MovieChat Forums > One Foot in Heaven (1941) Discussion > Dated Movie

Dated Movie

posted 17 years ago by wmoores
19 replies | jump to latest

This movie is very dated; it also has some incongruities. I don't think the parsonages are accurately depicted, especially the one with the leaky roof. The Rev. didn't seem to think much of his family, only of himself. Moving so often without thinking what that did to the family. It was unbelievable that he would go three months without naming their last child. When he finally agreed to accept the name his wife wanted, he changed the name to what he wanted during the baptismal service. I know there is gossip in the church, but I never met any gossipers so cruel that they would imply the minister's teenage son was having an affair. I did like the music. All Max Steiner scores are wonderful. It is a shame these are not available on CDs.

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2754) 6 years ago

Very briefly mostly about moving and job-shopping. (I am not a member of any church so if I make a mistake here no one can expel me, ha-ha.)

Some churches MANDATE that a pastor not stay longer than a certain time, while in others they can stay for life if they want. My family mainly attended the First Congregational, where as I understand there are no term limits. I have actually seen two pastors die in office who if they and the congregation had their way would have stayed for decades. As for vicious gossip, that, too. BOTH pastors passed away of cancer, the one safely in the 1970s when AIDS was not heard of, the other into the 2010s (just) and word went around that he passed of AIDS. (Not trying to insult people who actually do have AIDS, but he did not.)

The Methodist is one of those churches which are strict in DEMANDING a change of pastors after a certain time, for reasons such as too many loyalties develop, they want the congregation together and not split into camps, etc. For many years the Methodist parsonage was across the street from our house. It was very nice, didn't have loose steps or a leaky roof, and the men of the congregation went over to make repairs. They were progressive in having had two female pastors before any other church in our small town had any. I was at the farewell service for one of these pastors and it was very clear that she did not want to leave nor did the congregation want it. Several big strong men who are normally quite reserved went up to hug her and all were practically in tears.

As for job-shopping, a Methodist pastor is going to be made to move after a certain amount of time anyway. He just wanted to look around and make sure he was a good fit for the church, that it really needed him, and the church a good fit for him as well. Dr. Spence obviously sought challenges.