Feature Friday: A Man Called Peter
A few years ago, during my readings, I came across a book about a Scottish minister that ended up in Washington D.C. as pastor of the Church of the Presidents during the 1940's. His name was Peter Marshall. And his wife, Catherine, had written the book. It was: A Man Called Peter.
It was a short book (I finished it in a couple of sittings), but it was well written. I found myself interested in this man of faith, and how God used him to influence those around him. His was a story I enjoyed, and longed to emulate.
About a year later, Heather and I started the Beacon, a bi-monthly newsletter for our singles class. Though I ended up being more of a co-editor, originally, the plan was for me to write book reviews. When she asked what book I'd like to start with, Marshall's story came to mind.
The column was a hit, and led to a fun (although short) stint as a reviewer, one that lit the spark that eventually led me to start this site.
Those of you who read that 1st issue (all 6 of you), know that I promised to review the movie version "someday." Well, your patience has paid off.
Title: A Man Called Peter
Year: 1955
Director: Henry Koster
Staring: Richard Todd, Jean Peters, Marjorie Rambeau, Jill Esmond, Les Tremayne, Robert Burton, Gladys Hurlbut, Richard Garrick, Gloria Gordon, Billy Chapin
The outskirts of Scotland during the turn of the last century, with it's poverty and desolation, was probably not the best environment for young Peter Marshall to grow up in. With a yearning to go to sea, to explore the world, having to stay in school was the worst punishment imaginable. But, a degree was promised to his mother, and Peter would not disappoint her. Though it would be difficult to come up with the money for university.
During his final semester, making his way from one of his many jobs, Peter (Todd) is on his way to class when he finds himself walking through a heavy fog. He hears a voice calling to him from outside his field of vision. It tells him to halt. Unable to find the source of the voice, Peter trips over a tree root. Just then, a small patch of the fog clears and Peter can see that he was heading toward the face of a cliff.
Convinced that it was the voice of God that saved him, Peter dedicates the rest of his life to his Maker.
We next find Peter a few years later, as pastor of Atlanta's Westminster Presbyterian Church. It is here that he aggress to run a rally in hopes of appealing to Atlanta's wayward youth. He calls on support from nearby Agnes Scott College, and is introduced to the person who will change his life forever, a student named Catherine Wood (Peters).
Impressed by Peter's humility and wit and natural charisma, Catherine soon finds herself falling in love with him. But it would take 3 more years for Peter to admit his true feelings. On November 4, 1936, Catherine and Peter were married.
Catherine soon finds herself in Washington D.C., with Peter serving as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Church of the Presidents. And though Peter readily identified with the needs of the common working man, all is not smooth sailing. Miss Laura Fowler (Rambeau), is a wealthy patron of the church, and self-elected thorn in Peter's side. Her family has been members of the church since Lincoln's day, and she'll not see a Scottish immigrant bring a touch of ordinary into her scared place of worship.
However, not all is doom and gloom. Despite his humble background, Marshall continues to fill the pews to capacity each and every Sunday. And, he's made friends with several of the parishioners, including Senator Willis K. Harvey (Tremayne).
It is a dark time for America, as the war in Europe is hitting too close to home. Feeling led by God, Peter changes his sermon to the young cadets at Annapolis on a cold December Sunday to reflect on death and the afterlife. In a few short hours, that day will be forever remembered as a day of infamy.
Throughout the war, life goes on. Catherine gives birth to a son, Peter John (Chapin), and Peter suffers a heart attack while at the pulpit. Peter tries to take it easy, but is stopped cold when Catherine is diagnosed with tuberculosis. The only treatment at the time was total rest. Doctors assured her she would be well in three or four months, but two years later her situation remained unchanged.
Forced to accept that she has to turn everything over to God, she summits. Just as Peter comes to the same realization. Both come closer to each other, and to God.
At the invitation of Harvey, Peter accepts the role of Senate Chaplain in 1947 and again in 1949.
He would suffer a fatal heart attack in January of 1949, but his legacy and devotion to God would live on through his family and through his words.
An editorial in the Washington Evening Star captured the true spirit of Peter Marshall's brief but impassioned ministry:
"Living and working in Washington only eleven years, the Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall nevertheless has left his mark upon the whole city. He was a man of contagious spirit, eager and alert, quick to see opportunities of service and to meet their challenge....In classic language, he was a builder of the kingdom of God on this earth."
Richard Todd did such a wonderful job at bringing Marshall to life, that you forget you're watching a movie. Todd spent hours reading and listening to Marshall's sermons before taking on the role, and it shows. The film could have easily tipped into pious, but never does, mainly due to Todd's performance and Koster's typically smooth direction.
Jean Peters brings a wonderful presence to the piece as Catherine. Her narrative sets up the movie, as it also does in the book, and she pulls it off perfectly. And while it was rare to see chemistry between actors during the 50's, Peters and Todd have a lasting bond that comes through.
It is a great book, and a wonderful family film, one which I watch every year on Easter. I hope you will do the same this year.
-Jos
"...if God can do so much for a man called Peter, he can do as much for you." ~Catherine Marshall
It was a short book (I finished it in a couple of sittings), but it was well written. I found myself interested in this man of faith, and how God used him to influence those around him. His was a story I enjoyed, and longed to emulate.
About a year later, Heather and I started the Beacon, a bi-monthly newsletter for our singles class. Though I ended up being more of a co-editor, originally, the plan was for me to write book reviews. When she asked what book I'd like to start with, Marshall's story came to mind.
The column was a hit, and led to a fun (although short) stint as a reviewer, one that lit the spark that eventually led me to start this site.
Those of you who read that 1st issue (all 6 of you), know that I promised to review the movie version "someday." Well, your patience has paid off.
Title: A Man Called Peter
Year: 1955
Director: Henry Koster
Staring: Richard Todd, Jean Peters, Marjorie Rambeau, Jill Esmond, Les Tremayne, Robert Burton, Gladys Hurlbut, Richard Garrick, Gloria Gordon, Billy Chapin
The outskirts of Scotland during the turn of the last century, with it's poverty and desolation, was probably not the best environment for young Peter Marshall to grow up in. With a yearning to go to sea, to explore the world, having to stay in school was the worst punishment imaginable. But, a degree was promised to his mother, and Peter would not disappoint her. Though it would be difficult to come up with the money for university.
During his final semester, making his way from one of his many jobs, Peter (Todd) is on his way to class when he finds himself walking through a heavy fog. He hears a voice calling to him from outside his field of vision. It tells him to halt. Unable to find the source of the voice, Peter trips over a tree root. Just then, a small patch of the fog clears and Peter can see that he was heading toward the face of a cliff.
Convinced that it was the voice of God that saved him, Peter dedicates the rest of his life to his Maker.
We next find Peter a few years later, as pastor of Atlanta's Westminster Presbyterian Church. It is here that he aggress to run a rally in hopes of appealing to Atlanta's wayward youth. He calls on support from nearby Agnes Scott College, and is introduced to the person who will change his life forever, a student named Catherine Wood (Peters).
Impressed by Peter's humility and wit and natural charisma, Catherine soon finds herself falling in love with him. But it would take 3 more years for Peter to admit his true feelings. On November 4, 1936, Catherine and Peter were married.
Catherine soon finds herself in Washington D.C., with Peter serving as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Church of the Presidents. And though Peter readily identified with the needs of the common working man, all is not smooth sailing. Miss Laura Fowler (Rambeau), is a wealthy patron of the church, and self-elected thorn in Peter's side. Her family has been members of the church since Lincoln's day, and she'll not see a Scottish immigrant bring a touch of ordinary into her scared place of worship.
However, not all is doom and gloom. Despite his humble background, Marshall continues to fill the pews to capacity each and every Sunday. And, he's made friends with several of the parishioners, including Senator Willis K. Harvey (Tremayne).
It is a dark time for America, as the war in Europe is hitting too close to home. Feeling led by God, Peter changes his sermon to the young cadets at Annapolis on a cold December Sunday to reflect on death and the afterlife. In a few short hours, that day will be forever remembered as a day of infamy.
Throughout the war, life goes on. Catherine gives birth to a son, Peter John (Chapin), and Peter suffers a heart attack while at the pulpit. Peter tries to take it easy, but is stopped cold when Catherine is diagnosed with tuberculosis. The only treatment at the time was total rest. Doctors assured her she would be well in three or four months, but two years later her situation remained unchanged.
Forced to accept that she has to turn everything over to God, she summits. Just as Peter comes to the same realization. Both come closer to each other, and to God.
At the invitation of Harvey, Peter accepts the role of Senate Chaplain in 1947 and again in 1949.
He would suffer a fatal heart attack in January of 1949, but his legacy and devotion to God would live on through his family and through his words.
An editorial in the Washington Evening Star captured the true spirit of Peter Marshall's brief but impassioned ministry:
"Living and working in Washington only eleven years, the Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall nevertheless has left his mark upon the whole city. He was a man of contagious spirit, eager and alert, quick to see opportunities of service and to meet their challenge....In classic language, he was a builder of the kingdom of God on this earth."
Richard Todd did such a wonderful job at bringing Marshall to life, that you forget you're watching a movie. Todd spent hours reading and listening to Marshall's sermons before taking on the role, and it shows. The film could have easily tipped into pious, but never does, mainly due to Todd's performance and Koster's typically smooth direction.
Jean Peters brings a wonderful presence to the piece as Catherine. Her narrative sets up the movie, as it also does in the book, and she pulls it off perfectly. And while it was rare to see chemistry between actors during the 50's, Peters and Todd have a lasting bond that comes through.
It is a great book, and a wonderful family film, one which I watch every year on Easter. I hope you will do the same this year.
-Jos
"...if God can do so much for a man called Peter, he can do as much for you." ~Catherine Marshall
posted by Josh at
1:24 PM
1 Comments:
I have always taken every opportunity that presented itself to watch this movie. It's not overly sentimental and manages to capture the passion of the man. It is a nice movie to watch for an Easter tradition.
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Anonymous, At
7:51 PM
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