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| cinematography = [[Julian C. Townsend]]
| cinematography = [[Julian C. Townsend]]
| editing = [[Angelo Ross]]
| editing = [[Angelo Ross]]
| studio = [[Gateway Productions]]<br />[[Responsible Entertainment]]
| studio = QED Productions<br>Dick Ross and Associaties
| distributor = Gateway Films (U.S.)<br />[[20th Century Fox]] (UK)
| distributor = Gateway Films (U.S.)<br />[[20th Century Fox]] (UK)
| released = {{Film date|1970|6|17|U.S.}}
| released = {{Film date|1970|6|17|U.S.}}
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'''The Cross and the Switchblade''' is a 1970 [[Crime film]] starring [[Pat Boone]] as [[David Wilkerson]] and [[Erik Estrada]] as [[Nicky Cruz]], the teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based on a non-fiction book of the same name, ''[[The Cross and the Switchblade]]''.
'''The Cross and the Switchblade''' is a 1970 [[Crime film]] starring [[Pat Boone]] as [[David Wilkerson]] and [[Erik Estrada]] as [[Nicky Cruz]], the teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based on a non-fiction book of the same name, ''[[The Cross and the Switchblade]]''.<ref>CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, The
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 39, Iss. 456, (Jan 1, 1972): 248. </ref>


== Summary ==
== Summary ==
Line 49: Line 50:
| [[Gil Frazier]] || Big Cat
| [[Gil Frazier]] || Big Cat
|}
|}
==Production==
By 1968 Wilkerson's book had sold more than four million copies.<ref>Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited: Rehabilitation Figures Amazingly High From National Teen Challenge Centers Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited
THRAPP, DAN L. Los Angeles Times 14 Apr 1968: g4. </ref> By 1975 that figure would be over six millino.<ref>36 BEST-SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOKS
Los Angeles Times 28 July 1975: c3. </ref>


In June 1969 Don Murray was working on a screenplay.<ref>Youth Rally-Will Feature TV Actor
Los Angeles Times 29 June 1969: oc14. </ref> The film was produced by Dick Ross and Associates and QED Productions. Ross had spent 15 years making films for Billy Graham's organisation.<ref>Mr. Clean of Filmland
Los Angeles Times 11 Aug 1970: b1. </ref> The American Baptist Convention helped distribute the film.<ref>Digest Making Movies Fit for Its Readers
By PAUL GARDNERSpecial to The New York Times. 8 Sep 1972: 38. </ref>

Filming took place in Harlem in October 1969. "I've been trying to get this story filmed for five years," said Boone. "Working in Harlem has been wonderful - everyone, including the police, has been very cooperative. Maybe they sense this isn't a religious or a 'church' drama."<ref>Dennis Hopper's 'Last Movie'
By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 12 Oct 1969: D15</ref>

It was the first credit for Erik Estrada.<ref>Erik Estrada changes his luck with 'CHiPs'
Beck, Andee. Chicago Tribune 16 July 1978: i3. </ref>
==Reception==
==Reception==
The film received positive reviews from Christians and moviegoers alike. Pat Boone regards the film as one of his favourites. "I took a huge gamble with that film," he says. "Financially it didn't pay off because I did it for next to nothing - I virtually did it as a charity but I don't regret it at all. Within its limitations it was a very well made film."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pNQylJinyQsC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=%22pat+boone%22+%22yellow+canary%22+interview&source=bl&ots=dOr7i3jDh9&sig=04xgzHibPnIZOlNLzBLbIzqP4JI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCvbKjz9rJAhUIxWMKHWhlCJ0Q6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=%22pat%20boone%22%20%22yellow%20canary%22%20interview&f=false]</ref>
The film received positive reviews from Christians and moviegoers alike. Pat Boone regards the film as one of his favourites. "I took a huge gamble with that film," he says. "Financially it didn't pay off because I did it for next to nothing - I virtually did it as a charity but I don't regret it at all. Within its limitations it was a very well made film."<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pNQylJinyQsC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=%22pat+boone%22+%22yellow+canary%22+interview&source=bl&ots=dOr7i3jDh9&sig=04xgzHibPnIZOlNLzBLbIzqP4JI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCvbKjz9rJAhUIxWMKHWhlCJ0Q6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=%22pat%20boone%22%20%22yellow%20canary%22%20interview&f=false}}</ref>


The ''Los Angeles Times'' said the film was "hard to take" adding that Boone was "unconvincing" as Wilkerson. "Dressed and groomed like a movie star throughout [he] is the biggest obstacle of all to the suspension of disbelief."<ref>'Switchblade Goes Into N.Y. Ghettos
Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 3 June 1970: e19.</ref> The critic for the ''New York Times'' said "I liked it... the script... has a pungent, savy edge and some amusing dialogue.. the colour photography is excellent... three of the youngsters can really act"<ref>Pat Boone Plays Preacher-Hero in 'Cross and Switchblade'
Thompson, Howard. New York Times 8 June 1972: 61. </ref>
=== Box office ===
=== Box office ===
The film was a box office success aired in 30 languages in 150 countries.<ref> Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, ''Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986'', NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 159</ref>
The film was a box office success aired in 30 languages in 150 countries.<ref> Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, ''Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986'', NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 159</ref>


A comic book version of the film was also issued.<ref>Jughead, Archie and Their Friends Get Religion and Help in Spreading the Word
By EDWARD B. FISKE. New York Times ]23 Aug 1973: 39. </ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 04:39, 29 August 2019

The Cross and the Switchblade
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDon Murray
Screenplay byDon Murray
James Bonnet
Produced byKen Curtis
Tom Harris
Dick Ross
StarringPat Boone
Erik Estrada
Jacqueline Giroux
Jo-Ann Robinson
Dino de Filippi
CinematographyJulian C. Townsend
Edited byAngelo Ross
Music byRalph Carmichael
Production
companies
QED Productions
Dick Ross and Associaties
Distributed byGateway Films (U.S.)
20th Century Fox (UK)
Release date
  • June 17, 1970 (1970-06-17) (U.S.)
Running time
106 min. (approx.)
LanguageEnglish

The Cross and the Switchblade is a 1970 Crime film starring Pat Boone as David Wilkerson and Erik Estrada as Nicky Cruz, the teen gang member whose life was transformed by Wilkerson's ministry. The film was based on a non-fiction book of the same name, The Cross and the Switchblade.[1]

Summary

In 1958, pentecostal pastor David Wilkerson's of Assemblies of God is touched by an article in Life Magazine about seven teenagers who are members of a criminal gang.[2][3][4] Alone and with little money, he will go to Brooklyn, sometimes at the risk of his life, to talk about Jesus with members of street gang.[5] A meeting will particularly mark him, that of Nicky Cruz, a member of a street gang, the "Mau maus".

Plot

The film is based on the true story of David Wilkerson (Pat Boone), a small-town preacher who gets caught in the shadows of a crime-ridden neighborhood in New York City.[6][7] He encounters the Mau Maus, a gang led by Nicky Cruz (Erik Estrada), and David brings a message of hope to the angry youths. Guided by the street-wise Little Bo (Jo-Ann Robinson), David quickly learns about the neighborhood and how to approach the cynical juveniles. David came to New York City from a Pittsburgh suburb with little money, and is put up in a small street chapel owned by a pastor with a loving family who supports David in his work and offers to help with food and shelter. Cruz at first dismisses Wilkerson as a joke, then as a conspiracy to break up the Mau Maus, serving to only intensify his desire to be rid of the "preacher man".

Nicky's girlfriend Rosa prostitutes herself in order to support her heroin addiction, and later begs David to help her sober her drug habits. David realistically does not think Rosa can handle her heroin problem without medical attention, but agrees to allow the pastor and his wife to have Rosa live with them and stand vigil as she goes through difficult withdrawals. After Rosa is sober, she tries to convince Nicky that David comes to them out of love, but Nicky becomes more and more frustrated. When David tries an attempt to reach out to all gang members in the area through a revival, the pastor convinces the NYPD not to survey their neighborhood in order to have the gangs think they are being left alone. Nicky agrees with Big Cat, the leader of the rival Bishops, that they should rumble at the revival since no one would expect that. However, during David's sermon, his message that no one can be labeled and Christ's death on the Cross reaches Nicky, and he stands up to Big Cat who is ready to attack David. The film concludes by saying that in the question of the Cross and the Switchblade, the Cross proved stronger.

Nicky Cruz would go on to become an ordained minister, preaching the Gospel due to the initial efforts of David Wilkerson. In the end, they start a center called Teen Challenge to support teens.

Cast

Actor Role
Pat Boone David Wilkerson
Erik Estrada Nicky Cruz
Jacqueline Giroux Rosa
Dino DeFilippi Israel
Jo-Ann Robinson Little Bo
Gil Frazier Big Cat

Production

By 1968 Wilkerson's book had sold more than four million copies.[8] By 1975 that figure would be over six millino.[9]

In June 1969 Don Murray was working on a screenplay.[10] The film was produced by Dick Ross and Associates and QED Productions. Ross had spent 15 years making films for Billy Graham's organisation.[11] The American Baptist Convention helped distribute the film.[12]

Filming took place in Harlem in October 1969. "I've been trying to get this story filmed for five years," said Boone. "Working in Harlem has been wonderful - everyone, including the police, has been very cooperative. Maybe they sense this isn't a religious or a 'church' drama."[13]

It was the first credit for Erik Estrada.[14]

Reception

The film received positive reviews from Christians and moviegoers alike. Pat Boone regards the film as one of his favourites. "I took a huge gamble with that film," he says. "Financially it didn't pay off because I did it for next to nothing - I virtually did it as a charity but I don't regret it at all. Within its limitations it was a very well made film."[15]

The Los Angeles Times said the film was "hard to take" adding that Boone was "unconvincing" as Wilkerson. "Dressed and groomed like a movie star throughout [he] is the biggest obstacle of all to the suspension of disbelief."[16] The critic for the New York Times said "I liked it... the script... has a pungent, savy edge and some amusing dialogue.. the colour photography is excellent... three of the youngsters can really act"[17]

Box office

The film was a box office success aired in 30 languages in 150 countries.[18]

A comic book version of the film was also issued.[19]

References

  1. ^ CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 39, Iss. 456, (Jan 1, 1972): 248.
  2. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 744
  3. ^ Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986, NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 157
  4. ^ Howard Thompson, Pat Boone Plays Preacher-Hero in 'Cross and Switchblade', nytimes.com, USA, June 8, 1972
  5. ^ Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 163
  6. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 744
  7. ^ Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986, NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 157
  8. ^ Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited: Rehabilitation Figures Amazingly High From National Teen Challenge Centers Pentecostal Narcotic Program Success Cited THRAPP, DAN L. Los Angeles Times 14 Apr 1968: g4.
  9. ^ 36 BEST-SELLING RELIGIOUS BOOKS Los Angeles Times 28 July 1975: c3.
  10. ^ Youth Rally-Will Feature TV Actor Los Angeles Times 29 June 1969: oc14.
  11. ^ Mr. Clean of Filmland Los Angeles Times 11 Aug 1970: b1.
  12. ^ Digest Making Movies Fit for Its Readers By PAUL GARDNERSpecial to The New York Times. 8 Sep 1972: 38.
  13. ^ Dennis Hopper's 'Last Movie' By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 12 Oct 1969: D15
  14. ^ Erik Estrada changes his luck with 'CHiPs' Beck, Andee. Chicago Tribune 16 July 1978: i3.
  15. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=pNQylJinyQsC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=%22pat+boone%22+%22yellow+canary%22+interview&source=bl&ots=dOr7i3jDh9&sig=04xgzHibPnIZOlNLzBLbIzqP4JI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjCvbKjz9rJAhUIxWMKHWhlCJ0Q6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=%22pat%20boone%22%20%22yellow%20canary%22%20interview&f=false. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  16. ^ 'Switchblade Goes Into N.Y. Ghettos Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 3 June 1970: e19.
  17. ^ Pat Boone Plays Preacher-Hero in 'Cross and Switchblade' Thompson, Howard. New York Times 8 June 1972: 61.
  18. ^ Terry Lindvall, Andrew Quicke, Celluloid Sermons: The Emergence of the Christian Film Industry, 1930-1986, NYU Press, USA, 2011, p. 159
  19. ^ Jughead, Archie and Their Friends Get Religion and Help in Spreading the Word By EDWARD B. FISKE. New York Times ]23 Aug 1973: 39.

External links

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