in his role and Estrada was quite excellent in his angry scenes and some others near the end. So despite some cheesiness, I and Mom say give The Cross and the Switchblade a chance.

To me it seemed that the movie was a rush job. The book is a very powerful tool for telling the word of Christ. According to the sequel: "Beyond The Cross and the Switchblade" after the movie came out contributions started to drop off. Finally Pastor Wilkerson found out that due to the success people thought their contributions were no longer needed. Funny thing, the distributor of the film went bankrupt. Overall the work that "Teen Challenge" later to become "World Challenge" is tremendous. From a tiny acorn a mighty oak has grown.

What you may Learn from watching this film!!!

1. Cops should never try to stop gang fights. They just become new props for the taking.

2. Nice girls like to get high too...

3. To get info from a street kid in the South Bronx.. All you need are a pair of patent leathers.

4. If your name is Israel.. The Bible talks a lot about you..

5. Never expect someone to be happy to see you at 2am.

6. Never use the toilets at a drug dealer's home. You may poop on his stash.

7. Gangs always set the ground rules when they rumble. "No zips.. I had a hell of a time removing that bullet last week."

8. If you want to get a gang bangers attention during a revival meeting. Always have some hot chick sing "Bringing in the Sheaves"

9. It's nice to see that Pat Boone can do something else besides singing Tiny Bubbles.

********** Personal Commentary ***************

This film was great when I was a kid. It made me want to get right with God. As I got older. I realized how funny this film could be.. Eric Estrada as Nicky Cruz was entertaining. He is so cheesy an actor and combines him with Pat Boone.. Oh man.. But I have to say.. seriously.. The story is good & needs to be told..

In closing.. All I can say is... "Where's Jon, Ponch!" I give this film..... 6 moooos....

That's my story & I'm sticking to it...

Mooby "For GODs sake, let the Moobster dance!" quote: N. Fisher