The Gun and the Pulpit

About seven years earlier Robert Mitchum essayed the character of a gunfighter/preacher in Five Card Stud. Although that film was far better than The Gun And The Pulpit, this made for television is a cut above average for television film. It also has the unassailable casting of Marjoe Gortner as a false preacher.

As we know Marjoe who was only using his first name when being a child preacher did a documentary exposing the racket that huckster evangelism is. So it's fitting and proper that he play a phony preacher in The Gun And The Pulpit, a gunfighter on the run who exchanges clothes with a dead preacher on the road to escape a posse.

There's plenty of trouble in the town where he takes up the pulpit, the local Ponderosa owner David Huddleston is leaning on everybody with his gunfighters on the payroll. Marjoe's fast draw wins him a lot of admirers most especially Estelle Parsons and her nubile young daughter Pamela Sue Martin. She's the reason he's staying. And there's also Slim Pickens who knows his secret and his real identity, but knows the town needs a savior. {pun intended}.

This western moves real nice with the kind of plot that was standard fare for the front row matinée kids of the 30s and 40s. Marjor is a good western hero, maybe he should have gone into that line of work.

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.

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

I have been involved in Fundamentalist/Evangelical worship all of my life and I find myself in agreement of what Marjoe did years ago although when it happened I felt different. Every time a fake preacher is exposed it makes it more difficult for those who are sincere in their work and it also causes those who are looking for spiritual guidance to feel they have been lied to. I know preachers who are sincere about their mission and service to the Lord and nothing makes them sicker than these fakes who are in it for the money and to show off. I know at least one who is very clear that he has no respect for these fakes and I know well enough not to get him started about these frauds. Marjoe blew the whistle on this racket and God bless him for it. I wish he would have continued his acting career because I liked a lot of his work and I hope his has found the faith that is genuine and able to put the fake stuff behind him. Those who are in it for the money or to show off will answer to the Lord one day. I also hope those who were turned off by these fakes will give faith another chance and find someone who is sincere to guide them into finding the faith they were looking for. God bless you Mr. Gortner and best wishes to you. I hope you have found the true faith that many were looking for before you exposed the fakers.

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.