The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-01-07
MARTIN LUTHER
DRAMA DRAWS
LOCAL PRAISE
By 10 ELLEN KELLER

day general public showing, be.
ginning January 10.
At 1 prsvisw here Of ths film
last month. attended BY church
ard religious leaders 81 The Key
West area. an enfhUsisstie re-
eepfion wss given this full length
epic Of The work Of the man,
Marin Luther, his efforts 10. re-.
form, hls accommodation, and
The Developments that led 20 fhs
origin and growth Of the Protest.
ant Movement.
The cast, headed by Mall Mac.
Ginnis III the title role, Is out.
standing not only for skill in por.
traying the sixteenth century
Characterization eonvincingly, but
also for the even, sustained pace
which builds up the emotional pow.
err Of the film into its great scenes.
Based upon the life Of the six
teenth century monk who defied
accommodation and the stake in
his demand for religious reform,
"Msrtin Luther" provides the first
motion picture portrayal Of the
evangelical movement.
Thu musical score and aushen.
Gle German locations Of the film
add greatly to IFS Inpressivsness.
Extras for HE scenes were ehos-
on from among The inhabitants
Of these small German villages,
and they bring realism to their
paris BY simply being instead Of
acting.
Though 1t Is definitely document,
airy in treatment, the dramatic i'm.
pact is intensified by its very lacL
OF the sensational.
martin Luther is produced by
Louis de Rochemont Associates
and Is directed by Irving Pichel
In commenting upon the film
Key Vests religious leaders
Of many denominations agree up
on The exceptional merit Of the
prodUefion.
TIE Rev. r. e. Coulter Prs
Presbyterian Church, states at i:
enc Of tie outstanding pisLres o.
this peTtl alton.
Chan. ain w. M. Laudenslager
USN, describes ii as "A pcnetrat
ing and timely message which vii
move today's people to seek more
vibrant faith in God"
The Rev. John S. Armfield Of
st. Pauls Episcopal Church com.
ments Excellent photography, and
the musical accompaniment for the
scenes Is especially good.
Il think, it is about the finest
film I've seen, and II should be
widely shown" says the Rev. j.
Paul Touchton, First Methodist
Church.
The Rev. Charles II. Meeker Of
First Congregational Church re,
marks, '"This is great portrayal
OF a man and an epoch in church
history. It Is a must for every
church member 10 see.'
The Rev. Ralph Rogers, Church
Of the Rock, stresses at is every.
thing good that has been said about
it, and Is outstanding from stand
points of history, music and re
hgion."
Chaplain e. r. Lineberger, USN
states "A very simple and drama,
tic presentation Of fact and truth. :
''It is an excellent presentation
OF historical truth Of the Christian
reformation" says the Rev. Man
uel Figuera of Ell Salvador Church
The Rev. Carl Sammetinger
Grace Lutheran Church, hailed the
film as "A most thrilling picture
which everyone ought to see. AL
should learn to stand firm in ths
Gospel of our Saviour"
81 believe It presents the truti
and / think it should be shown ii
Key West" commented DR.. ]. L
Ivey of Poinciana Baptist Church
The Rev. George w. Allen, Trim
ETY. w. M. Church, says, at shows
most wonderfully a deep faith il
bis belief in God and his son Jesus
Christ
The Rev. James &. Statham
pastor Of Fleming Street Methodist
said he felt that the film els
great portrait Of a mans faitl
against the error Of the church
81 think the film Is one Of tn,
best that has ever been shown, ant
] know that It win be q guide i
men, = was the comment of the Rev
A. Franklin Hooper Of Cornish A
IL. E. Zion Church.
The Rev. w. N. Mclean, Trim
Nv Presbyterian, pronounced tn,
picture wonderfully good and sal
that Il SHOULD be seen by tn
world"
Father John H. Reece, Jr., Q
81. Peters Episcopal Church says
magnificent! It speaks truly Q
The reformation"