The Leather Saint *** (1956, Paul Douglas, John Derek, Jody Lawrance, Cesar Romero) – Classic Movie Review 12,033

Director Alvin Ganzer’s 1956 Paramount Pictures widescreen black and white spiritual drama The Leather Saint stars Paul Douglas, John Derek, Jody Lawrance, and Cesar Romero.

John Derek plays an Episcopalian minister, Father Gil Allen, who slaps on a pair of leather gloves, steps into the ring and slugs out for the greater glory of God and to help the poor people. To be fair, Father Allen agonises over his decision to box for money to help finance the church and community medical projects for special needs children.

This improbable tale benefits from a punchy lead performance and snappy direction, ending up better than expected and sometimes quite affecting. Paul Douglas is an asset as Derek’s manager Gus MacAuliffe and so is Jody Lawrance as Pearl Gorman, the platinum-blonde nightclub singer he saves from the bottle, as well as Cesar Romero as fight promoter Tony Lorenzo. Lawrance even sings ‘I’m in the Mood for Love’ (music by Jimmy McHugh, lyrics by Dorothy Fields).

Also in the cast are Ernest Truex, Richard Shannon, Ricky Vera, Thomas Browne Henry, Lou Nova, Robert Cornthwaite, Edith Evanson, Baynes Barron, and Mary Benoit.

Jody Lawrance also acted with John Derek in Mask of the Avenger (1951) and The Family Secret (1951).

The Leather Saint is directed by Alvin Ganzer, runs 86 minutes, is made and released by Paramount Pictures, is written by Norman Retchin (original screenplay) and Alvin Ganzer (original screenplay), is shot in widescreen and black and white by Haskell B Boggs, is produced by Norman Retchin, is scored by Irvin Talbot, and is designed by Hal Pereira and Henry Bumstead.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 12,033

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