Sadly, due to decades of entertainment industry and new media resistance to black & white and dated content, entire archives of relevant and inspiring films and TV shows have disappeared while many more sit languishing in private film collections and public archives.
These films have retained their power to creatively and effectively fulfill the Bible admonition to communicate the Gospel to the world. They have the capacity to reach potentially millions of souls worldwide who will find the content refreshing and inspiring.
Many films and TV shows included in Gospel Films Archive were crafted by some of Hollywood’s most talented and prestigious producers, directors, writers, actors and technicians expressly for Christian denominational organizations and faith-based groups. Other films tell engaging stories with strong spiritual themes and were produced by traditional motion picture studios and television networks primarily for secular audiences.
Many films and TV shows included in Gospel Films Archive were crafted by some of Hollywood’s most talented and prestigious producers, directors, writers, actors and technicians expressly for Christian denominational organizations and faith-based groups. Other films tell engaging stories with strong spiritual themes and were produced by traditional motion picture studios and television networks primarily for secular audiences.
The goal of Gospel Films Archive is to acquire, restore, package and widely promote perpetual access to as many of these inspired lost and rare films and TV shows as we possibly can.
As the foundation upon which to build Gospel Films Archive, the GFA team has already located and acquired over 100 inspiring Gospel films in original 16mm film format. Many are considered lost or not known to exist even to the most ardent of film enthusiasts and historians. And we have access to 100s more worthy titles awaiting acquisition once the archive is funded and established.
Gospel Films Archive is the inspiration of three venerable classic film industry professionals. Bob Campbell was co-creator and producer of the successful 1980s PBS series Matinee at the Bijou. Ron Hall is the founder and owner of Festival Films and Derek Myers is founder and owner of Myers Memories.
These three project principals work in collaboration with a worldwide network of professional and private film collectors. We are experts in content licensing and public domain film content and have been active in the classic film industry from the outset of home video in the 1970s.
Funds contributed to Gospel Films Archive will be used to:
· Transfer the films to digital Hi-Def with restoration and color correction where necessary.
· Organize the films into topical collections, package and distribute them as widely as possible.
· Create a Pilot episode that thematically incorporates the films into a TV series called Gospel Films Showcase, that is introduced by a celebrity host who will put each film into historical context. We expect Gospel Films Showcase will find great appeal among Christian TV networks and potentially as a Sunday morning inspirational series for secular networks like ME-TV and THIS-TV that recreate 1950s and 60s television experiences.
· Acquire more titles!
Here are scenes from 10 films of faith, family and inspiration followed by content descriptions for these and other relevant Gospel-inspired films that, with your help, will be restored to digital hi-def in advance of widespread distribution following success of our Indiegogo campaign.
Man in the 5th Dimension (1964, Color) World Wide Pictures. This historic masterpiece was originally shown at the Billy Graham Pavilion of the 1964 New York World’s Fair on a huge screen in Todd-AO 70MM. Magnificently produced with a brilliant narrative delivered with conviction and passion by the Reverend Billy Graham.
A Link in the Chain (1957) A Christopher Film. James Cagney (who rarely did TV) brilliantly portrays a retiring professor who learns (in flashbacks) just how relevant he was to his students. In this Frank Capra-esque tear-jerker Cagney portrays his character at three different ages in life and includes a poignant death scene in the finale.
Fire on the Heather (1956, Color) World Wide Pictures. This recently uncovered rare docudrama is narrated by actor Donald Crisp who relates the story of three key historical figures that influenced the introduction of Christianity in Scotland: Saint Columba, John Knox (leader of the 17th century Scottish Reformation) and Scottish martyr John Brown. It was exquisitely filmed by Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures unit during young Graham's 1955 Scotland Crusade.
Almost Neighbors (1965) The National Council of Churches of Christ. A dramatic look at racial tensions between social classes in America poses the provocative question “As Christ died for all mankind, what are we living for.” Former child star Margaret O’Brien co-stars.
All That I Have (1951) Family Films. All-star cast includes Donald Woods, Houseley Stevenson and Tom Neal in a film about the relevance of thoughtful Christian stewardship. Heirs-to-be of a wealthy elderly surgeon challenge his competency in court over recent gifts of large amounts of cash seemingly given to strangers.
I Don’t Want to Get Involved (1964) Family Films. The mission of the Church in the 20th century is questioned by veteran newsman Clete Roberts in this compelling documentary that exams the vicious 1964 murder in Queens, NY of Kitty Genovese in front of 38 bystanders who later claimed they simply “Didn’t want to get involved.”
This My Son (1954, Color) Family Films. Former child star Dickie Jones has a grown-up role in this modern day interpretation of the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15. Fine acting and production values enhance this fine film made for the Southern Baptist Convention in 1954. (This is the only known color version.)
You Can Change the World (1954) A Christopher Film. Hollywood stars gather at Jack Benny's house a decade after WWII to hear Father James Keller tell how each of us can change the world for the better. The film features Bing Crosby (who sings "Young American"), Bob Hope, Loretta Young, William Holden, Irene Dunne, Jack Benny, Rochester, Ann Blyth and Paul Douglas.
Thine is the Kingdom (1935) Affiliated Film Distributors. This previously lost film is the first motion picture to present both Old and New Testament Bible stories from the Garden of Eden to Noah to the birth of Christ and the Resurrection.
The Greatest Gift (1954) Lutheran Church. A rare episode of the Lutheran Television series "This is the Life" presents The Fisher Family with Onslow Stevens and Forest Tucker in a family Christmas story.
No Greater Power (1942) Cathedral Films. This historical dramatization about Zaccheus the tax collector was shot by veteran cinematographer John Alton (Elmer Gantry) and is notable for its effective use of light and shadow, most notably when Jesus is strongly backlit giving a halo effect.
Star of Bethlehem (1954) Portland Productions. This previously lost film was produced, directed and stars James Mason, his wife, daughter and other child actors. Mason first reads from the bible early sections that lead up to the birth of Jesus and then visits his daughter in her bedroom, followed by an imagination of the Nativity featuring a cast of children playing adult roles. Leave it to Beaver’s Jerry Mathers plays Joseph.
Three Young Kings (1956) Telephone Time. Thomas Mitchell introduces the story of three young boys given the responsibility of carrying Christmas gifts to a mission church in the costumes of the Three Wise Men.
Christmas is Magic (1953) TV Special. This is the Christmas episode of a TV anthology series called Your Jeweler's Showcase. A WW-2 war vet (Robert Hutton) with amnesia meets a widow (Frances Rafferty) and her 8-year-old son on Christmas Eve. Miracles happen!
Starlight Night (1939) British. Superb dramatization of the inspiration and creation of the Christmas carol “Silent Night” centers on a stern father estranged from his daughter.
I Beheld His Glory (1953, color) Cathedral Films. This 1953 production was filmed in color for TV broadcast during Easter week for the TV anthology series Family Theater. The story is told in flashback by Cornelius, a Roman Centurion played by veteran actor George Macready.
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Among many premiums we have for Indiegogo contributors, in addition to several DVD collections of selected films described above, is a specially prepared DVD containing 6 of our Gospel Film Archives Christmas films. Here is a preview:
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