Angel Baby

Director: Hubert Cornfield, Paul Wendkos Hubert Cornfield

Overview

Based on Jenny Angel, a novel by Elise Oaks Barber, Angel Baby is a gloves-off study of the faith-healing racket. The title character, played by Salome Jens, is a mute whose speech is ostensibly restored by Bible-thumper George Hamilton. Angel Baby is then exploited on the evangelical circuit by crooked promoter Burt Reynolds (in his feature film debut). She becomes disillusioned, but her faith is restored when she apparently heals a crippled child. Any opportunity to see stage actress Salome Jens in one of her rare movie roles is always to be treasured; in this instance, Ms. Jens is backed up by an equally stellar supporting cast, including Mercedes McCambridge, Joan Blondell, and Henry Jones.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/23/2009
UPC:	0883316125793
Original Release:	1961
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	36,524

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Salome Jens	Angel Baby
Mercedes McCambridge	Sara Strand
George Hamilton	Paul Strand
Joan Blondell	Mollie Hayes
Henry Jones	Ben Hays
Burt Reynolds	Hoke Adams
Roger Clark	Sam Wilcox
Dudley Remus	Otis Finch
Victoria Adams	Ma Brooks
Harry Swoger	Big Cripple
Barbara G. Biggart	Farm Girl
Davy Biladeau	Little Boy
Hubert Cornfield	Actor
R.L. Armstrong	The Shanty Man
Eddie Firestone	Blind Man
Ted Lehmann	Willis Ferguson

Technical Credits

Paul Wendkos	Director
Thomas F. Woods	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Treading some similar territory as the much better Elmer Gantry, Angel Baby can't help but pale in comparison to the slightly earlier film. However, the similarities between the two are essentially superficial, as Angel is much more concerned with a "miracle" girl and her struggle with her beliefs and how the phony world of the faux-evangelicals she encounters impacts on her. It's an interesting premise for a movie, and it's a shame that the trio of screenwriters get stuck in trite, clichéd examinations of the premise rather than delving deeper and with more originality. Paul Wendkos' direction doesn't help to clarify the action or add much depth to the story, but it does allow for some impressive performances. As the title character, Salome Jens brings a strange beauty and a quirky intensity to the part that makes her quite haunting and her performance quite powerful. Mercedes McCambridge delivers an all-out turn that practically bowls the viewer over, and even George Hamilton is in good form here. Throw in some fine support from a young and charismatic Burt Reynolds, as well as dependable Joan Blondell and Henry Jones, and the result is a film that contains a surprising amount of acting power and far too little writing power. The excellent Haskell Wexler cinematography is also a bonus.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler