The Gun and the Pulpit

It's pretty obvious that the made-for-TV movie "The Gun and the Pulpit" was a television pilot in disguise. It didn't get picked up by any network for a series, and maybe that's for the best. Not that this movie is awful, but I think writers would have soon run out of ideas for this gunfighter- disguised-as-a-preacher character. I think this idea works best as a one- shot, and the movie does a fairly good job at that. Marjoe Gortner is pretty good as the main character, showing a sense of humor as well as a lot of enthusiasm. (Though his resemblance to B movie actor Michael Dudikoff is unintentionally funny.) There are some genuinely funny moments here and there, and the movie unfolds at a brisk clip and never outstays its welcome. This movie isn't hard to find - it's apparently fallen into the public domain, so many video companies are selling it - so keep an eye out for it.

In order to elude authorities, western outlaw Marjoe Gortner (as Ernie Parsons) assumes the identity of a traveling preacher. Mr. Gortner takes up residence in parson-needy Castle Walk, Arizona; there, at a funeral, he and sexy teenager Pamela Sue Martin (as Sally Underwood) are mutually attracted. Soon, Gortner's shady past threatens his budding relationship with young Ms. Martin. Sidekick Slim Pickens (as Billy One-Eye) and mother Estelle Parsons (as Sadie Underwood) lend their support.

Even in this slightly above average television production, Gortner has star quality to burn. Taken as a screen test, "The Gun and the Pulpit " miraculously elevates the former evangelist to convincing western hero. Pamela Sue Martin is excellent as Gortner's barely legal leading lady; her glances are more sensual than a strip tease. Director Daniel Petrie handles the assignment admirably. Gortner's star quality was evident since the riveting documentary "Marjoe" (1972), which revealed his evangelical movement to be a money-grubbing scam. In hindsight, it seems Marjoe Gortner was too hot for Hollywood to handle.

****** The Gun and the Pulpit (4/3/74) Daniel Petrie ~ Marjoe Gortner, Pamela Sue Martin, Slim Pickens, Estelle Parsons

This film begins with a gunslinger by the name of "Ernie Parsons" (Marjoe Gortner) about to be lynched for a crime he did not commit. Fortunately for him, he is saved at the very last minute by a young woman who convinces the lynch mob that another man had just confessed to the crime and was being held several miles away. Naturally, the lynch mob releases Ernie only to discover minutes later that the young woman had fabricated everything. Having just enough of a head start, Ernie manages to elude the posse and while doing so comes upon the body of a dead preacher. Recognizing an opportunity when he sees it, Ernie subsequently dons the preacher's attire and decides to ride to the town of Castle Walk to masquerade as the new parson just long enough for the dust to settle. What he doesn't realize is that, even though this town is desperate for a new preacher, they need a top gunslinger even more. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this turned out to be an enjoyable made-for-television Western which had a couple of established actors like Slim Pickens (as "Billy One-Eye"), David Huddleston ("Mr. Ross") and Geoffrey Lewis ("Jason McCoy"). It also had a good bit of humor here and there as well. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Pamela Sue Martin (as "Sally Underwood") certainly didn't hurt either. That being said, while it may have been somewhat limited by its made-for-television format, this still turned out to be better than I expected and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

I've seen this movie about 4 times, under various circumstances, including a night in the hospital when I couldn't sleep. I have always liked Marjo Gortner in his limited career, and this movie was a lot of fun. It reminds me of the old TV westerns like "Maverick" in its humour and characterizations. I can't believe it's not had 5 votes yet.

Take "Shane", put him in a collar, make the kid a teenage girl instead of a little boy, and you have "The Gun and the Pulpit." Marjoe Gortner is an interesting actor, but the bad guy could have used more of the menace that Jack Palance brought to "Shane". The cheapness of the typical '70's made for TV movie shines through, so it's hard to give this more than a five out of ten.

But I like Marjoe. I hear he's running charitable events involving golf in Hollywood these days. It's too bad his acting career never took off.

I also liked the gunfight where both gunfighters miss. That's something I'd never seen before in a Western. There was some thinking going on here.