Angel Baby (1961)

In his film debut, Burt Reynolds vies with George Hamilton for the love of one heavenly woman. In the American South, evangelist Paul Strand (Hamilton) meets a beautiful, young mute named ... See full summary »

Directors:

Paul Wendkos, Hubert Cornfield (uncredited)

Writers:

Elsie Oakes Barber (novel), Orin Borsten

Stars:

George Hamilton, Mercedes McCambridge, Joan Blondell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George Hamilton	...	Paul Strand
Mercedes McCambridge	...	Sarah Strand
Joan Blondell	...	Mollie Hays
Henry Jones	...	Ben Hays
Burt Reynolds	...	Hoke Adams
Salome Jens	...	Angel Baby
Roger Clark	...	Sam Wilcox
Dudley Remus	...	Otis Finch
R.L. Armstrong	...	The Shanty Man
Harry Swoger	...	Big Cripple
Eddie Firestone	...	Blind Man
Victoria Adams	...	Ma Brooks
Barbara Biggart	...	Farm girl
Bert Williams	...	The Killer
Theodore Lehmann	...	Willis Ferguson

Storyline

In his film debut, Burt Reynolds vies with George Hamilton for the love of one heavenly woman. In the American South, evangelist Paul Strand (Hamilton) meets a beautiful, young mute named Jenny, affectionately known as Angel Baby. When Paul prays for her, Jenny's voice miraculously returns ... and the two fall in love, sparking jealousy in Paul's older wife and Jenny's predatory lover (Reynolds). With Paul and Sarah quarreling furiously, Jenny leaves as a traveling evangelist and starts to believe that she possesses divine healing powers. But does she...?

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Plot Keywords:

bare chested male | hairy chest | violence | spiritual healing | small town | 

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Taglines:

Is She Sin Fighter...Or Wanton Delilah?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming the cast stayed in Coral Gables at the University Court Motel, which was then across Hwy 1 from the University of Miami.

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Goofs

When Paul is loading the truck after the first tent revival meeting, a shadow of the boom microphone is visible on the back of the truck.

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Quotes

Sarah Strand: The Lord is the healer of the afflicted. If ye have faith, ye shall be cured.

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Soundtracks

Jenny Angel
Music and lyrics by Wayne Shanklin
Performed by George Hamilton during the end credits

User Reviews

Inspiring

About 1970 friends and I were on our way back to Sydney following a 2-weel driving vacation to Queensland. We stopped overnight in the small 'bush' town of Bourke (New South Wales). It was there we set up camp for the night and then decided to seek out a movie theater. We found such a theater in a beautiful outdoor garden setting . . .I can't recall its name.

Anyway, the movie showing that night was 'Angel Baby' which we hadn't heard about before. I remember the title not appealing to me at all but the theater setting was gorgeous as well as the night itself. The three of us (me, a friend and 11 year-old Peter) positioned ourselves on blankets on the lawn. Then, for the first time, we saw 'Angel Baby'. It impacted greatly on the 3 of us and we thought about it and talked about it for weeks after. We couldn't get out of our minds the miraculous healing of the cripple boy at the movie's conclusion.

Years later I became a Christian and had the opportunity to see that movie again on TV just a couple of years ago. I'd love to be able to thank the movie cast and particularly Salome Jens for having inspired me (us) back in 1970 and even today. Thanks!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Angel Baby

Filming Locations:

Republic Studios - 4024 Radford Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madera Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1