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Hubert Prior Vallée (July 28, 1901[1] – July 3, 1986),[2] known professionally as Rudy Vallée, was an American singer, saxophonist, bandleader, actor, and entertainer. He was the first male singer to rise from local radio broadcasts in New York City to national popularity as a "crooner". Early life Hubert Prior Vallée was born in Island Pond, Vermont, on July 28, 1901,[1] the son of Catherine Lynch and Charles Alphonse Vallée. His maternal grandparents were English and Irish, while his paternal grandparents were French Canadians from Quebec. Vallée grew up in Westbrook, Maine. On March 29, 1917, he enlisted in the US Navy in Portland, Maine to fight in World War I, but authorities discovered he was only 15 years old and had given the false birth date of July 28, 1899. He was discharged at the Naval Training Station in Newport, Rhode Island, on May 17, 1917, after 41 days of active service.[citation needed] Career Music Rudy Vallée, c. 1929 After playing drums in his high school band, Vallée played clarinet and saxophone in bands around New England as a teenager. The popularity of the saxophone and an unexpected reply from his idol Wiedoeft prompted Vallée to perfect his technique. He paid Columbia Records to make four "personal records", which he used for audition purposes with a number of bands. From 1924 to 1925, he played with the Savoy Havana Band at the Savoy Hotel in London, where band members discouraged his attempts to become a vocalist.[3] He returned to the United States, briefly attending the University of Maine. While at the University of Maine, he initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity on December 5, 1921. He transferred to Yale University in 1924, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1927. As a Yale student he led the football band and was the lead saxophonist in the Yale Collegians with Peter Arno, who became a cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine.[4] After graduation, he formed Rudy Vallée and the Connecticut Yankees, having named himself after saxophonist Rudy Wiedoeft.[5] With this band (formed in 1928),[6] which included two violins, two saxophones, a piano, a banjo, and drums, he began singing as a member of a trio and as a soloist. He had a thin, wavering tenor voice and seemed more at home singing sweet ballads than jazz songs. But his singing, saxophone playing, and the innovative arrangements he wrote for his band attracted attention from a rapidly increasing number of listeners, especially from young women.[7] In 1928 he started performing on the radio, first at New York station WABC, leading his Yale Collegians Orchestra,[8] and then on WEAF and the NBC Red Network beginning in February 1929.[9] Vallée megaphone crafted in between shows at the New York Palace in May 1929 He became one of the first crooners.[7] Singers needed strong voices to fill theaters in the days before microphones. Crooners had soft voices that were suited to the intimacy of radio; the microphones, in this case, promoted direct access to "a vulnerable and sensuous interior," or in other words, "a conjured intimacy".[10] Vallée was one of the first celebrity radio vocalists.[7] Flappers pursued him wherever he went.[7] His live appearances were usually sold out. Contrary to popular belief, he did not have screaming girls at his appearances. However, his voice still failed to project in venues without microphones and amplification, so he often sang through a megaphone, a device he had used when leading the Yale football band. A caricature of him singing this way was depicted in the Betty Boop cartoon Poor Cinderella (1934).[11] Another caricature is in Crosby, Columbo, and Vallee, which parodies him, Bing Crosby, and Russ Columbo. In the words of a magazine writer in 1929, At the microphone he is truly a romantic figure. Faultlessly attired in evening dress, he pours softly into the radio's delicate ear a stream of mellifluous melody. He appears to be coaxing, pleading and at the same time adoring the invisible one to whom his song is attuned.[12] Vallée had his share of detractors as well as fans when his popularity was at its height. Radio Revue, a radio fan magazine, held a contest in which people wrote letters explaining his success. The winning letter, written by a man who disliked Vallée's music, said, "Rudy Vallee is reaping the harvest of a seed that is seldom sown this day and age: LOVE. The good-looking little son-of-a-gun really and honestly LOVES his audience and his art. He LOVES to please listeners—LOVES it more than he does his name in the big lights, his mug in the papers. He loved all those unseen women as passionately as a voice can love, long before they began to purr and to caress him with two-cent stamps."[13] Vallée made his first commercial recordings in 1928 for Columbia's low-priced labels Harmony, Velvet Tone, and Diva. He signed with RCA Victor in February 1929 and remained with the company through 1931, leaving after a heated dispute with executives over song selections. He then recorded for the short-lived Hit of the Week label which sold rather poor quality records laminated onto a cardboard base. In August 1932, he signed with Columbia and remained with the label through 1933. Vallée returned to RCA Victor in June 1933; his records were initially issued on Victor's low-priced Bluebird label until November 1933, when he was back on the standard Victor label. He remained with RCA Victor until signing with ARC in 1936. ARC issued his records on the Perfect, Melotone, Conqueror and Romeo labels until 1937, when he again returned to RCA Victor. With his group the Connecticut Yankees, Vallée's best-known recordings include "The Stein Song" (a.k.a. University of Maine school song) in 1929[14] and "Vieni, Vieni" in the latter 1930s. His last hit record was a reissue of "As Time Goes By", popularized in the 1942 film Casablanca. Due to the 1942-44 AFM recording ban, RCA Victor reissued the version he had recorded in 1931.[15] During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to help direct the 11th district Coast Guard band as a Chief Petty Officer. He was promoted to Lieutenant and led the 40 piece band to great success. In 1944, he was placed on the inactive list and returned to radio.[16] According to George P. Oslin, Vallée on July 28, 1933, was the recipient of the first singing telegram. A fan telegraphed birthday greetings, and Oslin had the operator sing "Happy Birthday to You".[17][18][19] Radio and film Rudy Vallée on The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour in 1933. He always signed on saying, "Heigh-ho, everybody!" In 1929, Vallée began hosting The Fleischmann's Yeast Hour,[20] a popular radio show with guests such as Fay Wray and Richard Cromwell in dramatic skits. Vallée continued hosting radio shows such as the Royal Gelatin Hour, Vallee Varieties, and The Rudy Vallee Show through the 1930s and 1940s. Vallée as bandleader Skip Houston in Sweet Music When Vallée took his contractual vacations from his national radio show in 1937, he insisted his sponsor hire Louis Armstrong as his substitute.[21] This was the first instance of an African-American hosting a national radio program. Vallée wrote the introduction for Armstrong's 1936 book Swing That Music. In 1929, Vallée made his first feature film, The Vagabond Lover, for RKO Radio. His first films were made to cash in on his singing popularity. While his initial performances were rather wooden, his acting greatly improved in the late 1930s and 1940s, and by the time he began working with Preston Sturges in the 1940s, he had become a successful comedic supporting player. He appeared opposite Claudette Colbert in Sturges's classic 1942 screwball comedy The Palm Beach Story. Other films in which he appeared include I Remember Mama, Unfaithfully Yours and The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer. In 1955, Vallée was featured in Gentlemen Marry Brunettes, co-starring Jane Russell, Alan Young, and Jeanne Crain. The production was filmed on location in Paris. The film was based on the Anita Loos novel that was a sequel to her acclaimed Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Gentlemen Marry Brunettes was popular throughout Europe at the time and was released in France as A Paris Pour les Quatre ("Paris for the Four"), and in Belgium as Tevieren Te Parijs. Vallée performed on Broadway as J.B. Biggley in the 1961 musical How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and reprised the role in the 1967 film version.[22] He appeared in the 1960s Batman television series as the villain Lord Marmaduke Ffogg and in 1971 as a vindictive surgeon in the Night Gallery episode "Marmalade Wine".[23] Vallee-Video From 1948 to 1952, Vallée owned Vallee-Video, a television production company formed in the early days of national TV broadcasts. The company was incorporated on April 3, 1948.[24] Vallée made 16mm film shorts for television, including These Foolish Things and Under a Campus Moon, in which he appeared himself. Ed Wynn, Pinky Lee, Buddy Lester and Cyril Smith also appeared in Vallee-Video productions.[25] Comedy sequences in the productions featured dubbed-in laughter.[26] In 1949, Vallee-Video produced one of the first cartoon shows on television, Tele-Comics.[27] Vallee-Video's breakthrough in 1952 would have been a 15-minute television show based on the Dick Tracy comic strip starring Vallée's friend Ralph Byrd, who played the character in four successful Dick Tracy theatrical serials from 1937 to 1941. Vallée sold the show as a pilot to NBC. Vallée and Byrd also worked on a proposed radio show based on the comic strip Hawkshaw the Detective.[28] However, Byrd died in August 1952, bringing the Dick Tracy production to a halt, and spelling the end for Vallee-Video.[25] Personal life Vallée was married four times. He married Jane Greer on December 2, 1943 in Hollywood, but they separated after three months and divorced on July 27, 1944. His fourth and final wife Eleanor wrote a memoir titled My Vagabond Lover.[citation needed] NBC announcer George Ansbro wrote in his memoirs that Vallée "had quite a temper and a very foul mouth... almost always the butt of his nastiness was the orchestra... his outbursts were mean-spirited, and he didn't care who overheard".[29] However, Alton Cook wrote, "Vallée may be fuming at his orchestra, but a Vallée hour rehearsal never quite loses its air of being a gathering of old friends... Rudy is grimly serious about rehearsal. He sometimes has his band spend a quarter-hour going over one short passage that doesn't satisfy him. On those occasions his temper wears thin..."[30] During his divorce from his first wife Fay Webb, she alleged that "Vallée is possessed of a violent, vicious, and ungovernable temper, and given to the use of blasphemy and the use of intemperate, vile, and vituperative language, particularly when applied to [her]". She accused him of committing adultery with three women, including actress Alice Faye. Vallée denied the allegations and charged infidelity on her part. The judge found him "not guilty of any misconduct or maltreatment of Webb which detrimentally affected her health, physical or medical condition."[31] In a heated dispute with producer George White on the set of the 1934 film George White's Scandals, White struck Vallée in the jaw. Dorothy Brooks wrote in 1936, "Other stars on the air have their troubles, their disagreements, and yet you don't read about their ending in black eyes. Only Rudy Vallee seems to figure in endings of this kind." In an interview with Brooks, Vallée claimed he found fighting "savage and stupid" and "the wrong way to try to solve problems, because it never solves them." When asked why he fought, he replied, "I just lost my temper. I'll admit I have a too-quick temper."[32] Vallée was a Republican who strongly supported Richard Nixon's 1968 presidential campaign, saying: "Every chance I get I sound off for Nixon. I'm advocating that Reader's Digest reprint 'Cuba, Castro and JFK,' a very brilliant article. I also send in checks from time to time." Nixon had written the Reader's Digest article in November 1964.[33][34] Vallée maintained an estate at Kezar Lake.[35] Vallée died of cancer at his Los Angeles estate known as Silvertip on July 3, 1986 while watching the televised centennial ceremonies of the restored Statue of Liberty. His wife Eleanor said that his last words were: "I wish we could be there; you know how I love a party."[36] Legacy In 1995, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[37] For his work in radio, Vallée was inducted into the Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2011. Discography Main article: Rudy Vallée & His Connecticut Yankees discography Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 1929 Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees Himself Vitaphone Varieties #771;[38] Lost film (soundtrack survives, containing the songs "Deep Night" and "Outside")[39] 1929 Radio Rhythm Himself Short 1929 The Vagabond Lover Rudy Bronson 1929 Glorifying the American Girl Himself 1930 College Sweethearts Short 1931 Kitty from Kansas City Himself Short 1931 Musical Justice Judge Short 1932 The Musical Doctor Dr. Vallee Short 1932 Rudy Vallee Melodies Himself Short 1933 International House Himself 1934 George White's Scandals Jimmy Martin 1934 Hollywood on Parade # B-9 Himself 1935 Sweet Music Skip Houston 1938 Gold Diggers in Paris Terry Moore Alternative title: The Gay Impostors 1939 Second Fiddle Roger Maxwell 1941 Too Many Blondes Dick Kerrigan 1941 Time Out for Rhythm Daniel "Danny" Collins 1942 The Palm Beach Story John D. Hackensacker III 1943 Happy Go Lucky Alfred Monroe 1945 It's in the Bag Himself 1945 Man Alive Gordon Tolliver 1946 People Are Funny Ormsby Jamison 1946 The Fabulous Suzanne Hendrick Courtney, Jr. 1947 The Sin of Harold Diddlebock Lynn Sargent Alternative title: Mad Wednesday 1947 The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer District Attorney Tommy Chamberlain Alternative title: Released in the U.K. as Bachelor Knight 1948 I Remember Mama Dr. Johnson 1948 So This Is New York Herbert Daley 1948 Unfaithfully Yours August Henshler 1948 My Dear Secretary Charles Harris 1949 Mother Is a Freshman John Heaslip Alternative title: Mother Knows Best 1949 The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend Charles Hingleman 1949 Father Was a Fullback Mr. Roger "Jess" Jessup 1950 The Admiral Was a Lady Peter Pedigrew (Jukebox king) 1954 Ricochet Romance Worthington Higgenmacher 1955 Gentlemen Marry Brunettes Himself 1957 The Helen Morgan Story Himself Alternative titles: Both Ends of the Candle Why Was I Born? 1967 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Jasper B. Biggley 1968 Live a Little, Love a Little Louis Penlow With Elvis Presley 1968 The Night They Raided Minsky's Narrator Voice 1970 The Phynx Himself 1975 Slashed Dreams Proprietor Alternative title: Sunburst 1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Autograph Hound Television Year Title Role Notes 1953 The Ford 50th Anniversary Show Himself Song medley and banter with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra 1956 The Johnny Carson Show Himself 1 episode 1956–1957 December Bride Himself 2 episodes 1957 The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour Himself 1 episode 1961 What's My Line? Himself 1 episode 1967 Batman Lord Marmaduke Ffogg 3 episodes 1969 Petticoat Junction Herbert A. Smith Episode: "But I've Never Been In Erie, Pa" 1970 Here's Lucy Himself 1 episode 1971 Night Gallery Dr. Francis Deeking 1 episode 1971–1972 Alias Smith and Jones Winford Fletcher 2 episodes 1976 Ellery Queen Alvin Winer Episode: "The Adventure of the Tyrant of Tin Pan Alley" 1979 CHiPs Arthur Forbinger Episode: "Pressure Point" 1984 Santa Barbara Elderly Con 1 episode (final appearance) Gallery Illustrations In the process of being painted by Rolf Armstrong on November 21, 1929 In the process of being painted by Rolf Armstrong on November 21, 1929 Painted by Rolf Armstrong on November 21, 1929 Painted by Rolf Armstrong on November 21, 1929 1929 caricature from Radio Revue 1929 caricature from Radio Revue 1930 caricature from Photoplay 1930 caricature from Photoplay Advertisement for Old Gold Cigarettes with a fabricated biography Advertisement for Old Gold Cigarettes with a fabricated biography Caricature in the 1932 Merrie Melodies cartoon Crosby, Columbo, and Vallee; note the megaphone and the curl in his hair Caricature in the 1932 Merrie Melodies cartoon Crosby, Columbo, and Vallee; note the megaphone and the curl in his hair Caricature in the 1934 Betty Boop cartoon Poor Cinderella Caricature in the 1934 Betty Boop cartoon Poor Cinderella Magazine covers Radio Revue, December 1929 Radio Revue, December 1929 Radio Guide, April 16–22, 1933 Radio Guide, April 16–22, 1933 Radio Stars, May 1933 Radio Stars, May 1933 Radio Mirror, December 1934 Radio Mirror, December 1934 Radio Stars, May 1936 Radio Stars, May 1936 Videos Kitty from Kansas City (1931) See also Vallee Family House, a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Westbrook, Maine References Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2571. ISBN 0-85112-939-0. "Died On This Date (July 3, 1986) Rudy Vallee / Jazz Singer & Bandleader". Themusicsover.com. July 3, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2021. Rust, Brian, "The Savoy Havana at the Savoy Hotel, London", sleeve notes to disc 2 of World Record Club LP set SH165/6, issued 1971 "Cartoonist Peter Arno of the New Yorker Dies". The Milwaukee Journal. February 23, 1968. Part 1, p. 20. "How Rudy Wiedoeft's Saxophobia Launched the Saxual Revolution" (PDF). Garfield.library.upenn.edu. Retrieved September 29, 2019. Walker p. 167 Whitcomb, Ian. "The Coming of the Crooners". Sam Houston University. Retrieved June 24, 2010. "Tonight's Features from Nearby Stations," Bridgewater NJ Courier-News, March 3, 1928, p. 4, "Tomorrow's Radio Programs," St. Cloud MN Times, February 26, 1929, p. 5. Brothers, Thomas (2014). Louis Armstrong: Master of Modernism. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company. p. 400. ISBN 978-0-393-06582-4. "Betty Boop: Poor Cinderella". Archive.org. September 29, 1934. "What is the Secret of Rudy Vallee's Success?". Radio Revue. New York. December 1929. Retrieved November 7, 2015. Hansen, Martin (January 1930). "Mere Man Wins First Prize in Rudy Vallee Contest". Radio Revue. New York. Retrieved November 7, 2015. "The Maine Stein Song by Rudy Vallée - Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Gilliland, John (1994). Pop Chronicles the 40s: The Lively Story of Pop Music in the 40s (audiobook). ISBN 978-1-55935-147-8. OCLC 31611854. Tape 1, side A. USCG: Frequently Asked Questions. Uscg.mil. Retrieved on 2012-01-30. "The Singing Telegram At 50". The New York Times. 1983. Retrieved September 13, 2018. Liz Sadler. "Special delivery: The singing telegram endures". Columbia News Service. Columbia School of Journalism. Archived from the original on November 8, 2006. Retrieved September 13, 2018. "The First Singing Telegram". Sound Beat. Syracuse University Libraries. Retrieved September 13, 2018. Walker p.169 Features Archives. onhifi.com (March 1, 2002). Retrieved on 2012-01-30. Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 1208. ISBN 1-85227-745-9. Skelton, Scott; Benson, Jim (1998). Rod Serling's Night Gallery: An After-hours Tour. Syracuse University Press. pp. 159–. ISBN 978-0-8156-0535-5. Retrieved December 21, 2018. "Vallee-Video". OpenCorporates. Retrieved March 7, 2020. Pitts, Michael; Hoffman, Frank (2001). The Rise of the Crooners: Gene Austin, Russ Columbo, Bing Crosby, Nick Lucas, Johnny Marvin, and Rudy Vallee. Scarecrow Press. p. 204. ISBN 978-0810840812. Retrieved March 7, 2020. "Vallee Sees Separate Coast TV Depts., Sub-Divided Studios as Aids to Biz". Variety. February 2, 1949. p. 26. Retrieved January 17, 2023. Woolery, George W. (1983). Children's Television: The First Thirty-Five Years, 1946-1981. The Scarecrow Press. pp. 285–286. ISBN 0-8108-1557-5. Retrieved March 5, 2020. "Vallee-NBC in Deal on 'Tracy' Telefilms". The Billboard. Vol. 61, no. 22. May 28, 1949. p. 12. Retrieved March 7, 2020. Ansbro, George (February 1, 2000). I Have a Lady in the Balcony: Memoirs of a Broadcaster in Radio and Television. McFarland. pp. 89–. ISBN 978-0-7864-4318-5. Retrieved December 21, 2018. Cook, Alton (April 18, 1937). "Rudy Acts Like Real Tough Guy". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved January 15, 2016. Fay Webb Vallee v. Hubert Prior Vallee. p. 56. Retrieved December 21, 2018. Brooks, Dorothy (August 1936). "Why I Always Have to Fight". Radio Mirror. Broadway, New York. Retrieved December 31, 2015. Calta, Louis (April 6, 1968). "Entertainers Join Cast of Political Hopefuls". The New York Times. p. 42. "Index to the Reader's Digest: January-December, 1964". The Reader's Digest. 84–85. January 19, 1964. C. Stewart Doty, "Rudy Vallee: Franco-American and Man from Maine", Maine Historical Society Quarterly 1993 33(1): 2–19 Obituary, Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1986. "The Brightest Stars" (PDF). Palmspringswalkofstars.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Picking, Patrick (2007). "Vitaphone Thrills the World During Event-Filled Year". The Vitaphone Project. Patrick J. Picking. Retrieved February 14, 2016. "Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees Vitaphone". SoundCloud. Vitaphone. 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2016. Bibliography Walker, Leo. (1976) "The Wonderful Era of the Great Dance Bands" Further reading McCracken, Allison (2001). "Real Men Don't Sing Ballads (Section:The Rise and Fall of Rudy Vallée)". In Wojcik, Pamela Robertson; Knight, Arthur (eds.). Soundtrack Available: Essays on Film and Popular Music. Duke University Press. pp. 113–. ISBN 0-8223-2797-X. Retrieved December 21, 2016. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rudy Vallee. Wikiquote has quotations related to Rudy Vallée. Official site Rudy Vallee Collection Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine at the American Radio Archive the Thousand Oaks Library Virtual History A collection of rare aluminum transcription discs of some of Vallée's radio broadcasts is housed in the Great American Songbook Foundation archives Archived January 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Grave Rudy Vallée at IMDb Rudy Vallée at the Internet Broadway Database Edit this at Wikidata Rudy Vallée at AllMusic Rudy Vallée recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings. Media The Royal Desserts Hour with Rudy Vallée (May 5, 1938) (one hour in) Archived May 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Recordings on Standard Labels at the Internet Archive Recordings on Discount Labels at the Internet Archive More recordings (including unreleased personal recordings) at the Internet Archive Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata International FASTISNIVIAF National NorwaySpainFrance 2BnF data 2GermanyIsraelBelgiumUnited StatesJapanPoland Artists MusicBrainz People Trove Other SNACIdRef Categories: 1901 births1986 deaths20th-century American male actors20th-century American singersAmerican bandleadersAmerican croonersAmerican male film actorsAmerican male radio actorsAmerican male pop singersAmerican people of French-Canadian descentAmerican people of Irish descentDeaths from cancer in CaliforniaBig band bandleadersSingers from VermontPeople from Brighton, VermontPeople from Westbrook, MaineMilitary personnel from VermontRCA Victor artistsTraditional pop music singersUnited States Coast Guard Band musiciansVaudeville performersYale University alumniPeople from Lovell, MaineMaine Republicans20th-century American male singersUnited States Navy personnel of World War IChild soldiers in World War IUnited States Coast Guard personnel of World War IIUnited States Coast Guard officersSigma Alpha Epsilon members

This chronicles various angelic ministrations to Joseph Smith, climaxing in the April 6, 1830 meeting that organized the Church.

Morality for youth / [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], 1982 Sub-Series — Reel: 23Identifier: UA 5625 Series 2 Sub-Series 10 L. Tom Perry Special Collections. University Archives David Kent Jacobs collection on Mormon films (UA 5625) David Kent Jacobs collection of films, 1955-1988 Morality for youth / [Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], 1982 Scope and Contents Film was released in 1982, and was produced by Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story focuses on an analogy between a rafting trip and the dangers of sexual immorality. The collection has one copy of the film on a film reel. Dated 1982. Dates 1982 Creator Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (producer, Organization) Conditions Governing Access Open for public research. Films are kept in cold storage; access requires 24 hours advance notice. Conditions Governing Use It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearences. Permission to publish material from David Kent Jacobs collection on Mormon films must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collection Board of Curators. Biographical History From the Collection: David Kent Jacobs (1937- ) is a film director, producer, and screenwriter in Utah. David Kent Jacobs graduated from Weber College with an Associate of Science and completed his Bachelor of Science at Brigham Young University 1961. He was part of the Brigham Young University Motion Picture Department and was involved in multiple productions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jacobs wrote his Master's thesis on "The History of Motion...See more Extent 1 film reel Language of Materials English

Cast David Westberg (Joseph Smith)Eric ServerLouise LewisJudith OlausonElizabeth CannonCathy BritschJoseph WalkerRod BeanTim SloverMark Wheadon Synopsis Depicts the trials the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family endured during the translation of the Book of Mormon, and Martin Harris' role in the translation, and loss of the first 116 pages.

Jacob, a Nephite youth, loses his faith, despite the efforts of his father Helam, and begins to associate with a secret combination group led by the evil Kohor. Portions of Christ's mortal ministry as recorded in the Bible are shown. Christ dies--with great destruction in the Americas--and is resurrected. A penitent Jacob takes his now blind father to where Christ appears to the Nephites, and Christ restores Helam's sight. Essentially Kieth Merrill's sequel to Legacy, this is the second large-scale 70mm film he did for the theater of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building next to Temple Square (which was renamed the Legacy Theater with Testament's premiere). The scale of the production was immense, demonstrating not only the success of Legacy but the Church's on-going commitment to large-scale films. It was conceived as a result of Legacy and the 1997 Pioneer Sesquicentennial's emphasis on pioneers; Church leaders desired a production that focused on Jesus Christ rather than modern Church members. Later Kieth Merrill declared his wish that he could have remade the film with the Nephite story set in the Hopewell Culture after his learning of the Heartland Geography Model.

Legacy: A Mormon Journey is a 53-minute film produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Legacy depicts the life of two recent converts from the 1830s to the 1890s. The characters are fictional, though the events they experience are historical. The film was initially produced to be shown in the Legacy Theatre of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (JSMB), following the building's complete remodel. After the building's reopening, Legacy premiered on July 3, 1993.[1] In addition to screenings in the JSMB adjacent to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, it was shown at the visitors' centers at the church's Washington, D.C., and Mesa Arizona temples. It was replaced in March 2000 by The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd. Production Parts of the film were shot in Salt Lake City as well as New York, Wyoming, and Nauvoo, Illinois.[2] The scene 41 minutes in when Eliza's wagon slips in the mud was not staged. The rain was unexpected and the crew continued filming as the wagon actually slipped off the road. Marcus Gilbert as David Walker pulled Kathleen Beller as Eliza Williams to safety. Additionally, the actor playing Eliza's father broke his leg trying to control the horses. He can be seen limping throughout the remainder of the film.[citation needed] Cast Kathleen Beller as Eliza Williams Benton Jennings as Governor Boggs Steve Abolt as Missouri Militia Officer Marcus Gilbert as David Walker J.T. Gorham as Young Rider Brian Lives as Missionary Will Schmitz Jr. as Wilford Woodruff[3]

Original Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmFbZ7VHjY4&t=23s 35,184 views Premiered Jun 22, 2021 #ComeUntoChrist #LDS #JosephSmith 0:00 Ask of God 4:43 Moroni Buries the Plates 12:45 1 Nephi 1-2 30:07 1 Nephi 3-5 55:10 1 Nephi 7 1:06:25 1 Nephi 8 1:18:28 1 Nephi 16 1:33:55 1 Nephi 17-18 1:47:58 1 Nephi 18 2:00:00 2 Nephi 1-4 2:13:04 2 Nephi 5 2:20:32 2 Nephi 6-10 2:27:23 2 Nephi 31-32 2:31:42 2 Nephi 33 2:33:11 Jacob 2-3 2:42:20 Jacob 7 2:48:47 Enos 2:54:26 Mosiah 1-5 3:11:27 Mosiah 11-18 3:36:06 Mosiah 27, Alma 36 3:46:26 Alma 17-19 4:08:23 Alma 4-7 4:17:57 Alma 8-15 4:40:07 Alma 31-34 4:58:58 Alma 36-42 5:15:20 The Christ Child 5:32:42 Jesus' Baptism 5:33:19 Jesus Declares He's the Messiah 5:36:35 Jesus Turns Water to Wine 5:39:02 Jesus Casts Out a Devil 5:40:48 Jesus Calls Simon, James, and John 5:42:36 Sermon on the Mount 5:52:54 Jesus Calms the Tempest 5:55:09 Jesus Heals a Woman and Raises Jairus' Daughter 5:59:50 Jesus Tasks the Apostles 6:01:07 Parable of the Sower, Wheat, & Tares 6:07:10 Parable of the Tares Explanation 6:08:23 Jesus Raises the Dead 6:10:44 Jesus Heals the Man by the Pool 6:13:02 Jesus Forgives the Adulterous Woman 6:16:16 Jesus Heals the Paraplegic 6:19:02 A House Divided Cannot Stand 6:24:56 Jesus Meets with Nicodemus 6:30:43 Fish and Loaves 6:33:32 Jesus Walks on Water 6:35:37 Labor for Eternal Life 6:38:04 Jesus Isn't Accepted by His Own 6:42:15 Jesus Heals a Blind Man 6:49:56 A Pearl of Great Price 6:51:39 Jesus is the Christ 6:53:04 Woman at the Well 6:56:58 Jesus will be Crucified 6:58:43 Seventy Times Seven 7:01:51 Lazarus Raised from the Dead 7:09:33 Lilies of the Field 7:13:22 Jesus Loves the Little Children 7:15:53 Parable of the Vineyard 7:20:52 Jesus Enters Jerusalem 7:21:57 His Sheep Know His Voice 7:25:09 Parable of the Lost Sheep 7:27:14 Jesus is the Light of the World 7:31:18 Prodigal Son 7:36:38 Become as Little Children 7:39:37 Jesus Cleanses the Temple 7:41:19 Parable of the Two Sons 7:43:42 Render Unto Caesar 7:44:25 The First and Second Commandment 7:45:58 Widow's Mite 7:46:53 Parable of the Ten Virgins 7:54:18 The Last Supper 8:00:14 The Garden of Gethsemane 8:13:21 The Trial 8:20:51 The Crucifixion 8:26:25 The Resurrection 8:38:00 Feed My Sheep 8:43:35 Acts 9:54:06 Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration 10:55:51 The Restoration Proclamation 11 HOURS. You think you TRULY have faith in our Lord and Savior? Well have you marathoned this 11 HOUR long compilation of every Book of Mormon video, every Bible video, the Joseph Smith biopic, and the Restoration Proclamation?? HAVE YOU??? I for one will be making my future fiancé watch this video with me in one sitting before she's allowed to marry me. If you truly wish to exercise unrighteous dominion over your family, force them to watch this for Family Home Evening. You could play this video once a day and constantly have spiritual POWER running through the veins of your home. DO IT. WATCH THE WHOLE VIDEO. FEAST ON THE FILMS OF THE LORD. Just think of it. In 11 hours you could have watched almost every scriptural video the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has ever produced. Beautiful. God bless you. #LDS #BookofMormon #Bible #JosephSmith #ComeUntoChrist

How Rare a Possession is a 64-minute film produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It depicts the conversion stories of Parley P. Pratt, a church leader in the 19th century, and Vincenzo di Francesca, an Italian pastor in the 20th century, who both join the church after studying the Book of Mormon. It also shows several key scenes from the Book of Mormon.

The Work and the Glory film series consists of American period piece-historical fiction Christian-drama films, based on novels of the same name written by Gerald N. Lund. The plot centers around the fictional family named the Steeds, their experiences as early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their pioneering experiences with Joseph Smith. The films were well received from critics within the religious target audience,[1][2][3][4] while it received a more critical response from the wider array of critics.[5][6][7][8] Though the movies were not financially successful in theaters, multi-millionaire Larry H. Miller continued with assisted funding to complete a trilogy of movies. The collection was later stated to have turned a profit, through their combined home video sales.[9] Development The series of historical-fiction novels titled The Work and the Glory and written by Gerald N. Lund, were published between 1990 and 1998. The concept for the series of books was conceptualized by Kenneth "Kim" Moe, prior to the hiring of Lund as author. Moe was determined years earlier that a series of novels based around the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was something that he was inspired by God to ensure is written. His fascination with the early members of the Church and the events of the pioneers, first began after reading a short history about the Latter-day Saints while in a Salt Lake City International Airport; and event which eventually led to his baptism as a member of its congregation. After various failed attempts at writing a draft for the novel, Moe realized that he was not the man for the job. He went to a local bookstore and purchased various Latter-day Saint fiction until he read Lund's The Alliance and The Freedom Factor; where he was certain he'd found the writer. During the 1980s while working as a seminary teacher, Lund was approached with the offer from his boss, who told him that a Ricks College donor (Moe) had wanted him to write a novel adaptation of the early history of Latter-day Saints. At that point the author turned down the opportunity, believing that he would not have the time to do so. Dismayed at Lund's declined offer, Moe continued to attempt writing the first draft while he continued to have the author's boss repeatedly pitch the idea to Lund. Eventually, Gerald N. Lund decided to write the novels after fasting and praying about the project. The author's work continued through his time serving as a Bishop of his local ward, a Stake President of his stake, and as a Seventy in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Following the release of the novels, Lund approached the idea for a feature film adaptation and attempted forming a media company to product the movies. Unsuccessful in his attempts, the author determined to hire a professional filmmaker. Serving as a general authority, Lund went to the First Presidency for their approval in creating a film that was not officially produced as media from the Church. Approached by many filmmakers, Lund personally selected Scott Swofford as director. Though production concerns arose, including Lund's hope that the epic scope of his novels would translate adequately to film, the movie series was deemed a success. Surpassing the author's expectation in earning over $6 million at the box office, they have since been revealed to have also turned a profit when including home video sales.[9] Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter Producer(s) The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light November 24, 2004 Russ Holt Scott H. Swofford The Work and the Glory: American Zion October 19, 2005 Sterling Van Wagenen Matt Whitaker The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided November 22, 2006 The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light (2004) Main article: The Work and the Glory In spring of the early 1820s, after selling their Vermont homestead the Benjamin Steed family, including: Benjamin, his wife Mary Anne, their children Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca, and Matthew; moves to upstate New York, where they begin to establish themselves within the community of Palmyra. As the begin to successfully clear the land for their farm with the assistance of hired assistance they acquired through local brothers named Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith Jr., the family finds themselves at the center of controversy. Though they had peacefully integrated socially amongst their neighbors, the family is surprised by the disruption they encounter due to their friendship with the Smiths; in part due to their bold claims: that God once again speaks to a living prophet on the Earth, that Joseph had been divinely chosen to be that role, and that through the deity's instructions Joseph is translating ancient scriptures of the Ancient Americas that further confirm the teachings of the The Holy Bible and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that through various works reestablish the Church that Christ had in ancient times.[a] When the Steeds find that their family is divided on these topics, a number of them discover for themselves that what Joseph Smith teaches is true and decide to join the ranks of thew newly reestablished church; at the dismay of the patriarch Benjamin. The family's oldest son joins the ranks of the mobs who tyrannize the community, and despite his differences with the Latter-day Saints, Ben finds himself defending their personal choices. As the family has disputations amongst them as to the validity of the experiences of their friends, angry members of the community begin to persecute them. Together they work towards a familial decision to trust and help the Smiths, or to turn against them.[1][10][11][12] The Work and the Glory: American Zion (2005) During November 1833, Missouri allows hundreds of peaceful inhabitants who are Latter-day Saints to be hunted and driven from their homes in Jackson County. Despite the continued persecution of angry mobs, Joseph Smith led the church members to Far West where he continued to courageously teach the members of the sect of the teachings and understanding that continues from revelations that are made known by God. As they continue the work that they believe they are divinely called to do, they begin to realize that the freedoms they hold as citizens of the United States are being taken from them and under the direction of their religious leaders, prepare to move until they find their promise Zion. While the events unfold, the Steeds struggle to keep their family together as the strong beliefs in their convictions have lead to familial separation due to their differences in religious ideology. After Matthew is taken and beaten for his role as a Latter-day Saint, its discovered that Joshua is continually involved in the violent and murderous attacks against the local Latter-day Saints. Benjamin rises up to stand against the ongoing assaults. Though he doesn't believe their teachings, Ben is determined to protect his family, his friends the Smiths, and the innocent people who are being harmed; even if it means he must stop his oldest son in any way possible.[2][13][14][15] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided (2006) Years later, after spending time away from his family Joshua Steed finds that his time in Savanna has changed who he once was. No longer a rebellious alcoholic engaged with organized terrorism towards a religious sect of his community, Josh is now a successful and established businessman. Upon marrying a local widow, he discovers that she and her son have joined the Latter-day Saints as members of their church. He finds that he no longer has hate for these people nor their teachings. When his wife Caroline and step-son Will ask about his family, Joshua finds himself ashamed of the events that led to him abandoning his past; including leading the persecution that physically harmed his younger brother Nathan and the other members of his immediate family. Despite his internal humiliation, he determines to return with them to his parents, siblings, and their families. Returning to Missouri now as a wealthy man, he humbly begins to search for his family. Through his efforts and determination to amend for his past mistakes, the divided Steed house begins to heal. As the Latter-day Saints continue their journey to Missouri, Governor Boggs makes it lawful to kill a member of the church with his Mormon Extermination Order. Joshua soon finds that he and his family are a part of the settlement that will be harmed in these attacks, and realizing that these events are not dissimilar to what he had committed himself to a younger age, he quickly discovers that it is only he who can save them from the gathering mob. Joshua turns to God for guidance and for strength, while racing against time to mend the broken bonds of his childhood home and to fight against the arriving militant dangers.[3][16][17][18][19] Main cast and characters List indicator(s) This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series. An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed. V indicates a voice-only role. Y indicates a younger version of the character. Character The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light The Work and the Glory: American Zion The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Benjamin "Ben" Steed Sam Hennings Mary Anne Steed Brenda Strong Joshua "Josh" Steed Eric Johnson Nathan Steed Alexander Carroll Lydia McBride-Steed Tiffany Dupont Sera Bastian Melissa Steed Brighton Hertford Rebecca "Becca" Steed Kimberly Varadi Julia Cunningham Matthew Steed Colin Ford Cody Sanders Jessica Roundy-Steed Griffith Emily Podleski Caroline Mendenhall-Steed Meredith Salenger William "Will" Mendenhall Steed Connor Chavarria Joseph Smith, Jr. Jonathan Scarfe Emma Smith Sarah Darling Melanie Hawkins Additional crew and production details Film Crew/Detail Composer Cinematographer Editor Production companies Distributing companies Running time The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light Sam Cardon T.C. Christensen Stephen L. Johnson Excel Entertainment, Manchester Pictures Excel Entertainment Group 1hr 50mins The Work and the Glory: American Zion Reed Smoot Vineyard Productions L.L.C. 1hr 40mins The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Gordon Lonsdale Vineyard Productions L.L.C., Excel Entertainment 1hr 29mins Reception For more details on the reception of each movie, see the "Reception" section on each film's article. Box office and financial performance Following the theatrical release of the first film, financer Larry H. Miller stated that though there were profitability concerns following the release of the first installment due to the status of the projects as some of the most expensive Latter-day Saint media ever made, he felt "comfortable with the level of [its success]." As a result of the box office returns from the first movie, the sequels which were produced back-to-back had a combined budget to equal approximately the cost of their predecessor's.[20][21] Film Box office gross Box office ranking Home video total Budget Net loss Ref(s) North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light $3,347,647 — $3,347,647 #6,867 #10,383 information not publicly available $7,500,000 ≥ -$4,152,353 [22][23] The Work and the Glory: American Zion $2,025,032 — $2,025,032 #7,561 #11,830 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$4,474,968 [24][25] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided $1,325,092 — $1,325,092 #8,089 #13,106 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$5,174,908 [26][27] Totals $6,697,771 N/A $6,697,771 x̄ #7,506 x̄ #11,773 information not publicly available $20,500,000 ≥ -$13,802,229 Critical and public response Film Critical response Rotten Tomatoes The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light 17% (12 reviews)[5] The Work and the Glory: American Zion 45% (11 reviews)[6] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided 80% (5 reviews)[7]

The Work and the Glory film series consists of American period piece-historical fiction Christian-drama films, based on novels of the same name written by Gerald N. Lund. The plot centers around the fictional family named the Steeds, their experiences as early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their pioneering experiences with Joseph Smith. The films were well received from critics within the religious target audience,[1][2][3][4] while it received a more critical response from the wider array of critics.[5][6][7][8] Though the movies were not financially successful in theaters, multi-millionaire Larry H. Miller continued with assisted funding to complete a trilogy of movies. The collection was later stated to have turned a profit, through their combined home video sales.[9] Development The series of historical-fiction novels titled The Work and the Glory and written by Gerald N. Lund, were published between 1990 and 1998. The concept for the series of books was conceptualized by Kenneth "Kim" Moe, prior to the hiring of Lund as author. Moe was determined years earlier that a series of novels based around the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was something that he was inspired by God to ensure is written. His fascination with the early members of the Church and the events of the pioneers, first began after reading a short history about the Latter-day Saints while in a Salt Lake City International Airport; and event which eventually led to his baptism as a member of its congregation. After various failed attempts at writing a draft for the novel, Moe realized that he was not the man for the job. He went to a local bookstore and purchased various Latter-day Saint fiction until he read Lund's The Alliance and The Freedom Factor; where he was certain he'd found the writer. During the 1980s while working as a seminary teacher, Lund was approached with the offer from his boss, who told him that a Ricks College donor (Moe) had wanted him to write a novel adaptation of the early history of Latter-day Saints. At that point the author turned down the opportunity, believing that he would not have the time to do so. Dismayed at Lund's declined offer, Moe continued to attempt writing the first draft while he continued to have the author's boss repeatedly pitch the idea to Lund. Eventually, Gerald N. Lund decided to write the novels after fasting and praying about the project. The author's work continued through his time serving as a Bishop of his local ward, a Stake President of his stake, and as a Seventy in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Following the release of the novels, Lund approached the idea for a feature film adaptation and attempted forming a media company to product the movies. Unsuccessful in his attempts, the author determined to hire a professional filmmaker. Serving as a general authority, Lund went to the First Presidency for their approval in creating a film that was not officially produced as media from the Church. Approached by many filmmakers, Lund personally selected Scott Swofford as director. Though production concerns arose, including Lund's hope that the epic scope of his novels would translate adequately to film, the movie series was deemed a success. Surpassing the author's expectation in earning over $6 million at the box office, they have since been revealed to have also turned a profit when including home video sales.[9] Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter Producer(s) The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light November 24, 2004 Russ Holt Scott H. Swofford The Work and the Glory: American Zion October 19, 2005 Sterling Van Wagenen Matt Whitaker The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided November 22, 2006 The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light (2004) Main article: The Work and the Glory In spring of the early 1820s, after selling their Vermont homestead the Benjamin Steed family, including: Benjamin, his wife Mary Anne, their children Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca, and Matthew; moves to upstate New York, where they begin to establish themselves within the community of Palmyra. As the begin to successfully clear the land for their farm with the assistance of hired assistance they acquired through local brothers named Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith Jr., the family finds themselves at the center of controversy. Though they had peacefully integrated socially amongst their neighbors, the family is surprised by the disruption they encounter due to their friendship with the Smiths; in part due to their bold claims: that God once again speaks to a living prophet on the Earth, that Joseph had been divinely chosen to be that role, and that through the deity's instructions Joseph is translating ancient scriptures of the Ancient Americas that further confirm the teachings of the The Holy Bible and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that through various works reestablish the Church that Christ had in ancient times.[a] When the Steeds find that their family is divided on these topics, a number of them discover for themselves that what Joseph Smith teaches is true and decide to join the ranks of thew newly reestablished church; at the dismay of the patriarch Benjamin. The family's oldest son joins the ranks of the mobs who tyrannize the community, and despite his differences with the Latter-day Saints, Ben finds himself defending their personal choices. As the family has disputations amongst them as to the validity of the experiences of their friends, angry members of the community begin to persecute them. Together they work towards a familial decision to trust and help the Smiths, or to turn against them.[1][10][11][12] The Work and the Glory: American Zion (2005) During November 1833, Missouri allows hundreds of peaceful inhabitants who are Latter-day Saints to be hunted and driven from their homes in Jackson County. Despite the continued persecution of angry mobs, Joseph Smith led the church members to Far West where he continued to courageously teach the members of the sect of the teachings and understanding that continues from revelations that are made known by God. As they continue the work that they believe they are divinely called to do, they begin to realize that the freedoms they hold as citizens of the United States are being taken from them and under the direction of their religious leaders, prepare to move until they find their promise Zion. While the events unfold, the Steeds struggle to keep their family together as the strong beliefs in their convictions have lead to familial separation due to their differences in religious ideology. After Matthew is taken and beaten for his role as a Latter-day Saint, its discovered that Joshua is continually involved in the violent and murderous attacks against the local Latter-day Saints. Benjamin rises up to stand against the ongoing assaults. Though he doesn't believe their teachings, Ben is determined to protect his family, his friends the Smiths, and the innocent people who are being harmed; even if it means he must stop his oldest son in any way possible.[2][13][14][15] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided (2006) Years later, after spending time away from his family Joshua Steed finds that his time in Savanna has changed who he once was. No longer a rebellious alcoholic engaged with organized terrorism towards a religious sect of his community, Josh is now a successful and established businessman. Upon marrying a local widow, he discovers that she and her son have joined the Latter-day Saints as members of their church. He finds that he no longer has hate for these people nor their teachings. When his wife Caroline and step-son Will ask about his family, Joshua finds himself ashamed of the events that led to him abandoning his past; including leading the persecution that physically harmed his younger brother Nathan and the other members of his immediate family. Despite his internal humiliation, he determines to return with them to his parents, siblings, and their families. Returning to Missouri now as a wealthy man, he humbly begins to search for his family. Through his efforts and determination to amend for his past mistakes, the divided Steed house begins to heal. As the Latter-day Saints continue their journey to Missouri, Governor Boggs makes it lawful to kill a member of the church with his Mormon Extermination Order. Joshua soon finds that he and his family are a part of the settlement that will be harmed in these attacks, and realizing that these events are not dissimilar to what he had committed himself to a younger age, he quickly discovers that it is only he who can save them from the gathering mob. Joshua turns to God for guidance and for strength, while racing against time to mend the broken bonds of his childhood home and to fight against the arriving militant dangers.[3][16][17][18][19] Main cast and characters List indicator(s) This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series. An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed. V indicates a voice-only role. Y indicates a younger version of the character. Character The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light The Work and the Glory: American Zion The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Benjamin "Ben" Steed Sam Hennings Mary Anne Steed Brenda Strong Joshua "Josh" Steed Eric Johnson Nathan Steed Alexander Carroll Lydia McBride-Steed Tiffany Dupont Sera Bastian Melissa Steed Brighton Hertford Rebecca "Becca" Steed Kimberly Varadi Julia Cunningham Matthew Steed Colin Ford Cody Sanders Jessica Roundy-Steed Griffith Emily Podleski Caroline Mendenhall-Steed Meredith Salenger William "Will" Mendenhall Steed Connor Chavarria Joseph Smith, Jr. Jonathan Scarfe Emma Smith Sarah Darling Melanie Hawkins Additional crew and production details Film Crew/Detail Composer Cinematographer Editor Production companies Distributing companies Running time The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light Sam Cardon T.C. Christensen Stephen L. Johnson Excel Entertainment, Manchester Pictures Excel Entertainment Group 1hr 50mins The Work and the Glory: American Zion Reed Smoot Vineyard Productions L.L.C. 1hr 40mins The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Gordon Lonsdale Vineyard Productions L.L.C., Excel Entertainment 1hr 29mins Reception For more details on the reception of each movie, see the "Reception" section on each film's article. Box office and financial performance Following the theatrical release of the first film, financer Larry H. Miller stated that though there were profitability concerns following the release of the first installment due to the status of the projects as some of the most expensive Latter-day Saint media ever made, he felt "comfortable with the level of [its success]." As a result of the box office returns from the first movie, the sequels which were produced back-to-back had a combined budget to equal approximately the cost of their predecessor's.[20][21] Film Box office gross Box office ranking Home video total Budget Net loss Ref(s) North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light $3,347,647 — $3,347,647 #6,867 #10,383 information not publicly available $7,500,000 ≥ -$4,152,353 [22][23] The Work and the Glory: American Zion $2,025,032 — $2,025,032 #7,561 #11,830 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$4,474,968 [24][25] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided $1,325,092 — $1,325,092 #8,089 #13,106 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$5,174,908 [26][27] Totals $6,697,771 N/A $6,697,771 x̄ #7,506 x̄ #11,773 information not publicly available $20,500,000 ≥ -$13,802,229 Critical and public response Film Critical response Rotten Tomatoes The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light 17% (12 reviews)[5] The Work and the Glory: American Zion 45% (11 reviews)[6] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided 80% (5 reviews)[7]

The Cokeville Miracle is a 2015 drama film written & directed by T. C. Christensen[2] and starring Jasen Wade, Sarah Kent and Kimball Stinger. The film was based on the Cokeville Elementary School hostage crisis in 1986[3] and the book The Cokeville Miracle: When Angels Intervene by Hartt Wixom and Judene Wixom. The faith-based film was released in select theaters across the United States in the summer of 2015, and was distributed by Deseret Book Company and affiliated retailers. Plot In May 1986, cop Ron Hartley (Jasen Wade) of Cokeville, Wyoming, begins to question his religious beliefs, wondering whether a just God would really allow the atrocities he witnesses in his work to happen. He stops praying and attending church services with his family, which worries his wife, Claudia (Sarah Kent) and his children, Cindy (Alexa Rae) and Jason (Kimball Stinger). In Tucson, Arizona, David Young (Nathan Stevens), former town marshal of Cokeville, tests a homemade bomb on an old bus, completely destroying it. He then expresses his triumph with his second wife, Doris (Kymberly Mellen). The two and Young's daughter from his first marriage, Penny (Caitlin EJ Meyer), journey to Cokeville, where Young collects supplies to build another bomb and recruits his friends Gerald Deppe and Doyle Mendenhall (Channon Voyce and Paul Hunt) to help him with the next stage of his plan. The next day, Ron is called out of town. Meanwhile, Young's group travels to the elementary school and David announces his plan to take the school hostage and blow it up in the deluded belief that he's mathematically calculated how to die and come back to life in a "brave new world" he will control. Deppe and Mendenhall, who had assumed after an earlier demonstration that they would be setting off illegal fireworks, are horrified and refuse to participate. Young handcuffs them and leaves them in his van. Young arms the bomb and he, Doris, and Penny enter the school. When Young starts yelling at a student, Penny confronts him and refuses to help any further. She takes Young's van and drives to the town hall, where she, Deppe, and Medenhall alert the authorities. At the school, Young takes control of Room 4. Doris then lures the rest of the school into the room by promising a "surprise". Once all 136 students, including Cindy and Jason, and 18 teachers are inside, Young explains that the bomb is wired to a dead man's switch tied to his wrist, which will detonate the bomb if anything happens to him, and threatens to shoot anyone who tries to leave. He then orders Max Excell (Alan Peterson), the school principal, to call the authorities and deliver his ransom demand: $2,000,000 for each child. As news about the hostage situation spreads, worried parents and emergency responders gather outside the school. Ron learns about the situation and begins speeding back to Cokeville, aware that every other police officer is also out of town and he is closest. He again questions God's existence, wondering why something like this would be allowed to happen. Inside the school, gas begins to leak from the bomb, making the children sick from the fumes. The teachers convince Young to let them open the doors and windows for ventilation. They do their best to keep the children quiet and avoid provoking Young, who grows increasingly agitated and unstable, including making a "magic square" of masking tape on the floor to keep the children away from Young and the bomb. Eventually, Young goes to the bathroom, transferring the dead man's switch to Doris before he leaves. Doris accidentally pulls the switch with a hand gesture, triggering the bomb. The room is set on fire and fills with smoke and shrapnel as shells from Young's guns explode in the heat. The teachers quickly begin evacuating the children through the open doors and windows. Young returns from the bathroom, sees Doris on fire, and shoots her. He also shoots John Miller (Joshua Cooper), a teacher, in the back before retreating to the bathroom and shooting himself. Young and Doris are the only two fatalities of the bombing; everyone else successfully evacuates. A few days later, Jason and Cindy are recovering well from burns and other minor injuries, but their parents worry that Jason is traumatized and take him to a psychologist. After the visit, Jason confides to Ron and Claudia that there were other people in the room with them, dressed in white — angels. He identifies one of them as his deceased great-grandmother after being shown a photograph of her and claims she told him the bomb would go off but that everything would be alright. Ron is doubtful of Jason's story, so Claudia encourages him to look for other evidence. Ron visits other families and learns that their children likewise saw deceased relatives in the room with them shortly before the explosion. He also consults with the school principal and the investigating bomb expert (Rick Macy), who explain a number of unlikely coincidences that contributed to everyone making it out safely. Some of the events defy logical explanation, such as wires on the bomb inexplicably being cut before it exploded, no one being hit by flying shrapnel, and the school fire alarms going off with no apparent cause in the days leading up to the bombing. Ron also learns that even though the bomb was designed to explode outward, the force of the blast was largely directed up into the ceiling, which aligns with Jason describing a ring of angels surrounding the bomb and flying upward as it went off. Even after hearing all this, Ron remains skeptical. The following Sunday, Jason persuades Ron to attend church by refusing to attend unless Ron comes as well. Ron enters the church building, but can't bring himself to attend the meetings, admitting to Claudia that he hates the Youngs for what they did and is glad they're dead. Claudia warns him that he'll lose her and their kids if he lets doubt and anger control his life. Ron then overhears part of a lesson given by their bishop, reminding the congregation that hatred will not help anyone, as well as the children, many of whom were present during the bombing, singing in the youth room. Ron is overcome with emotion and asks God and his family to forgive him for doubting. He resumes praying and attending church. Cast Jasen Wade as Ron Hartley, the film's protagonist, one of the town's deputies who is questioning his faith as his children are taken hostage. Sarah Kent as Claudia Hartley, Ron's wife, who is worried about his skepticism. Kimball Stinger as Jason Hartley, Ron and Claudia's son, who tells them about seeing an angel of a deceased ancestor. Alexa Rae as Cindy Hartley, Ron and Claudia's daughter. Nathan Stevens as David Young, the film's antagonist, the ex-town marshal who holds Cokeville Elementary hostage. Kymberly Mellen as Doris Young, David's second wife, who accompanies him on his devious plan, but treats the children with much kindness. Caitlin EJ Meyer as Penny Young, David's second daughter from his previous marriage, who refuses to participate in his evil plan. Paul Hunt and Channon Voyce as Doyle Mendenhall and Gerald Deppe, two of David Young's friends who also refuse to participate in holding helpless, little children hostage. Alan Peterson as Max Excell, the Principal of Cokeville Elementary. Jillette Dayton as Christina "Tina" Cook, the Secretary of Cokeville Elementary. Barta Heiner as Verlene Bennion, an elderly teacher at Cokeville Elementary who suffers from smoke inhalation after the bomb goes off. Liz Christensen as Pat Bennion, Verlene's daughter-in-law and one of the teachers at Cokeville Elementary. Joshua Cooper as John Miller, a music teacher who is shot by David Young after the bomb goes off. Rick Macy as Rich Haskell, a certified bomb expert from the Sweetwater County Sherrif's department in Rock Springs. Shawn Stevens as John Teichert, the bishop of Cokeville's local congregation. Production The film was written and directed by T. C. Christensen, (The Work and the Glory, Only a Stonecutter, 17 Miracles, Ephraim's Rescue) and produced by Ron Tanner and Christensen. The film debuted on June 5, 2015, in select theaters in Utah, and then across the United States. The film was subsequently released on DVD and Blu-ray for distribution by Excel Entertainment Group through Deseret Book and affiliated retailers.

The Work and the Glory (also known as The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light)[3] is a 2004 historical fiction drama film directed by Russell Holt, from a script co-written by Gerald N. Lund and Russell Holt. Based on Lund's novel titled The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light,[4][5] the movie stars Sam Hennings, Brenda Strong, Eric Johnson, Alexander Carroll, Tiffany Dupont, and Jonathan Scarfe. It tells the story of the fictional Steed family in the 1820s and their struggles trying to adopt the new Mormon religion, and it explores their relationship with their community, with its founder, Joseph Smith and the rest of the Smith family.[citation needed] The movie successfully launched the titular film series, which consisted of a trilogy. Reception On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 17% based on reviews from 12 critics and an audience approval rating of 84% (5000+ ratings).[6] Sequels The film was followed by two sequels, The Work and the Glory: American Zion released in 2005, and The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided released in 2006.[7] The Work and the Glory film series consists of American period piece-historical fiction Christian-drama films, based on novels of the same name written by Gerald N. Lund. The plot centers around the fictional family named the Steeds, their experiences as early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their pioneering experiences with Joseph Smith. The films were well received from critics within the religious target audience,[1][2][3][4] while it received a more critical response from the wider array of critics.[5][6][7][8] Though the movies were not financially successful in theaters, multi-millionaire Larry H. Miller continued with assisted funding to complete a trilogy of movies. The collection was later stated to have turned a profit, through their combined home video sales.[9] Development The series of historical-fiction novels titled The Work and the Glory and written by Gerald N. Lund, were published between 1990 and 1998. The concept for the series of books was conceptualized by Kenneth "Kim" Moe, prior to the hiring of Lund as author. Moe was determined years earlier that a series of novels based around the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was something that he was inspired by God to ensure is written. His fascination with the early members of the Church and the events of the pioneers, first began after reading a short history about the Latter-day Saints while in a Salt Lake City International Airport; and event which eventually led to his baptism as a member of its congregation. After various failed attempts at writing a draft for the novel, Moe realized that he was not the man for the job. He went to a local bookstore and purchased various Latter-day Saint fiction until he read Lund's The Alliance and The Freedom Factor; where he was certain he'd found the writer. During the 1980s while working as a seminary teacher, Lund was approached with the offer from his boss, who told him that a Ricks College donor (Moe) had wanted him to write a novel adaptation of the early history of Latter-day Saints. At that point the author turned down the opportunity, believing that he would not have the time to do so. Dismayed at Lund's declined offer, Moe continued to attempt writing the first draft while he continued to have the author's boss repeatedly pitch the idea to Lund. Eventually, Gerald N. Lund decided to write the novels after fasting and praying about the project. The author's work continued through his time serving as a Bishop of his local ward, a Stake President of his stake, and as a Seventy in the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Following the release of the novels, Lund approached the idea for a feature film adaptation and attempted forming a media company to product the movies. Unsuccessful in his attempts, the author determined to hire a professional filmmaker. Serving as a general authority, Lund went to the First Presidency for their approval in creating a film that was not officially produced as media from the Church. Approached by many filmmakers, Lund personally selected Scott Swofford as director. Though production concerns arose, including Lund's hope that the epic scope of his novels would translate adequately to film, the movie series was deemed a success. Surpassing the author's expectation in earning over $6 million at the box office, they have since been revealed to have also turned a profit when including home video sales.[9] Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter Producer(s) The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light November 24, 2004 Russ Holt Scott H. Swofford The Work and the Glory: American Zion October 19, 2005 Sterling Van Wagenen Matt Whitaker The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided November 22, 2006 The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light (2004) Main article: The Work and the Glory In spring of the early 1820s, after selling their Vermont homestead the Benjamin Steed family, including: Benjamin, his wife Mary Anne, their children Joshua, Nathan, Melissa, Rebecca, and Matthew; moves to upstate New York, where they begin to establish themselves within the community of Palmyra. As the begin to successfully clear the land for their farm with the assistance of hired assistance they acquired through local brothers named Hyrum Smith and Joseph Smith Jr., the family finds themselves at the center of controversy. Though they had peacefully integrated socially amongst their neighbors, the family is surprised by the disruption they encounter due to their friendship with the Smiths; in part due to their bold claims: that God once again speaks to a living prophet on the Earth, that Joseph had been divinely chosen to be that role, and that through the deity's instructions Joseph is translating ancient scriptures of the Ancient Americas that further confirm the teachings of the The Holy Bible and that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and that through various works reestablish the Church that Christ had in ancient times.[a] When the Steeds find that their family is divided on these topics, a number of them discover for themselves that what Joseph Smith teaches is true and decide to join the ranks of thew newly reestablished church; at the dismay of the patriarch Benjamin. The family's oldest son joins the ranks of the mobs who tyrannize the community, and despite his differences with the Latter-day Saints, Ben finds himself defending their personal choices. As the family has disputations amongst them as to the validity of the experiences of their friends, angry members of the community begin to persecute them. Together they work towards a familial decision to trust and help the Smiths, or to turn against them.[1][10][11][12] The Work and the Glory: American Zion (2005) During November 1833, Missouri allows hundreds of peaceful inhabitants who are Latter-day Saints to be hunted and driven from their homes in Jackson County. Despite the continued persecution of angry mobs, Joseph Smith led the church members to Far West where he continued to courageously teach the members of the sect of the teachings and understanding that continues from revelations that are made known by God. As they continue the work that they believe they are divinely called to do, they begin to realize that the freedoms they hold as citizens of the United States are being taken from them and under the direction of their religious leaders, prepare to move until they find their promise Zion. While the events unfold, the Steeds struggle to keep their family together as the strong beliefs in their convictions have lead to familial separation due to their differences in religious ideology. After Matthew is taken and beaten for his role as a Latter-day Saint, its discovered that Joshua is continually involved in the violent and murderous attacks against the local Latter-day Saints. Benjamin rises up to stand against the ongoing assaults. Though he doesn't believe their teachings, Ben is determined to protect his family, his friends the Smiths, and the innocent people who are being harmed; even if it means he must stop his oldest son in any way possible.[2][13][14][15] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided (2006) Years later, after spending time away from his family Joshua Steed finds that his time in Savanna has changed who he once was. No longer a rebellious alcoholic engaged with organized terrorism towards a religious sect of his community, Josh is now a successful and established businessman. Upon marrying a local widow, he discovers that she and her son have joined the Latter-day Saints as members of their church. He finds that he no longer has hate for these people nor their teachings. When his wife Caroline and step-son Will ask about his family, Joshua finds himself ashamed of the events that led to him abandoning his past; including leading the persecution that physically harmed his younger brother Nathan and the other members of his immediate family. Despite his internal humiliation, he determines to return with them to his parents, siblings, and their families. Returning to Missouri now as a wealthy man, he humbly begins to search for his family. Through his efforts and determination to amend for his past mistakes, the divided Steed house begins to heal. As the Latter-day Saints continue their journey to Missouri, Governor Boggs makes it lawful to kill a member of the church with his Mormon Extermination Order. Joshua soon finds that he and his family are a part of the settlement that will be harmed in these attacks, and realizing that these events are not dissimilar to what he had committed himself to a younger age, he quickly discovers that it is only he who can save them from the gathering mob. Joshua turns to God for guidance and for strength, while racing against time to mend the broken bonds of his childhood home and to fight against the arriving militant dangers.[3][16][17][18][19] Main cast and characters List indicator(s) This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series. An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed. V indicates a voice-only role. Y indicates a younger version of the character. Character The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light The Work and the Glory: American Zion The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Benjamin "Ben" Steed Sam Hennings Mary Anne Steed Brenda Strong Joshua "Josh" Steed Eric Johnson Nathan Steed Alexander Carroll Lydia McBride-Steed Tiffany Dupont Sera Bastian Melissa Steed Brighton Hertford Rebecca "Becca" Steed Kimberly Varadi Julia Cunningham Matthew Steed Colin Ford Cody Sanders Jessica Roundy-Steed Griffith Emily Podleski Caroline Mendenhall-Steed Meredith Salenger William "Will" Mendenhall Steed Connor Chavarria Joseph Smith, Jr. Jonathan Scarfe Emma Smith Sarah Darling Melanie Hawkins Additional crew and production details Film Crew/Detail Composer Cinematographer Editor Production companies Distributing companies Running time The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light Sam Cardon T.C. Christensen Stephen L. Johnson Excel Entertainment, Manchester Pictures Excel Entertainment Group 1hr 50mins The Work and the Glory: American Zion Reed Smoot Vineyard Productions L.L.C. 1hr 40mins The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided Gordon Lonsdale Vineyard Productions L.L.C., Excel Entertainment 1hr 29mins Reception For more details on the reception of each movie, see the "Reception" section on each film's article. Box office and financial performance Following the theatrical release of the first film, financer Larry H. Miller stated that though there were profitability concerns following the release of the first installment due to the status of the projects as some of the most expensive Latter-day Saint media ever made, he felt "comfortable with the level of [its success]." As a result of the box office returns from the first movie, the sequels which were produced back-to-back had a combined budget to equal approximately the cost of their predecessor's.[20][21] Film Box office gross Box office ranking Home video total Budget Net loss Ref(s) North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light $3,347,647 — $3,347,647 #6,867 #10,383 information not publicly available $7,500,000 ≥ -$4,152,353 [22][23] The Work and the Glory: American Zion $2,025,032 — $2,025,032 #7,561 #11,830 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$4,474,968 [24][25] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided $1,325,092 — $1,325,092 #8,089 #13,106 information not publicly available $6,500,000 ≥ -$5,174,908 [26][27] Totals $6,697,771 N/A $6,697,771 x̄ #7,506 x̄ #11,773 information not publicly available $20,500,000 ≥ -$13,802,229 Critical and public response Film Critical response Rotten Tomatoes The Work and the Glory: Pillar of Light 17% (12 reviews)[5] The Work and the Glory: American Zion 45% (11 reviews)[6] The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided 80% (5 reviews)[7]

The story of the Mormon Battalion is closely connected with the history of California. In 1846, the 496 men of the battalion journeyed west to fight in the war with Mexico; instead, they became a significant force in the exploration, settlement, and prosperity of California and the western United States. Using their expert skills, the men helped establish San Diego and San Francisco, helped instigate one of the most famous gold rushes in history, and blazed the trail across the Sierra Nevadas that thousands of gold prospectors would follow on their way to California. These contributions of the Mormon Battalion and other early Latter-day Saints have left a legacy "more precious than gold."

A returning missionary tells about his experiences in Montana where he baptized only one family but learned from, taught, and served many.

David Whitmer relates his account of seeing the gold plates with Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery. This video also depicts how the three men remained true to their testimonies.

This film was designed to introduce the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to people who are unacquainted with it and stresses the importance of the family and the worldwide nature of the church from all over the world.

The Saratov Approach is a 2013 American dramatic thriller film written and directed by Garrett Batty. It depicts the 1998 kidnapping of two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Saratov, Russia. It began a limited release on October 9, 2013, solely in Utah. Subsequently, the film was released throughout the Mormon Corridor.[1] On January 10, 2014, the film began an expanded limited release throughout the United States.[2][3] Plot It is March 1998, and two young missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Andrew Lee Propst (Maclain Nelson) and Travis Robert Tuttle (Corbin Allred), are serving in southeastern Russia. While out in the city of Saratov, the two are approached by a man named Nikolai (Nikita Bogolyubov) who asks them to come to his apartment to teach him and a friend about their faith. When the Elders arrive the next day, Nikolai and another man named Sergei (Alex Veadov) beat them, tie them up, and kidnap them. They drive to a remote location where the missionaries are handcuffed to a pipe, held at gunpoint, and photographed. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $300,000. Propst and Tuttle's families are informed of their sons' kidnapping; Propst's father receives a call from Senator Gordon H. Smith (Bart Johnson), who informs him that he is doing everything he can to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, in Russia, Propst and Tuttle spend five days in captivity. Propst is convinced that Nikolai will have compassion on them and eventually let them go, so he asks him for small favors, like food, a bathroom, and being moved to a more comfortable position - all of which Nikolai grants. Sergei is less kind; he grows impatient that the ransom money still hasn't been paid, and has the missionaries write to their families, in hopes that it will speed the payment of the ransom. Back in the U.S., news of the kidnappings spreads nationwide, and people of many faiths begin to pray for the two hostages. The Propst family receives an anonymous check for the demanded $300,000, but ultimately decide not to pay it, as it would encourage the kidnapping of more missionaries for easy money. The Tuttle family receives a call from Mark Larsen, who was kidnapped as a missionary in Argentina years earlier. Larsen explains that with time, the missionaries will develop more hope and faith and start to show compassion to their captors. This proves to be true; Propst manages to remove his handcuffs and devises a plan with Tuttle to escape, but the two then remember their purpose as a missionaries and put their cuffs back on instead of fighting their way out of captivity. Nikolai then confides in the Elders, confessing his guilt for kidnapping them; he explains that his girlfriend is pregnant, and he helped Sergei kidnap "rich Christians" so that he would have money to provide for a family. The Elders ask about a tattoo on Sergei's hand, which Nikolai tells them came from his days as a Russian Naval hero and means "forever loyal." The next morning, Sergei announces that their time is up, and drives Tuttle and Propst to a snowy field. As Sergei prepares to kill them, he notices that the missionaries have drawn markings on their hands similar to his tattoo, giving him pause. He and Nikolai drive away, leaving Tuttle and Propst to run away and find their way back to Saratov. Their families are informed that they have been freed, and that Nikolai and Sergei have been arrested by Russian officials. Propst and Tuttle speak over the phone to their families, and finish their missions elsewhere in Europe. Cast Corbin Allred as Elder Tuttle Maclain Nelson as Elder Propst Nikita Bogolyubov as Nikolai Alex Veadov as Sergei Bart Johnson as Senator Gordon H. Smith Production Director Garrett Batty had wanted to make a film about the kidnapping of the LDS missionaries ever since he first heard their story in the news. Years later, he contacted Propst and Tuttle with the intention of making a movie about their experiences in Russia; the two were skeptical at first, but met with Batty and shared their story. Batty wrote the script after his conversation with Propst and Tuttle, balancing the actual events with his own artistic vision for the film. Production hit multiple snags: Batty underwent heart surgery shortly after his meeting with Propst and Tuttle, and financial backing took a while to manifest.[3] The outdoor scenes set in Russia were filmed in Kiev, Ukraine, and the scenes of the missionaries' captivity and their families back home were filmed in Utah, USA.[4] Batty wrote, directed, and produced the film, along with producers Maclain Nelson, Jonathan T. Turner, and Jake Van Wagoner. Jeremy Prusso was the cinematographer, Connor O'Malley was the editor, Heather Reid was the production designer, and Robert Allen Elliott composed the film's score.[5] Reception The Salt Lake Tribune praised the film as having "quietly resolute strength."[4] The film was also praised by Deseret News[6] and Meridian Magazine.[7] The Standard-Examiner called the film "one of the best in the Mormon film genre".[8] A Motley Vision gave the movie a B+.[9] The Hollywood Reporter described it as "an item best suited to the believers."[10] The Los Angeles Times reached a similar conclusion, calling Saratov "soft and preachy."[11] Larry King, who had a private screening of the film,[1] described it as "intense, dramatic, [and] beautifully acted."[12] Variety reported that the film made "$500,000 in two weeks on only 23 screens."[1] The same article detailed the film's positive reception among younger Latter-day saints, particularly on social media, as well as requests from AMC, Cinemark, and Regal to host the film in more of their theaters.[1] Screen Daily reported that Saratov then made $1.4 million after four weeks.[2] It made $2.1 million overall after a 64-week theatrical release.[13] It was rated PG-13 for violence.[6]

God's Army is a 2000 American independent film written, directed by and features Richard Dutcher.[4][5] Plot God's Army is about LDS missionaries as they struggle with their work and, almost inevitably, their faith. The movie focuses on a pair of missionaries, Elder Allen (Brown) and Elder Dalton (Dutcher) serving as missionaries in Los Angeles, California ("elder" is an office in the priesthood and a title male LDS missionaries use while serving missions). Dalton is a seasoned missionary and Allen is a new recruit paired with Dalton to be trained. Allen questions his reason for being on a mission. He is a somewhat faithful member of the church, but his father was excommunicated from the church and his mother doesn't attend anymore. Dalton proves to be a demanding taskmaster and he demands much of Allen—almost too much in Allen's eyes. Allen teeters on the brink of leaving his two-year mission almost as soon as it begins. Allen witnesses another missionary lose his faith and abandon his own mission. Allen changes his mind as he finds the sacrifices others have made to be on a mission, such as ostricization from family. His own companion, Elder Dalton, dropped out of medical school to serve a mission and is fighting a losing battle with brain cancer. After a trial of his faith and some earnest soul searching, Allen finds untapped courage and embraces his work as a messenger of God. Main cast Matthew A. Brown as Elder Allen Richard Dutcher as Elder Dalton Jacque Gray as Sister Fronk Desean Terry as Elder Banks Michael Buster as Elder Kinegar Luis Robledo as Elder Sandoval "the Lamanite" Jeff Kelly as Elder Mangum John Pentecost as President Beecroft Lynne Carr as Sister Beecroft Production It was financed by private investors.[citation needed] Reception This movie was taken on a tour of North America for special engagements. It was primarily intended for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) audiences, but non-LDS viewers were also welcome to showings. The film was well received by its target LDS audience but was met with some confusion by non-LDS viewers. Many professional critics were pleased at Dutcher's willingness to address some of the more sensitive issues of the LDS Church, such as its past policy that restricted most black members from ordination to priesthood offices. They also enjoyed the look into missionaries' struggles and the work they face. Despite this, some felt the film was too apologetic. It currently has a Metacritic score of 38/100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews, and holds a score of 54% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews.[6] As of December 2014 the film's box office sales ranked 38th all-time among Christian films.[7]

Ephraim's Rescue is a religious historical drama film by T. C. Christensen, released in 2013 by Excel Entertainment Group. It is based on the true stories of Mormon pioneers Ephraim Hanks and Thomas Dobson and their experiences in the handcart brigades.[1] The film was released in select theaters across the United States in the spring of 2013. Plot The film focuses on the lives of Ephraim Hanks and Thomas Dobson, telling their stories in parallel. Hanks, a rebellious young man, joins the U.S. Navy after a violent confrontation with his father. Three years later, he returns home to find that his father has died and his brother Sidney has joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Believing Sidney to be in trouble, his mother sends Ephraim to go and save him, but Ephraim ends up converting also and is baptized by Sidney. At the same time, eight year old Thomas Dobson is baptized in his hometown of Preston, Lancashire and suffers for his faith. In 1856, a man announces that the Dobsons are departing for Zion (Utah) with the handcart brigade. Thomas, now an adult, has no desire to travel to an uncivilized area miles away from home, but his mother convinces him it is God's will. Ephraim Hanks joins the Mormon Battalion and becomes a prominent member of the church. When he hears the handcart people are in trouble, he agrees to go and help, where his story intersects with that of Dobson. Cast Darin Southam as Ephraim Hanks Richard Benedict as old Ephraim Hanks James Gaisford as Thomas Dobson Koleman Stinger as young Thomas Dobson Katherine Nelson as Alice Dobson Travis Eberhard as Albert Production Written and directed by T. C. Christensen, and produced by Ron Tanner and Christensen, Ephraim's Rescue debuted on May 31, 2013, in select theaters in Utah, and then across the United States. The film was subsequently released on DVD and Blu-ray for distribution by Excel Entertainment Group through Deseret Book and affiliated retailers.

Johnny Lingo is a 1969 short film directed by Wetzel O. Whitaker. The film and later remake are based on a short story by Patricia McGerr, originally published in a 1965 issue of Woman's Day. The 24-minute film was produced by Brigham Young University, but does not specifically mention The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) outside of the credits. Plot In the story, Johnny Lingo (played by MaKee K. Blaisdell) is a shrewd, honest, and well-liked Polynesian trader. Johnny has come home to bargain for a wife. Mahana (played by Naomi Kahoilua), the young woman he desires, is considered by her neighbors and even her father, Moki (played by Joseph Ah Quin), to be of little value—sullen, ugly, and undesirable. Blaming himself for not paying enough cows for Mahana's mother, her father treats her unkindly, such as yelling, "Mahana, you ugly!"[4] As the bargaining is about to begin, women of the island brag about how many cows their husbands had paid for each of them (see bride price), and comment that Mahana's father will be lucky to be offered one cow for her. The bargaining begins, and Moki asks Johnny Lingo for three cows, as Moki's counselor Me Hai advises. The islanders laugh derisively, then wait for Lingo to make his counter-offer, certain that he will make a devastating bargain. Johnny, pondering the offer, pronounces that "three cows are many... but not enough for Mahana!" He then offers the unheard-of price of eight cows for her hand in marriage.[2] After the bargaining, Johnny visits Mr. Harris, an American shopkeeper on the island, to offer him a valuable shell in exchange for a mirror. In their conversation, Mr. Harris is convinced that Johnny only paid so much to look good and be remembered. The next day, Moki and Me Hai, while waiting for Johnny to deliver the cows, convince themselves that Johnny reconsidered his deal and will not show up. In the end, Johnny brings the cows and marries Mahana that night, enduring some mocking for paying so much for a seemingly undesirable wife while Moki revels in his newfound prosperity. Johnny and Mahana then leave the island for many months on their honeymoon, visiting many islands. When they return, Harris discovers, to his astonishment, that Mahana is a beautiful, happy woman. Johnny recounts that Mahana's father had just accused Lingo of cheating him by saying, "[Mahana] is worth ten cows, if she's worth a hoof!" Johnny then explains that he has loved Mahana since they were children, and that he paid eight cows for Mahana, not to show off, but to make her happy and for her "to be an eight-cow woman." Johnny concludes with "Many things can happen to make a woman beautiful, but the thing that matters most is what she thinks of herself." Johnny leaves Harris, and he and Mahana walk on the beach together. Cast Makee K. Blaisdell - Johnny Lingo[2] Naomi Kahoilua - Mahana[2] Francis L. Urry - Trader Harris[2] Joseph Ah Quin - Moki Joseph R. TeNgaio - Me Hai, Moki's Counselor Malofou Maumasi - Tulo Production The film was based on the 1965 short story, "Johnny Lingo and the Eight-Cow Wife", written by author Patricia McGerr and published in Woman's Day magazine.[5] The story has been frequently reprinted, including in The Australian Women's Weekly,[6] The Instructor,[7] and Reader's Digest,[8] as well as by assorted books and websites (sometimes condensed or attributed to other authors).[9] In the short story, told from the perspective of a visitor to the fictional Pacific islands of "Kiniwata" and "Nurabandi" while on leave from assignment in Japan, the character of Mahana is instead named "Sarita", while her father is referred to as "Sam Karoo."[6] Filmed in Hawaii in November 1968 and featuring mostly local LDS Church members, the film was directed by Wetzel O. ("Judge") Whitaker, then head of the Brigham Young University's Department of Motion Picture Production. Whitaker stated that "the setting is mythical to give it universal appeal" and the village set was constructed by two BYU (then Church College of Hawaii) students, Tuione Pulotu and Vuna Fa, to not be identifiable as belonging to any particular island group. LaMar Williams, head of the audio-visual section of the LDS Church Missionary Department, commented that "The Church is only mentioned in the production credits so it is a film that could be put on coast to coast television."[10] Influence and remake The film is licensed by Covenant Communications, and is sold on DVD by Brigham Young University's Creative Works Office.[11] The 1993 book Hana, the No-Cow Wife continues the story and shows its effect on another, somewhat prideful young woman.[12] In the summer of 2001, the Salt Lake Acting Company staged a live parody performance of Johnny Lingo as that year's episode of their annual theatrical spoof series Saturday's Voyeur. The act was titled Mahana, You Ugly. A 2003 remake of this film called The Legend of Johnny Lingo was directed by Steven Ramirez and financed by the Utah-based Tahitian Noni International.[13] Criticism Johnny Lingo has been criticized as having strong elements of sexism and colonialism. The film has been criticized for "[hinging] on the idea that a woman’s self-esteem is based on the price she commands in a financial transaction between men, not on any internal sense of who she is."[14] Rather than being recognized as “industrious”, or any other personal characteristic, Lingo notes, after he has paid eight cows for Mahana, "she now knows, she is worth more than any other woman on the island".[15] Writer Holly Welker comments further, “[the movie] does not view the buying and selling of women as property as essentially or inherently wrong.” [16]

The Legend of Johnny Lingo is a 2003 film set in Polynesia and directed by Steven Ramirez. It is an extension of the 1969 short film Johnny Lingo that is based on a story by Patricia McGerr. Plot An orphaned baby boy is found in a beached canoe after a great storm and is adopted by Mailo, the island chief. Malio declares his intent to raise the baby, who he names Tama, as his heir, even though he already has a son. The chief's wife begins to spread rumors that Tama is sent from the trickster god to cause trouble. After a string of unlucky incidents causes Malio to conclude that Tama is cursed, he becomes an outcast, passed from family to family around the island. At one point, a drunk villager, Pioi, takes Tama in. He has a daughter named Mahana who is considered ugly by the other islanders. Even though she is ill-treated by her father and the people around her, she remains kind and good and befriends Tama. One day, Tama, disgusted with life in Pioi's household and his status as an outcast, decides to leave the island in a canoe he built. Before departing, he promises Mahana that he will come back and care for her. Caught in a violent storm, Tama drifts ashore on an island which proves to be the home of a well-known and respected Polynesian trader, Johnny Lingo. Though Johnny is kind and welcoming, Tama's years of rejection have made him suspicious, particularly of Johnny's gruff chief steward, and he decides to leave. After stealing jewelry from Johnny's treasury and trying to escape, he is sentenced to work for Johnny for the next seven years to pay off his debt. He invents some simple machines that enable him to finish his work faster and, through his diligence, earns Johnny's respect. Eight years later, Johnny decides that a now adult Tama is ready to accompany him to a nearby island to conclude an important trade. During the course of their reception, Tama accidentally offends the people of the island and they take Johnny hostage, demanding payment for Tama's offense. Tama single-handedly navigates back to Johnny's home to obtain a cow from his herd for the ransom, winning the trust of the chief steward in the process. Johnny, Tama, and the chief steward are invited to be the guests of honour at the chief's son's wedding, where Tama learns that he is actually the heir to the chiefdom of a neighbouring island. He initially accepts the chiefdom but eventually decides that he is happier working for Johnny. After they return to his home, Johnny confides to Tama that he is dying and leaves to him his name and fortune. As the new Johnny Lingo, Tama sends the chief steward ahead of him to Malio's island to determine what has happened to Mahana. He then arrives himself, announcing that he intends to choose a bride from among the island's young women. A great feast is planned for that night so that he can meet them all. That night, all are present at the feast except Mahana. Tama goes to Pioi's home looking for her, but she meets him on the way and rejects him, not recognizing him as the boy who had left so many years earlier. The next day, he meets her again and she tells him that every day for eight years, she has waited at the island's shore for Tama to return, but that she believes he lied about coming back and now hates him. Unwilling to give up, Tama announces that he will barter with Pioi to marry Mahana. At the bartering ceremony, Pioi, whose health has deteriorated badly, asks for two cows as Mahana's dowry, which would be the richest dowry in the history of the islands. Tama, however, offers eight cows instead. Mahana is furious, thinking Tama is mocking her, and she storms out of the bartering ceremony. Outside, though, are the eight cows. While Pioi rejoices over his new fortune, Mahana confronts Tama, demanding to know why he offered such a high price. Believing that she no longer loves him as Tama and openly hates him as Johnny Lingo, Tama releases her from the bridal agreement and tells her to keep the cows and use the fortune to care for her father. However, Mahana realises that Tama is wearing the armband she had given him when he left the island as a boy. Finally recognizing him, she feigns anger at his long absence and slaps him, but they then embrace happily. The film concludes with Tama relating the story to a writer, surrounded by his happy family. Cast George Henare – Johnny Lingo Rawiri Paratene – Malio Chief Joe Folau – Tama Alvin Fitisemanu – Chief Steward Kayte Ferguson – Mahana Peter Sa'ena-Brown – Miriama's Father Hori Ahipene – Pioi Jim Perry – Malio Elder Sima Urale – Hoku Goeretti Chadwick – Malio Seductress Tausani Simei-Barton – Young Tama Fokikovi Soakimi – Young Mahana

Brigham City is a 2001 murder mystery independent film. It was written and directed by Richard Dutcher, who also plays in the main role of Sheriff Wes Clayton. It was financed by private investors. Because of the in-movie descriptions of geography and population, it depicts a fictional Utah town of Brigham City rather than the actual town of Brigham City. It was filmed in Mapleton, Utah. Plot Wes Clayton (Richard Dutcher) is the town sheriff of the small, idyllic town of Brigham City, Utah. Clayton is a devout Latter-Day Saint who is one of seventeen bishops in the town. In Clayton's entire career, there have never been any serious or heinous crimes reported in Brigham City, and generally remains optimistic about the town's friendly nature. His only staff are the witty Peg, his receptionist, Stu (Wilford Brimley), the elderly former sheriff of Brigham City, and Terry, a young and idealistic deputy. While driving with Terry one day, they stumble upon the body of a young women who has been beaten to death in an isolated shack off the road. Since Wes has no experience in murder investigations and because he wants to keep the murder's influence out of his town, he calls in the FBI from their closest office in Salt Lake City, Utah. Among the two agents sent is Meredith, who confides to Clayton that the killer is likely someone within Brigham City, a claim Clayton doesn't believe. The subsequent investigation turns up little evidence, mostly due to Clayton's lack of resources, but tries to keep up with it as best he can. During the night after a local parade and festival, the body of a local beauty pageant queen is found under a gazebo, raped and strangled. Shocked, Clayton decides to deputize Stu and expands his search to within Brigham City, starting with some migrant workers working for Ralph, a local contractor for Brigham City. Clayton and his team organize an effort to gather fingerprints to test against those found at the crime scenes, using beer bottles collected from a local bar. After collecting all of the bottles, Clayton leaves the team to their respective duties. While on his way back, Stu visits a convenience store and stumbles upon an apparent robbery, finding the store's clerk, a local girl named Jamie, tied up. Before he can act, Stu is shot to death by the killer, who takes Jamie with him. Clayton visits the scene and, at his wits end, decides that the killer is indeed someone within Brigham City and not an outsider. At the police station, Peg confides to Meredith that Clayton is dedicated to the job because he was involved in a fatal car accident that killed his wife and son, and put him into a coma for several days. Knowing what people can lose, Peg declares, keeps Clayton at work. The following morning, Clayton organizes most male church members and orders them to inquire at every house and search the property for Jamie. This causes a rift within the community, especially when one house, the home to a photographer and his mother, is particularly against them searching. Forcing himself in, Clayton discovers the man's collection of pornography, but finds nothing relating him to Jamie or the murders. Later that night and disheartened at his actions, Clayton returns to the bottles gathered from the bar and resumes collecting the fingerprints off them. Among the containers tested is a thermos brought by Peg's boyfriend, but they turn up nothing. Clayton later visits Terry's house and talks to him about the fingerprinting efforts. Clayton reveals that he tested Terry's fingerprints from the office and connects him to a criminal who was incarcerated for rape in Arizona several years ago. Clayton deduces that after "Terry" was released, he assumed the identity of a returned missionary who died in a drowning accident, and moved to Brigham City under this new persona. "Terry" admits his guilt and is revealed to be involved with multiple disappearances of other young women around the area, as well as the murders. "Terry" admits Jamie is dead, and put her body, along with the others who haven't been found, in a secluded area within a nearby forest. Preparing to arrest "Terry", Clayton is forced to kill him in front of "Terry's" wife when "Terry" draws a gun on Clayton, with his wife hysterically telling Clayton to leave. With the investigation finally over, Clayton is emotionally drained, and during Sunday's church service, refuses to partake of the sacrament, feeling he does not deserve it. Everyone else sees this and also refuses to take the sacrament, showing that Clayton is not at fault for his actions. Clayton begins to cry at this sight and finally takes the sacrament as everyone else follows with him. Reception The film has a 71% "Fresh" rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 24 reviews.[3] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 62 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[4] Lawrence Van Gelder of The New York Times praised the acting of Dutcher, Brown, Brimley, and Morgan, calling it "impeccable." He also described the film as, "an example of concise, skillful filmmaking."[5] Welcome to Brigham In 2001, an album of music inspired by the motion picture was released on cd. Dutcher said the songs allowed him to "experience the film through the eyes of other artists and live the story one more time."[6] The participating artists: Maren Ord Peter Breinholt Cherie Call Sunfall Festival Greg Simpson Kalai Julie de Azevedo Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband Shane Jackman

Congo Jazz is a Looney Tunes cartoon starring Warner Bros.' first cartoon star, Bosko.[1] The cartoon was released on August 9, 1930.[2] It was distributed by Warner Bros. and The Vitaphone Corporation. Congo Jazz was the first cartoon to feature Bosko's falsetto voice that he would use for the bulk of the series' run (the previous Bosko short, Sinkin' in the Bathtub, had used a derisive African-American dialect). It has the earliest instance of a "trombone gobble" in animation. Plot As Bosko is hunting in the jungle, a tiger creeps up behind him and gives him a lick. Finding his gun useless, Bosko tries to flee. After being chased and having his body stretched and his head slapped off, Bosko pulls out a flute and begins playing music, which greatly entertains the tiger. Bosko and the tiger play patty cake, dance, and Bosko plays the tiger's whiskers and tail like guitar strings. Now that the tiger has been rendered thoroughly harmless, Bosko kicks it off a cliff. Bosko then spots two little monkeys playing leap frog. He picks one of them up, but the monkey spits in his eye. Bosko begins spanking the monkey's behind, until he notices the monkey's father looming above him. Acting nonchalant, Bosko offers the ape some chewing gum. The ape accepts, and seems to enjoy the gum very much. They both stretch the gum out of their mouths and begin plucking a tune. The rest of the jungle animals join in: monkeys, ostriches, kangaroos, and more. They play music on themselves, on each other, or with the jungle scenery. A kangaroo plays a tree, monkeys play a giraffe, and an elephant plays its trunk. A tree does a provocative fanny-slapping dance, gyrating its coconut bosoms, until one flies off and hits Bosko in the head. Bosko and three hyenas laugh. Credits Supervision by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising Musical Score by Frank Marsales Animated by Max Maxwell and Paul Smith Cast Carman Maxwell: Bosko Song "When the Little Red Roses Get the Blues for You" arr. Frank Marsales.

The Trip to Bountiful is a 1985 American road drama film directed by Peter Masterson and starring Geraldine Page, John Heard, Carlin Glynn, Richard Bradford and Rebecca De Mornay. It was adapted by Horton Foote from his 1953 play of the same name. The film features a soundtrack by J.A.C. Redford featuring Will Thompson's "Softly and Tenderly" sung by Cynthia Clawson.[2] Geraldine Page won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Mrs. Watts and Horton Foote was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film is partially set in the titular community of Bountiful, a fictitious Texas town. Although part of the film is set in Houston, Texas (as was the original play), the movie was shot in Dallas. Plot The film, set in the post-World War II 1940s, tells the story of an elderly woman, Carrie Watts, who wants to return to her home, the small, rural, agriculture-based town of Bountiful near the Texas Gulf coast between Houston and Corpus Christi, where she grew up, but she's frequently stopped from leaving Houston by her daughter-in-law and her overprotective son, who will not let her travel alone. Her son and daughter-in-law both know that the town has long since disappeared, due to the Depression. Long-term out-migration was caused by the draw-down of all the town's able-bodied men to the wartime draft calls and by the demand for industrial workers in the war production plants of the big cities. Old Mrs. Watts is determined to outwit her son and bossy daughter-in-law, and sets out to catch a train, only to find that trains do not go to Bountiful anymore. She eventually boards a bus to a town near her childhood home. On the journey, she befriends a woman traveling alone and reminisces about her younger years and grieves for her lost relatives. Her son and daughter-in-law eventually track her down, with the help of the local police force; however, Mrs. Watts is determined. The local sheriff, moved by her yearning to visit her girlhood home, offers to drive her out to what remains of Bountiful. The town is deserted and the few remaining structures are derelict. Mrs. Watts learns that the last occupant of the town and the woman with whom she had hoped to live, has recently died. She is moved to tears as she surveys her father's land and the remains of the family home. Having accepted the reality of the current condition of Bountiful and knowing that she has reached her goal of returning there before dying, she is ready to return to Houston when her son and daughter-in-law arrive to drive her back. Having confronted their common history in Bountiful, the three commit to live more peacefully together. They begin their drive back to Houston. Cast Geraldine Page as Mrs. Watts John Heard as Ludie Watts Carlin Glynn as Jessie Mae Richard Bradford as Sheriff Rebecca De Mornay as Thelma Kevin Cooney as Roy Norman Bennett as First Bus Ticket Man Harvey Lewis as Second Bus Ticket Man Kirk Sisco as Train Ticket Agent Gil Glasgow as Stationmaster, Gerard Mary Kay Mars as Rosella Wezz Tildon as Bus Passenger Peggy Ann Byers as Downstairs Neighbor David Romo as Mexican Man Tony Torn as Twin John Torn as Twin Alexandra Masterson as Drugstore Waitress Don Wyse as Doctor Reception Critical response Geraldine Page's performance received positive reviews, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress. The Trip to Bountiful received a very positive response from film critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 100% from 10 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. Geraldine Page received particular praise for her performance as Mrs. Watts. Variety called the film "a superbly crafted drama featuring the performance of a lifetime by Geraldine Page."[3] Vincent Canby of The New York Times described it as a "funny, exquisitely performed film adaptation of [Foote's] own play" and wrote of Page, "Her Mrs. Watts is simultaneously hilarious and crafty, sentimental and unexpectedly tough." He added, "It's a wonderful role, and the performance ranks with the best things Miss Page has done on the screen."[4] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times similarly observed that "Page inhabits the central role with authority and vinegar," writing, "She's not just a sweet and gentle little old lady. She's a big old lady, with a streak of stubbornness. And just because she's right doesn't mean she's always all that nice."[5] Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times further remarked, "Carrie [Watts] is a performance, a precisely conceived and calculated turn by a gifted professional always aware of what she is doing and the effects she's creating. But the test of acting always is that you forget this, surrendering to the certainty that you have been transported back to 1947 and that dark apartment, and are then riding the bus toward Bountiful in the company of this warm and loving old woman. The film gives us an unforgettable portrayal."[6] Vincent Canby later included The Trip to Bountiful in his list of the top ten films of 1985.[7] The Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa cited The Trip to Bountiful as one of his favorite films.[8][9] Awards and nominations Award Category Recipients and nominees Result Academy Awards[10] Best Actress Geraldine Page Won Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Horton Foote Nominated Boston Society of Film Critics Awards[11] Best Actress Geraldine Page Won Golden Globe Awards[12] Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated Independent Spirit Awards[13] Best Film Sterling Van Wagenen and Horton Foote Nominated Best Director Peter Masterson Nominated Best Female Lead Geraldine Page Won Best Screenplay Horton Foote Won Mainichi Film Awards[14] Best Foreign Language Film Peter Masterson Won National Board of Review Awards[15] Top Ten Films 3rd Place New York Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actress Geraldine Page 3rd Place Retirement Research Foundation, USA Television and Theatrical Film Fiction Horton Foote and Sterling Van Wagenen Won Writers Guild of America Awards Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium Horton Foote Nominated Home media On April 12, 2005, MGM released The Trip to Bountiful on DVD in region 1 US in both a widescreen and a full-frame format on a two-sided disc. In the United Kingdom, the film was initially released in late 1986 on VHS via Vestron Video,[16] while it has been available multiple times on DVD on region 2 in the UK; first distributed by Arrow Films in a standard full-frame format edition on February 7, 2005,[17] while on February 6, 2006, it was made available via Prism in the same full-frame version.[18] Its most recent DVD release was on December 15, 2008, when it was distributed by Boulevard Entertainment.[19] Kino Lorber released The Trip to Bountiful on Blu-ray Region A on September 25, 2018.[20][21]

Il vecchio testamento, released in English as The Old Testament, and in Spanish, Los Macabeos (The Maccabees), is a 1962 Italian/French widescreen international co-production epic film shot in Yugoslavia. It is based on the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire of Syrian of 167–141 BC. It was directed and co-written by Gianfranco Parolini and starred Brad Harris in one of their frequent collaborations. Plot The film is a very loose and free retelling of the Maccabean Revolt. The Greek Syrians demand that Zeus be worshiped in the Temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish priest Mattathias calls for resistance; Mattathias and his followers revolt and flee into the desert. In the wilderness, the Syrian government forces and Mattathias's rebels clash, a battle that claims many lives. Judas Maccabeus, the son of Mattathias, assumes command for a time of them, but he too falls in battle and his brother Jonathan Apphus takes over. After Jonathan's death, his brother Simon Thassi takes his place. Eventually, the Jews under Simon recapture Jerusalem and expel the Syrians. Simon celebrates the victory with his people. A Syrian woman, his bride, stands by his side. In a speech he announces that the captured Syrian soldiers are to be released so that they can report on the power and leniency of the Jews. A notable difference the film has is that it seemingly portrays the hostile Antiochus IV Epiphanes as more of a local governor than a distant king. The movie also extends his term as villain, as he is around to oppose the Maccabees during the whole movie; in history, he died before Judas did and was replaced by other Syrian kings and commanders. The film also gives romance stories and women a larger role than the rather patriarchal book of 1 Maccabees, which generally kept women in the background and unnamed. Cast In the American release several of the cast were credited with surnames of American actors who had appeared in Biblical films such "John (Charlton) Heston" and "Susan (Debra) Paget". Brad Harris ... Simon Thassi Djordje Nenadovic ... Judas Maccabeus Ivano Staccioli ...Antiochus IV Epiphanes Franca Parisi ... Miza Mara Lane ... Diotima Philippe Hersent ... Namele Carlo Tamberlani ... Mattathias Jacques Berthier ... Apollonius, military commander of Seleucid Empire Alan Steel