Anonima peccati

I was surprised at this story in how it was told; as well as the acting by several cast members. Thanks to TCM this 1961 version of Angel Baby was well scripted. I am a believer, but this film certainly would be for both believers and those who are not yet. This film shows the flaws in human nature as well as actors portraying those in real life that have a gift of healing. Even if you view the story for just the fine acting of Ms. Salome Jens, Joan Blondell, Henry Jones and surprisingly the acting of George Hamilton. I have not seen any of the remakes; that is something I doubt I will. So if you have the opportunity to view this film I don't think your time will be wasted.

In the wake of the success of Elmer Gantry in the previous year, Angel Baby with a considerably smaller budget came out in 1961. This story is a good deal trashier and it introduces Salome Jens in the title role of a faith healing evangelist who is sincere, but surrounded by sharks.

Young evangelist George Hamilton after healing her dumbness at a meeting falls big time for her. It was a hysterical dumbness after a traumatic experience. Jens decides that evangelism is for her.

Hamilton falls for her, but he's already married to much older woman Mercedes McCambridge. Jens has this good ole boy young Burt Reynolds panting after her. When she strikes out on her own in the evangelical profession Jens has her two leeching parents, Henry Jones and Joan Blondell. She also has a real snake for a manager in Roger Clark.

Angel Baby is pretty trashy stuff. But a good cast makes it interesting.

And here, all I remembered of "Angel Baby" was Mercedes McCambridge as a lady evangelist offering her wisdom to poor misguided George Hamilton. That plus, of course, a *quite* young Burt Reynolds playing a thuggish local lad.

Believe me, watching this crew was a spiritual experience...

Angel Baby was originally bought by Columbia in 1960 and shelved for a year to insure the success of that studio's similar "Elmer Gantry." On its own merit it is an outstanding film with Oscar worthy performances by the leads, Salome Jens as Angel Baby, and George Hamilton as the evangelist who heals her. Mercedes McCambridge slightly overacts as his jealous wife and Burt Reynolds is a stinker as Angel's ex-boyfriend. He even requested his part in the picture be larger, adding a scene where he almost rapes her, one of the films demerits. The outstanding photography by Haskell Wexler who shot the film with a mini-camera while he roller skated on the set is by far his best effort. Henry Jones and Joan Blondell do fine in their supporting roles as Angel Baby's true believers.

Evangelist faith-healer Paul Strand (George Hamilton) travels the American south with his wife Sarah (Mercedes McCambridge), Mollie Hays (Joan Blondell), and Ben Hays (Henry Jones) to preach to the masses in a tent. Angel Baby (Salome Jens) has been mute since childhood. She is drawn to the meeting where Paul somehow heals her. The group takes her under their wings and turns her into an orator. Her boyfriend Hoke Adams (Burt Reynolds) gets jealous.

It is interesting that the film starts with text saying this may not be suitable for impressable children. I can imagine some blowback from the religious community. Many characters are drawn too broadly. Burt Reynolds is in his first movie and he is probably one of those broad characters. I would like less of the romantic melodrama. There are some interesting elements, but the film does struggle in the mix.