2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Straight Shootin Preacher (***1/2), April 22, 2005
From 1974, "The Gun And The Pulpit" stars Marjoe Gortner as a famous, quick on the draw gunfighter. When he is set up on a fake murder charge, he hides out in a small town and poses as a preacher. The townsfolk are in awe of this preacher who uses a six-shooter to turn the bad guys into believers! Lots of fun. The film also stars a young and beautiful Pamela Sue Martin,the great Slim Pickens, and a wonderful as always, Estelle Parsons. It is in color and Directed by Daniel Petrie.
This film may also be found on Platinum Disc's Great American Western series. This one is included on the single disc of Volume 13 in the series, along with a great documnetary on "Gunfighters", "My Outlaw Brother"(1951), with Mickey Rooney and Robert Stack, and a fun Spaghetti Western "Boot Hill"(from the Trinity series) with Terrence Hill and Woody Strode. Volume 13 may also be purchased as part of Volume 2 of the larger sets(10 discs/40 films). Th DVDs in this series are not pristeen. There are scratches and graineyness, especially in the older films, and the color films are pretty dated. But all are enhanced with DD5.1 sound, and if you are a western lover, you really can't go wrong for the price.
Check em out..Sadlle Up and Happy Trails...Laurie
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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very enjoyable TV western, July 19, 2010
Here is an early '70s made-for-TV western movie which features all the expected hallmarks of its sub-genre: familiar actors, easy-to-digest plot, brevity, professional work by all involved. THE GUN AND THE PULPIT has got 'em all and then some. What more do you want?
Marjoe Gortner, who I only knew previously from FOOD OF THE GODS, is your main attraction here, portraying a gunslinger on the run who masquerades as a visiting small-town preacher. But wouldn't you know it, he winds up getting entangled in all the townsfolk's' affairs. Gortner is a delight -- ALL charisma -- playing a quick shot that is equally quick-lipped. Never boastful or cocky, Gortner strides through the film confidently, really making you root for his character. I was not surprised to learn that the actor had been a preacher in real life -- his personal magnetism is truly a thing to behold.
The supporting cast includes familiar faces such as Pamela Sue Martin, Estelle ("Voice of Mrs. Claus") Parsons, and David Huddleston. Also featured are two excellent supporting performances: Geoffrey Lewis and Slim Pickens. Lewis, whose name you may not recognize, but whose face you most definitely will, is terrific in a very brief role as one of Gortner's rival shooters. He plays the hired gun like a seasoned business traveler, right down to work with no pretense of romanticism. His big, dramatic shootout scene is the film's best gag, hands down. As for Pickens, the veteran makes a kind of throwaway sidekick role into one with a touch of grace -- witness the scene where he deftly reveals his knowledge of Gortner's past.
Because this is a 75-minute TV movie, certain plot points are not very fleshed out (Gortner's romance with Martin; how exactly Huddleston lords over the townspeople), but that's to be expected, and it really doesn't detract from the overall story. And it is a pretty lightweight affair. There are more than a few scenes played for laughs, and even the grim day-to-day life of the miserable locals is considerably downplayed. You can usually tell by a movie's score how the filmmakers themselves view the goings-on, and here the themes are rousting, stirring, lighthearted, not a bleak passage to be found. The opening and closing title music is particularly catchy. Credit to George Tipton for nice work there.
I found this flick to be a great, entertaining western featuring a winning lead performance. I recommend it if only to check out Mr. Gortner. 8/10 stars.
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