ironhorse_iv Thank God! This movie was entertaining. Based off, Jack Ehrlich's 1972 novel, 'The Fastest Gun in the Pulpit', this television film directed by Daniel Petrie was watchable. Made for the ABC Network, the movie is about a top gunslinger Ernie Parsons (Marjoe Gortner) who escapes from a lynching mob for a crime he did not commit, by taking the identity of a dead corpse of a preacher, he found in the desert. With his new identity as a fast-gun preacher in the dirtwater town of Castle Walk, he helps the town folks overcome the tyrannical rule of a local rancher, Ross (David Huddleston), whose killers, bullies & enforcers ranch hands been terrorize the town with an iron fist. This made-for-TV film seen to be tailor made just for the main actor, former evangelist, Marjoe Gortner. Marjoe first gather up fame, when he was a kid. His parents arranged for him at age four to be ordained as a preacher, due to his extraordinary speaking ability; he was the youngest known in that position. As a young man, he preached on the revival circuit, until the late 1960s, where the teenager Gortner experienced a crisis of conscience about his double life. He decided his performing talents might be put to better use as an actor or singer. When approached by documentarians, Howard Smith and Sarah Kernochan, he agreed to let their film crew follow him during 1971 tour of revival meetings in California, Texas, and Michigan. It was there, that he gave "backstage" interviews to the filmmakers between sermons and revivals, explaining intimate details of how he and other ministers operated, exposing that it was just a money scheming machine. The resulting film, Marjoe, won the 1972 Academy Award for best documentary. Being a controversial figure, Marjoe struggle to get good actors roles after the documentary. Marjoe Gortner was an unappealing main star even before this film and that hurts the film's success as not a lot of people bother, watching the TV special. Don't get me wrong, he's not the worst actor in the world, he's just mediocre. He does have some charm to his character, whenever he making good-natured jokes against the villains or trying to act the part of the preacher to the doubtful town folks. He does have a good pistol prowess that really make it seem like he would be a season gunslighter. There's was a cool duel halfway through the movie that you can't miss with a mysterious gunslighter (Geoffrey Lewis). I kinda wish Geoffrey Lewis was more in the film. His brief screen time was worth it. Probably the best part about the film. There are pretty good 'call to arms' speeches to the townfolks that Marjoe does that. With that you would think the citizens would rise up against Ross, but you'll be greatly disappointed. The town folks remain cowards throughout the film, until the end. They're probably the most annoying thing in the film. In my opinion, this movie is probably Marjoe's best role besides 1974's Earthquake. The movie is probably more famous now, for its supporting cast. Most of them would end up starring in Mel Brooks' master comedy 1974 hit, "Blazing Saddles". It's weird to see both Danny Huddleston and Slim Pickens in a serious western film. Danny Huddleston was great as the villain, but rarely used in the film. Nor was he was menacing. Slim Pickens stars as Ernie's right hand man, One-Eye Joe AKA Billy. He protects Ernie's secret. Like Danny Huddleson, Slim Pickens's talent was very overlook, here. Both characters could had stand out more. There's a romantic sub-plot between Parson Frank AKA Ernie and eighteen year old, Sally (Pamela Sue Martin) but in his preacher's garb can't seem to follow through on a move. While, Pamela Sue Martin is pretty as hell. The whole romantic sub-plot was a bit waste of time, and forced as hell. The main plot, while giving us nothing new, does work as a B-movie western film. It remind me so much of the 1975's God Gun. I just wish, it had that mysterious spirituous feel to his character after Ross's men thought they kill him. I would love the film makes Parson Frank look like somewhat a revengeful fallen angel out to get the gangs for their sinful acts. Sadly, we don't get that. While often clichés as hell, the movie does have enough meat of violence, love, and twist and turns to get us through the 74 minute run time. Sadly, the television made film had very little attention and end up being one of those films in the public domain, so beware of some of the video prints out there. The budget was so low, that they just reused the old set from 1939's Arizona, Old Tucson studios for filming. Any fan of Westerns, could see that, they didn't bother adding anything new to the location. Despite production values are definitely made-for-TV, the lord works in mysterious ways and it got made. Overall: it wasn't a bad movie. It could had been better. Sadly, my prayers wasn't answer.

wes-connors 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

Ed in St. Louis 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.

classicsoncall I picked up this flick as part of a double film DVD offer along with "The Hanged Man" for just a buck, and truth be told, both movies were a whole lot better than either had a right to be for the price. The title on this one was "The Gun and The Cross", close enough to the original to get the message across. The title character wields both, as Marjoe Gortner is revealed to be gunfighter Ernie Parsons, masquerading as a preacher after he finds a real one who was bushwhacked. Donning the clothes of the dead minister, he arrives at the town of Castle Walk just in time to help the local folk deal with nasty town boss Ross (David Huddleston). It's fairly formulaic, with nods to 1952's "High Noon" and 1973's "High Plains Drifter", along with a preview of 1985's "Pale Rider". However with it's own spin on things, it comes across both interesting and entertaining, particularly with the inclusion of Pamela Sue Martin as Gortner's love interest. Their scenes together are played both for romance and camp value, and I got a kick out of Sally (Martin) explaining how she wouldn't be the youngest widow in town if Parsons were to meet his demise.Along with the principals, you have some fine supporting players doing character portrayals you might have seen before; Slim Pickens as a sidekick of the preacher, Geoffrey Lewis as a hired gun, and Estelle Parsons, who starts out somewhat annoying as Sally's mom. but then settles down a bit to accept the preacher and his mission. The ending comes as just a bit of a surprise, and you have to fill in your own blanks as to the town's reaction, especially Sally's, when Gortner's character realizes Billy's (Pickens) advice is correct. Though it's not likely to show up on TV again, it wouldn't hurt to check out the bargain bins at your local store every now and then to see if this one turns up.