The Celluloid Gospel Portfolio

Gospel Films Archive is a repository of lost and forgotten films that chronicle how the Bible and Christianity were presented to 20th century audiences through the medium of films and television. After years of collecting and restoring these rare Gospel films, Gospel Films Archive is in pre-production of a documentary to reintroduce them to the world.

This Celluloid Gospel Blog offers various topics and film samples that will be included  in the documentary. But first enjoy a trailer of the many films in the GFA archive:


The unknown, neglected religious films previewed in the GFA Trailer above are powerful examples of our Christian film heritage. Many of these historic films were crafted by talented Hollywood filmmakers expressly for Christian organizations. Other films with strong spiritual themes were produced by traditional studios for mainstream theatrical and television audiences. These vintage films reflect Biblical history and Christian ideology, while addressing topics that remain relevant to contemporary audiences.   

The films remain engaging and inspiring, and richly deserve to be rediscovered in the documentary currently in pre-production by the GFA team:


The Celluloid Gospel 
The Untold Story of 20th Century Christian Films

The Gospel Blimp

(1967, color) 37m. The Gospel Blimp is the famous 1960s classic comedy that chronicles the wild idea by a group of Christian neighbors to evangelize the whole town by buying a full-blown BLIMP air ship to spread the Gospel from on high. Everything goes haywire in a rollicking series of misadventures. Among their ill-conceived techniques is dropping Bible tracts like bombs on unwary victims and blasting Christian music so loud it pains the ears of citizens and induces dogs to howl. The film adaptation of Christian author Joseph Bayly's popular satire is a sly indictment of non-personal evangelism.



The DVD available from Gospel Films Archive at Christian Movie Classics includes two additional rare Christian shorts:

MR. BIG (1968, b/w) 28m. This imaginative tale of redemption concerns an arrogant wealthy businessman suddenly confronted by his prideful attitude following an arrest for drunken driving. “Mr. Big” is caught in a nightmare world that includes a Twilight Zone-style dream sequence where money and power have no influence. His cellmate, a former “Mr. Big” himself who has become a Christian, reaches out to share his faith in Christ. A cast of familiar Hollywood faces greatly enhances the experience. From Family Films.

FRONT PAGE BIBLE (1959, b/w) 28m. Leading businessmen oppose a young couple, who, after taking over a dying small town newspaper, crusade for local reforms by basing news on Biblical principles. The cast features veteran character actor Charles Lane. From Family Films.

Our sincere thanks to Movieguide for their enthusiastic review of THE GOSPEL BLIMP. Please click to read the review on their website. Thanks for sharing it!

CROSSROADS: "Broadway Trust"

Episode of the TV series CROSSROADS first aired on 11/11/1955. 

Lloyd Bridges plays an honest, hardworking bank clerk who embezzles money in a desperate attempt to pay his wife's hospital bills. With Gene Lockhart as his pastor, and Tina Carver. 

CROSSROADS is a TV anthology series based on true stories from clergy of different denominations. 78 episodes (1955-57) explored deep spiritual themes. It was shown on ABC to both secular and christian audiences the first season on Friday night following "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," and aired in syndication the second season.
 

Both IMDB and Wikipedia report that James Dean appears in a crowd scene or as an elevator operator. This seems unlikely since Dean died five weeks before the air date, and he would not have done such a cameo at the height of his career.

Learn more about the fascinating history of 20th century Christian films and filmmakers at gospelfilmsarchive.com. You can watch over 50 free films and TV shows that are streaming right now at Christian Movie Classics. You can also rent or purchase downloads of 33 other rare and little-known GFA Christian films and TV shows at Christian Cinema. 

A Moody Bible Adventure

KING AHAB - A Moody Bible Adventure 

Mr. Fixit is a masterful storyteller who uses Bible stories to counsel neighborhood kids who drop by his shop with burdens. He demonstrates from his trademark “Red Book” how someone in the Bible handled a similar situation to inspire the kids and portray practical truth. 

The "Moody Bible Adventures" were beautifully filmed in vivid color during the mid-1950s. Each of 26 quarter-hour episodes use live-action mixed with animation to teach a powerful lesson. 

Here is the very first episode, “KING AHAB” in which young Mike would prefer his buddy’s model helicopter rather than the new bike his parents gave him. Mr. Fixit tells Mike the story of King Ahab and illustrates how selfishness can lead to a bad outcome. 



Gospel Films Archive is endeavoring to restore, reissue and preserve the entire output of 20th century Christian filmmaking. More info is at the GFA website.

Many rare and vintage Christian films like this one are available for FREE screening (and no ads) at Christian Movie Classics.

The Blind Beggar of Jerusalem

"The Blind Beggar of Jerusalem" is a 1945 Cathedral Films Production by the Rev. James K. Friedrich and directed by John T. Coyle. 

In this story from the New Testament, the blind beggar gains his sight when Jesus anoints his eyes with mud and commands that he "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam." The beggar, no longer blind, is examined by the Temple high priests who attempt to discredit the power of Jesus by demanding the beggar deny the miracle. Jesus is portrayed by actor Nelson Leigh, who plays St. Paul in Cathedral Film's brilliant 12-part "The Life of St. Paul" series.

Gospel Films Archive is endeavoring to restore, reissue and preserve the entire output of 20th century Christian filmmaking, and currently is concentrating on restoring the Cathedral Films library. More info is at the GFA website: gospelfilmsarchive.com.

Celebrity Actors in GFA films

Since movies began, familiar Hollywood faces have contributed remarkable performances in faith-based films. Many appeared in TV episodes of "Crossroads" and "The Christophers," while others made non-commercial films for Cathedral Films, Family Films and similar producers. These films included stories from the Bible, parables of modern Christians facing contemporary problems and missionary work around the world. They were often used in church and Sunday School discussion groups.

Here are 14 brief clips featuring these 18 celebrated actors:

Jack Benny // William Holden
Anne Blyth // Bob Hope
James Cagney // Dick Jones
Mike Connors // DeForest Kelley
Bing Crosby // James Mason
Angie Dickinson // Jerry Mathers
Paul Douglas // Margaret O'Brien
Irene Dunne // Gale Storm
Peter Graves // Loretta Young
Vincent Price // Michael Landon

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Cathedral Films' THE LIVING CHRIST Series

THE LIVING CHRIST Series Production Trailer

Gospel Films Archive has uncovered this rare 11-min production trailer for Cathedral Films excellent twelve-part mini-series "The Living Christ." Pioneer Christian filmmaker Rev. James K. Friedrich and his talented team at Cathedral Films created this ambitious 12-part series of half-hour episodes for church and television audiences. Filmed in color between 1951 and 1957, the anthology dramatizes a true-to-scriptures account of the Life of Jesus Christ - His birth, boyhood, teachings and ministry, death and resurrection.

The series faithfully depicts all key characters and events in the life of the Son of God. Actor Robert Wilson's portrayal of Christ was highly regarded by film critics and audiences alike. Wilson portrayed the role again in both Cathedral's "I Beheld His Glory" (1953) and "Day of Triumph" (1954).

All 12 episodes of "The Living Christ" can be watched for free and with no ads at Christian Movie Classics.

Gospel Films Archive is working with Rev. James K. Friedrich's son to restore, reissue and preserve the entire Cathedral Films archive of shorts, docs and features films. You can read more about this project at the GFA WEBSITE.