A Man Called Peter
by Henry Koster
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jean Peters, Jill Esmond, Les Tremayne, Marjorie Rambeau, Richard ToddDirector: Henry Koster
Brand: Fox
Cinematographer: Harold Lipstein
Editor: Robert L. Simpson
Producer: Samuel G. Engel
Writer: Catherine Marshall
Writer: Eleanore Griffin
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 2.55:1
Running Time: 119 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-09-06
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of A Man Called Peter
Movie Review: Sweet, Stirring, and Compelling
Summary: 5 Stars
This award-winning 1955 film version of Catherine Marshall's 1951 best-selling tribute to her late husband--whose untimely demise in 1949 was the first to rattle the U.S. Capitol since the death of President Franklin Roosevelt less than four years earlier-- is recreated with a poignancy, warmth, and reverence that was the standard for religious films of that era. Noticeably, though, the orchestration, especially in some scenes, has been used in other productions by Fox.
Ironically, and amusingly, the DVD cover features Richard Todd wearing a clerical collar whereas it is noted in the film that Dr. Marshall never wore one.
The film begins with a brief overview of Peter Marshall's early life in Scotland, where a rebellious young Peter (Peter Votrian) is brought home in humiliation after his third attempt to stowaway on a ship. He is berated by his stepfather(Ben Wright) but lovingly consoled and advised by his mother (Jill Esmond, whose acting abilities in two brief scenes prove her to have equalled her ex-husband, Laurence Olivier).
Under Henry Koster's direction, many episodes of Dr. Marshall's life are touched upon but not fully detailed, although certain physical details, such as Peter's green station wagon and Catherine's Sunday attire are noted. With the use of fictionalized composite characters, we come to know the kind of people the young Presbyterian minister influenced after coming to America.
As Dr. Marshall, Richard Todd is charming, spirited, sweet, and charismatic, and what he may have lacked in physical resemblance to Dr. Marshall, he more than made up for in capturing his enthusiasm for life, and that constant twinkle from piercing blue eyes.
When delivering altered versions of Marshall's sermons, Todd's pitch is higher than the real Dr. Marshall's, but his brogue is dead-on, and he speaks with a spark of divine fire that still inspires to this day.
Having read the book, I pay attention to the rearrangement of certain episodes and quotations, but notice the authenticity of many locales.
A lovely Jean Peters plays Catherine, whose first appearance in the movie is as a college student attending a service conducted by her husband-to-be. Having wanted to meet him for two years, she impresses him when she uses his words at a youth rally to reprimand young women for the misuse of their newly won rights and priviledges. If anything could have been added, it might have been the fact that Catherine was a daughter of the Manse herself. But this film leads one to believe that her husband was her only spiritual influence.
A pre-"Brady Bunch" era, Ann B. Davis has a cameo as Marshall's secretary, Ruby Coleman.
The Marshall's courtship and marriage are reviewed, although their actual honeymoon took place in Scotland, rather than Cape Cod.
Soon, the main chapter of Marshall's life unfolds as he becomes the Pastor of the prestigious New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the "Church of the Presidents".
The Marshalls meet their main parishioners at an evening gathering at a trustee's house. A strikingly pretty Gloria Gordon plays Barbara, who personifies the many young people Marshall inspired; Gladys Hurlbut's Mrs. Peyton is the comic relief who represents a compliant society woman willing to embrace the new young immigrant minister, but who still feels compelled to acknowledge the dismay of her friend Laura Fowler, who disapproves of the changes Marshall makes to the character and structure of the church. As Laura Fowler, Marjorie Rambeau portrays an old woman who has difficulty accepting change and the fact that the church is God's house, designed to address the needs of all His children, rather than an exclusive club.
We later meet Senator Willis K. Harvey (Les Tremayne, whose voice I remember from Looney Tunes cartoon narrations), for whom Marshall becomes a confidante.
Two events of Marshall's life--the birth of his son, and his formidable-spur-of the-moment altercation of his address for the Annapolis Naval Academy's graduating class--take place on December 7, 1941, although there was nearly two year's difference between them.
The church of the Presidents soon alters to meet the social and spiritual needs of Wartime America. But the Marshalls face personal crises on the homefront, when either of the couple become seriously ill on two different occassions and their faith and that of those who love them, is sorely tested.
Marshall is elected to the U.S. Senate chaplaincy after his recovery from a coronary thrombosis. This time at the height of his power is also briefly touched upon, representative of the brevity of Marshall's own life.
The film gives the Marshalls one last joyous outing together before tragedy strikes, and Peter expresses gratitude for his small part in the Capitol's history.
Catherine and her son (Billy Chapin)are given the strength to go on with their lives, and we leave them enjoying a day at sea as their husband and father did, which is what he would have wanted.
Summary of A Man Called Peter
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