Stars in My Crown

Surprisingly, not sappy, or overbearing. In fact, quite believable and inspirational.

I saw this movie when I was eight years old. It's dramatic affirmation of social justice, solidarity and creativity in turning around a mob has been a precious part of my life ever since. Though I forgot most of it, the scene of reading the "will" which led to the lynch leader throwing down the rope has been etched in my memory. I was active in my local church and believe this was the first time it became clear to me that faith meant standing up for justice in a calm, courageous and heartelt was that could call forth the bes in a very violent and greedy man. This film was an address on its time, and even more so an inspriation for ours.

A bit of racial undertones set up this feel good family flick. It was a bit contrived, but has its moments.

At first, I thought this was just another John Ford-esque tale of small town American life in the inner West, but gradually its folksy charms and dark realities won me over. Joel McCrea is the Parson who comes to Walsburg after the Civil War to build community; he takes a wife (Ellen Drew) and together they raise a young orphan (Dean Stockwell) who narrates the tale. We are treated to numerous anecdotes from the town's life but the major plot threads involve 1) the gruff young doctor who conflicts with the Parson over how to treat the typhoid epidemic that attacks the town; and 2) the old sharecropper whose property stands in the way of the town's mining interests and who is confronted one dark night by the KKK. Mostly though, this is a gentle, affectionate picture with human characters who may or may not believe in God but do believe in having a strong sense of community. Whether or not the world was ever like this, it does seem a shame when it's gone.

Wonderful, inspirational unsung masterpiece The story of a preacher in a small town in the United States, circa 1870s: his interactions with the townsfolk, ups and downs, trials and tribulations. On the surface, a western. Even the preacher brandishes six-shooters (initially)! However it is soon obvious that it is more than that. It is a wonderful look at a small town, how its citizens bond together, how some try to take advantage of others, how they have fun and how they deal with adverse events. A study of a much more innocent and idyllic time. Throw in some great life lessons and other inspirational morals, and you have a fantastic, emotional, heart-warming story.

Nice heartwarming bit of Americana about pastor Joel McCrea starting up a church in a small western town. The story is told in an episodic manner by Dean Stockwell's character as an adult, but the characters are nicely developed in a well rounded story. Ed Begley, James Arness also appear in the film, as well as Alan Hale in his final film role. The great Jacques Tourneur directed.

A fine example of an old-fashioned heartwarming family film.

A heartwarming story beautifully filmed

I haven't seen a bad Tourneur movie yet, and this is one of my favorites of his. <3

Only one of the best films I've ever seen. Shows again Thursday night at the Belcourt. Otherwise, only available through Warner Archives, made-to-order. Might even be Jacques Tourneur's finest achievement - which, coming from the guy who made Out of the Past, The Leopard Man, I Walked With A Zombie, and Night/Curse of the Demon - is no small feat.