Uneven revivalist tale harmed by spotty acting and somewhat muddled message. But then the movie's a commercial product dealing with phony faith healing. Understandably, a message like that can't be made too offensive to believers. So key compromises aren't surprising.
Sweet young Angel (Jens) is encouraged by revivalist Strand (Hamilton) to overcome a disability and speak. She's been mute for years, apparently the result of childhood trauma. Strand doesn't claim to be a faith healer, so when Angel finally speaks, it's apparently resulting from group encouragement and not a "miracle". As a result, Jens is drawn to the charismatic Strand and his Godly way of life. Meanwhile, Strand recognizes her soft-spoken charisma and works her into his stage program. Trouble is his aging wife, Sara (McCambridge), gets jealous of the younger woman. So she maneuvers her into getting her own traveling tent show that Strand reluctantly agrees to.
However, Angel Baby's independent effort doesn't take off, limping along on the edge of failure. Then along comes a greedy businessman (Clark) who sees potential in her, but only if she converts from low-key preacher to angelic faith healer. Nonetheless, Angel's dubious, her religious scruples still intact. However, she's persuaded when--unknown to her-- he hires people to fake disabilities and then miraculously recover thanks to her apparent faith healing. He then exploits her success by selling a sideline of products to the crowds now coming to see her. Meanwhile, Strand is alerted to Angel's compromised status and comes to her moral rescue. The final episode leaves us unsure whether miracles really occur or are only momentary relief, probably the best conclusion for this commercial product.
To me, the best part of the production are the many faces of everyday people. No Hollywood and Vine here. In fact, there's no effort at glamorizing or even polishing the humble Southern surroundings. It's one of the more unvarnished productions of the period. Happily, Jens is excellent as the humble Angel, without an ounce of emoting. Hamilton too surprises as a fairly effective revivalist. However, the redoubtable Joan Blondell over-emotes in embarrassing fashion. I guess her ridiculous mugging is supposed to be comic relief. Nonetheless, it's that crowded cast that tends to scatter the narrative, thereby reducing overall impact. Anyway, given half-a-chance energetic rowdy Burt Reynolds almost steals the show in his first movie role.
The message I get is that revivalist preaching is fine, but faith healing is suspect. At the same time, the question of miraculous healing is finessed. All in all, the movie has its revealing moments, but lacks the impact of thematically similar Elmer Gantry (1960). However, unlike the latter, this spotty effort has since faded into obscurity. Nonetheless, those etched faces never fade.
Sweet young Angel (Jens) is encouraged by revivalist Strand (Hamilton) to overcome a disability and speak. She's been mute for years, apparently the result of childhood trauma. Strand doesn't claim to be a faith healer, so when Angel finally speaks, it's apparently resulting from group encouragement and not a "miracle". As a result, Jens is drawn to the charismatic Strand and his Godly way of life. Meanwhile, Strand recognizes her soft-spoken charisma and works her into his stage program. Trouble is his aging wife, Sara (McCambridge), gets jealous of the younger woman. So she maneuvers her into getting her own traveling tent show that Strand reluctantly agrees to.
However, Angel Baby's independent effort doesn't take off, limping along on the edge of failure. Then along comes a greedy businessman (Clark) who sees potential in her, but only if she converts from low-key preacher to angelic faith healer. Nonetheless, Angel's dubious, her religious scruples still intact. However, she's persuaded when--unknown to her-- he hires people to fake disabilities and then miraculously recover thanks to her apparent faith healing. He then exploits her success by selling a sideline of products to the crowds now coming to see her. Meanwhile, Strand is alerted to Angel's compromised status and comes to her moral rescue. The final episode leaves us unsure whether miracles really occur or are only momentary relief, probably the best conclusion for this commercial product.
To me, the best part of the production are the many faces of everyday people. No Hollywood and Vine here. In fact, there's no effort at glamorizing or even polishing the humble Southern surroundings. It's one of the more unvarnished productions of the period. Happily, Jens is excellent as the humble Angel, without an ounce of emoting. Hamilton too surprises as a fairly effective revivalist. However, the redoubtable Joan Blondell over-emotes in embarrassing fashion. I guess her ridiculous mugging is supposed to be comic relief. Nonetheless, it's that crowded cast that tends to scatter the narrative, thereby reducing overall impact. Anyway, given half-a-chance energetic rowdy Burt Reynolds almost steals the show in his first movie role.
The message I get is that revivalist preaching is fine, but faith healing is suspect. At the same time, the question of miraculous healing is finessed. All in all, the movie has its revealing moments, but lacks the impact of thematically similar Elmer Gantry (1960). However, unlike the latter, this spotty effort has since faded into obscurity. Nonetheless, those etched faces never fade.