Aimee Semple McPherson (2006)

Director:

Richard Rossi

Writer:

Richard Rossi (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes the greatest battle is between flesh and spirit.

Plot:

A feature film about the life of Aimee Semple McPherson, the famed evangelist of the 1920s.

Plot Keywords:

Healing | Charlie Chaplin | Faith | Christian | Character Name In Title

Cast

Mimi Michaels	...	Aimee Semple McPherson
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Laura Anderson	...	Leita Mae
Carl Ballantine	...	Realtor in China
Teres Byrne	...	Minnie Kennedy
Kiera Chaplin	...	Myrtle Ste. Pierre
Barbara Kerr Condon	...	Sister Maria
Angela de Malignon	...	Speakeasy dancer
Jennifer Etienne Eckert	...	Emma Shaffer (as Etienne Eckert)
Joe Gonzalez	...	Ralph Jordan
Charles Gorgano	...	Asa Keyes
Melissa Greenfield	...	Louise Weick
JoAnn Green	...	Waitress
Rance Howard	...	James Kennedy
Charles Hoyes	...	Harold McPherson
Anjenique Hughes	...	Sister Susannah
Rex Kerr	...	Bartender
Brandy Maddox	...	Rosalee
David Mattey	...	The Enforcer
Obren Milanovic	...	Blind Man
Michael Minor	...	Kenneth Ormiston
Chad Nadolski	...	Robert Semple
Roy O'Reilly	...	Judge
Louis Pastore	...	Barker
Linda Pitak	...	Speakeasy Dancer
Joshua Rossi	...	Rolf McPherson
Karis Rossi	...	Roberta Salter
Richard Rossi	...	David Hutton
Sherrie Rossi	...	Juror
Laurie Shaw	...	Reba Crawford
Jenny Tallent	...	Sister Jane
Randy Toews	...	Defense Attorney
Suzanne Tsai	...	Aimee's Chinese Housekeeper
Jose Vega	...	Mexican Man
Selah Victor	...	Lulu
Laura Voethe	...	Mrs. Brooks

Also Known As:

Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, brief language and smoking.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Richard Rossi Productions

Trivia:

Richard Rossi was offered the lead in a remake of Elmer Gantry (1960) but decided the 1960 film was a classic that should not be remade. Since Elmer Gantry (1960) was inspired by Aimee McPherson, he decided to do the true historical story and focus on Aimee McPherson as the lead.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When the D.A. gives his opening statement in Sister Aimee's trial, there is a large map on the wall behind him that clearly says, "Kern County, California." Her trial took place in Los Angeles County. Richard Rossi was given free use of a courthouse in Bakersfield (Kern County) by a judge who was kindly disposed toward the project and allowed free shooting on a Saturday.

Quotes:

David Hutton: I'll show Sister Aimee heaven all night long.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Disappearance of Aimee (#26.1)" (1976)

miracle movie

I just saw at industry screening in Hollywood, and Rossi's question and answer time was as interesting and compelling as this powerful film. This film about faith was made on faith, often Rossi showed up on set trusting someone would show up with film, food or whatever he needed. In each case, people would arrive saying, "God told me to bring you food, props, film, cameras." It is the most astonishing tale of a low budget project miraculously coming together since "El Mariachi."

There's more info on this at the film's official website, www.aimeesemplemcphersonmovie.com

Rossi's honesty about his life and personal struggles was equally moving. He made this movie because he had to, and that kind of love and vulnerability is why this film is so deeply effective in creating sympathy for the lead character.