Whisky, miracles et revolver

I'm not always the greatest fan of Rooney but in this movie he is an absolute delight. Understated, enthusiastic, he absolutely nailed this characterisation and this under-rated little Western is a hidden gem due to this. You root for him, you really do and Rooney's performance makes the whole thing believable.

In its last years Republic Pictures after losing its biggest asset John Wayne did a number of interesting films to try and keep the studio going. One of them was this film, The Twinkle In God's Eye. It's the story of a newly minted minister wanting to take up where his deceased father left off and rebuild his church in the western town of Lodestone.

The casting is a bit unusual with Mickey Rooney, a bit old to play the idealistic young minister, but still giving a decent performance as the idealistic if a big ingenuous lead.

His biggest foe in the town is Hugh O'Brian saloon owner who sees a church cutting in on his business. Rooney wants to build his church on a hill above O'Brian's saloon and O'Brian even offers him money to go somewhere else in the town. But that's where Dad built his church and where Dad was killed. On that he's firm.

Rooney is a George Bailey type hero who in the end realizes just how much of an impact he's had on the people of Lodestone just as Bailey's impact is on Bedford Falls. His biggest impact might just be on Coleen Gray individually who is paralyzed as a result of a fall from a horse, but now won't give up. And life takes a funny old bounce for Hugh O'Brian in that he gets all he wants and more.

In fact everyone gets what they want and/or deserve in The Twinkle In God's Eye including the audience for this film.

For those of us who saw this decidedly minor film on its initial release during the fall of 1955, there were several shockers early on in the brief 73 minute film, which was used to round out the second half of a double bill in less than prestigious theatres. First, as Mickey Rooney (who is supposed to look considerably younger than he does) journeys to a small out of the way cowtown (he's an idealistic frontier preacher), even the youngest among us burst out in laughter when we see an airplane in the sky. What we were too naive to know at the time was that on low budget features like this, there was only enough time, budget, and film stock for one take - so if something like a plane happened to fly by in clear sight of the camera, it ended up in the finished film. Moments later, when Mickey did arrive, there supercool but also supersleazy owner of the saloon was played by none other than . . . the same man who incarnated wholesome teetoltaler Wyatt Earp on TV every Tuesday night, Hugh O'Brian. Eventually, we settled down to enjoy this mild oater in which Mickey wins over Hugh in good time and the sinful saloon gives way to a nice church. Undemanding in all respects, this film will be most enjoyed, if and when it shows up on some nostalgic movie channel or VHS/DVD, by those of us who loved it, all flaws aside, way back when.

I'm not a big fan of most of Mickey Rooney's 1950s work. I love young Mickey and even old Mickey but middle-aged Mickey rarely does it for me. This is one of the better vehicles for him from this period. Considering it's not a particularly special picture that says a lot. It's predictable and uninteresting and feels in many ways like a TV pilot. But Rooney's screen presence is pleasant and that kept me watching until the end. It's the kind of movie that's perfect to have on in the background. No matter how much of it you miss you'll have no trouble following the plot.

This film is somewhat of s hidden gem. I serendipitously happened upon it while searching YouTube for an old movie to comfort me on a particularly cold evening. I wont be placing any onus on storyline. Viewers can judge a film for themselves by simply watching them without the prejudice of subjective review. It's an Independent (Republic) Film. Standard Western fare, Produced by Mr. Rooney himself. It has fantasic production values and alot of good humour. One early scene, Rooney's rookie preacher walks into a town bar and is cordially invited by locals for a free drink. He asks for milk. It's old school funny but hey it's an old school film...top cast...a genuine little gem. Reviews and ratings is cyberspace can be cruel. It's more a reflection of modern humanity than the quality of this lovely, black and white, 1955 production, which is one that i am so happy to have found. Mickey Rooney was a masterful performer. His character and star quality shines very brightly here. Im clearly a fan...however...if this film were anything other than what this review purports, i wouldn't be doing anyone reading this review, or the film itself any service.