Hoodlum Priest (1961)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Irvin Kershner

Writers:

Joseph Landon (writer)
Don Murray (writer)

Release Date:

26 March 1961 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on the life of Fr. Charles Clark, a minister to street gangs. |

Plot Keywords:

Hoodlum | Gas Chamber | Execution | Shirtless Male Bondage | Independent Film

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Don Murray	...	Father Charles Dismas Clark
Larry Gates	...	Louis Rosen
Cindi Wood	...	Ellen Henley
Keir Dullea	...	Billy Lee Jackson
Logan Ramsey	...	George Hale
Don Joslyn	...	Pio Gentile
Sam Capuano	...	Mario Mazziotti
Vince O'Brien	...	Assistant District Attorney
Al Mack	...	Judge Garrity
Lou Martini	...	Angelo Mazziotri
Norman McKay	...	Father Dunne
Joseph Cusanelli	...	Hector Sterne
Bill Atwood	...	Weasel
Roger Ray	...	Detective Shattuck
William Warford

Also Known As:

The Hoodlum Priest (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound)

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Filming Locations:

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Company:

Murray-Wood Productions

Trivia:

Concerned that the critics would not be kind to an actor appearing in a film he wrote, DON MURRAY penned the screenplay under the pseudonym "Don Deer", his nickname as a track and field athlete in High school (Rockaway, NY).

Powerful film that stays in my mind

I first saw this film on T.V. when I was around 12 years old. It made a lasting and powerful impression. I remember actually sobbing at the end. The performances by both Don Murray and Keir Dullea were riveting. I've always been sorry that both actors had only a handful of truly great roles to play because they were/are capable of much more than they have been allowed to show us. Whenever I notice this film is appearing on T.V., I usually tune in. If you've never seen it or haven't seen it for a long time, watch for a chance to view it. I think you'll be moved by it.