Pass the Ammo (1988)

A corrupt television preacher and his congregation are held hostage by a woman, her lover, and her two cousins in an attempt to avenge the theft of her inheritance. A quirky look at the ... See full summary »

Director:

David Beaird

Writers:

Joel Cohen, Neil Cohen

Stars:

Bill Paxton, Linda Kozlowski, Tim Curry

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Paxton	...	Jesse Wilkes
Linda Kozlowski	...	Claire
Tim Curry	...	Rev. Ray Porter
Annie Potts	...	Darla
Dennis Burkley	...	Big Joe Becker
Glenn Withrow	...	Arnold Limpet
Anthony Geary	...	Stonewall
Brian Thompson	...	Kenny Hamilton
Logan Ramsey	...	Jim Bob Collins
Leland Crooke	...	Sheriff Rascal Lebeaux
Jim Holmes	...	Governor
Richard Paul	...	G.W. Wraith
John Cody	...	Billy
Paul Cody	...	Dean
Debra Sue Maffett	...	Miss Dallas

Storyline

A corrupt television preacher and his congregation are held hostage by a woman, her lover, and her two cousins in an attempt to avenge the theft of her inheritance. A quirky look at the dishonesty of the televangelist industry.

---

Plot Keywords:

preacher | televangelist | network | satire | ministry | 

---

Taglines:

Praise the Lord and...

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Dios rogando... y a los fieles timando

Filming Locations:

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$169,785

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Vista Organisation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the film's leading couple are often presumed to be a send-up of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, the televangelists' scandal didn't erupt until 5 days before filming was completed.

---

Goofs

It is never revealed the fifth robber's fate after the shootout with a police officer.

---

Quotes

Sheriff Rascal Lebeaux: It's a damn shame them kids had to die.

---

Connections

Spoofs The P.T.L. Club (1976)

---

Soundtracks

You're a Policeman
Music by Jim Cushinery
Performed by Dennis Burkley

User Reviews

"That's one million dollars for Jesus."

With a cast like this attached (Bill Paxton, Tim Curry, Linda Kozlowski, Glenn Withrow, Annie Potts, Anthony Geary and Brian Thompson decking a flowing mullet), I'm surprised to see this comedy to be somewhat of a under-seen cult item which is a mildly humorous spoof on televangelism. Sing it, hallelujah. Praise the lord! Jessie and Claire along with two other friends go into a ministry to rob it, because Claire's inheritance went to the church but they accidentally stumble upon the ministry's live TV set while trying to flee. So they end up holding those inside to ransom, while the cops wait outside and many viewers watch on. The cast are just great. Curry is simply sensational as the smooth talking TV reverend (who makes a memorable first appearance) and so is an over zealous Potts as his eccentric wife. Then you have the likes of Paxton and Kozlowski as the buoyant young couple. Geary is also quite fun as a free-spirited member of studio crew and Leland Crooke as the level-headed sheriff. The zany plot is a basic standoff, but it's the cleverly scathing script that makes good use of the situation to parody these showy religious outings filled with glitz to cover the underlining corruptness. It's a sideshow with over-the-top antics (especially when some gun toting rednecks and the national army gets involved) and neon qualities, as characters open up and America watches on. You'll be glued to the screen.

"Jesus doesn't live in a TV studio. He lives in my heart".