Pray TV (1980 film)
| Pray TV | |
|---|---|
Dick Chudnow | |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Terry Clairmont |
| Edited by | Peter H. Verity |
| Music by |
|
Production company | Filmways Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Pray TV (also known as KGOD)[1] is a 1981 American comedy film spoofing televangelism, directed and co-written by Rick Friedberg.
The film stars Dabney Coleman, Archie Hahn, Nancy Morgan, Joyce Jameson, Lewis Arquette, Marcia Wallace and Roger E. Mosley, with cameos by Dr. John and the band Devo (who play a Christian rock band named "Dove"). Film critics David Nusair and Scott Weinberg note that the 1989 film UHF is very similar in both plot and style to Pray TV.[2][3]
Plot
Failing
black nationalist preacher, a preacher with a drive-in church, a Christian game show
, etc.
Cast
- Lewis Arquette as Fred Wilson
- Jaime Lyn Bauer as Mary of Nazareth
- Stymie Beard as Willie Washington usher
- Charlie Brill as Dr. Ramirez
- Dick Chudnowas newsboy / Mexican / wino / Hassidic Jew / possessed boy / legally-dead Harold / Bruce the orderly
- Dabney Coleman as Marvin Fleece
- Devo as "Dove"
- Archie Hahn as Fletcher Peebles
- Charles Haid as Buck Sunday
- Deidre Hall as Sarah of Nazareth
- Bobby Herbeck as Scooter Hayes
- Joyce Jameson as Millie Peebles
- Dr. John as self
- Bill Kirchenbauer as Elvin
- Biff Manard as Billie Bob Joe Brown
- Anna Mathias as Freedom Sunshine
- Nancy Morgan as Peggy Williams
- Roger E. Mosley as Willie Washington / Leroy Washington
- Paul Reubens as Jack
- Marcia Wallace as Alice Kidd
Release
Pray TV was picked up by
Filmways Pictures in 1981 (under its original name, KGOD).[4] The film premiered on television instead of theatrically,[5] and aired on Showtime in 1983 under its present title.[6] It was issued on DVD on November 15, 2005.[3]
References
- ^ Associated Press (AP) (June 5, 1983). "Being Nice Didn't Get Coleman Where He Is". The Victoria Advocate. p. 9TV. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
- ^ Nusair, David (November 29, 2005). "Six Comedy Cult Classics from MGM". Reel Film.
- ^ a b Weinberg, Scott (November 20, 2005). "Pray TV". DVD Talk.
- ^ "Acquisitions (p. 26); No title available (p. 41)". Film Bulletin. Vol. 49. Wax Publications. 1981. pp. 26, 41. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
- ISBN 0-7876-0780-0. Retrieved November 14, 2011.
- The Telegraph-Herald. March 18, 1983. p. 19 (Entertainment Section). Retrieved November 14, 2011.
External links
- Pray TV at IMDb
- Pray TV at Rotten Tomatoes
