Preacherman (1971) - full transcript
Phony backwoods preacher Amos T. Huxley stays in a small North Carolina town long enough to fleece his congregation, swindle the profits from a moonshine still, and seduce dumb blonde Mary Lou. Mary Lou's ex-boyfriend becomes suspicious of the preacher and gets the local police to investigate his actions.
NARRATOR: Straight out
of today's headlines
comes a movie bigger
than the 10 commandments.
An inspiring movie of
biblical proportions.
44 1936.
Preacher man, his silver
tongue manipulates the masses.
Because you're the
devil's prisoner.
He's sitting inside you laughing
and you don't even know it.
Yes, he's a cancer eating away.
And, Lord, better call him out.
NARRATOR: His preaching
fills his pockets with gold.
You see the devil
created money and now
the good Lord wishes
you to reach down deep
and get rid of it.
[SIRENS WAILING]
NARRATOR: He gives new
meaning to fatherly love.
Don't tell a soul.
He came right on time.
NARRATOR: Preacherman.
He is the man of the
club who performs
miracles between the sheets.
When he hears
confessions of sexual sin
it raises more than his
spiritual awareness.
Preacher man, he's
a hard driving,
smooth talking, two
fisted fighting, law
breaking pastor of disaster.
He's a man of action, a man
of peace, a man of passion,
and a moving target.
[GUN SHOTS]
And then you can tell that
old devil to go to to Hell.
NARRATOR: Preacher
man, he preaches
the gospel of deception to
gain a young girls reception.
When the rubber meets the
road the pistol pumping, tire
screeching, gear
turning preacher
is always a step
ahead of the law
while staying in
step with the ladies.
When he comforts your daughters
they haven't got a prayer.
Preacher man will hit your
tight below the Bible Belt.
[ROOSTER CROWING]
[FARM NOISES]
SISTER BERTHA: What
you gonna do now?
AMOS: Just hold on
tight, honey child.
SISTER BERTHA: Oh, my.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
I seen him, sheriff.
I seen him.
Where?
Up in Jeff Row
Clemon's hayloft.
Who was the gal?
Well?
It was Bertha.
What's the matter?
Why'd you stop?
I gotta be running
along, sweet thing.
So like I done told
you, don't tell a soul,
because that would be wrong.
And you wouldn't
want to do anything
wrong now would you, sister?
Can't you stay a
little longer, Reverend?
Sister Bertha, the Lord giveth
and the Lord taketh away.
God bless you, sister.
THEME SONG: Amos
Huxley was supposed
to be a man of God against sin.
He could preach
the fire's of Hell
so hot no man would
thing he had sin.
But a hunger for women
and a love for money
made him a wanted man.
They put his face on posters
in the two Carolina's and down
in the Georgia land.
You better run preacher man.
You better run for you life.
The sheriff's got a
gun and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHURCH BELL RINGING]
Thank you so much
for coming, sister.
Thank you, brother.
What a lovely dress you
have on today, sister.
Nice to see you again.
Preacher.
Boy, I want to-- I want to
see you-- see more of you,
you hear?
I haven't seen you
for six months.
You watch yourself.
Come on now.
Nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Reverend?
Howdy, deputy.
Reverend Huxley,
circuit Preacher?
That's right.
So you fellas catch
up with those two boys
that run up on the chain gang?
--Well not yet, but there
ain't going to be anybody
in or out of this county.
We've set up road
blocks and we've
got it closed tight as a drum.
That's fine.
Fine.
Real fine.
Reverend?
Sheriff wants to
have a word with you.
Yeah.
It's always a pleasure to
welcome a man of the law
to the house of the Lord.
What can I do for you, sheriff?
Is this the man?
Yes.
I do declare, if that ain't
sister Bertha sitting there,
and all teared up.
Are you all right, sister?
We missed your sweet singing
at the meeting this morning.
You didn't go and do anything
wrong now did you sister?
No, Reverend, you did.
You see this girl here is
the sheriff's daughter.
Oh, Lord.
Now get in the car.
THEME SONG: Now the
preacher's going to jail
and the sins of man
is plain for all
to see that his mind wasn't
on the ways of the world,
but on the sheriff's
daughter's knee.
And if you look
real close you can
hear him sigh from the
thoughts that were in his mind.
He was self-ordained
as a preacher man
but he wasn't the
believing kind.
You better run, preacher man.
You better run for your life.
The sheriff's got a
gun and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
If I ever catch you
in this county again
I'll personally
hit you in the eye.
I'll smash you in the ear.
I'll kick you in the mouth.
And I'll push your nose
to the back of your head.
In other words, I'll close
everything that's open and open
everything that's closed.
Here's something to remind you.
Leon!
[GRUNTS]
[ENGINE FALTERING]
[BANGING]
[ENGINE STARTING]
[HORN HONKING]
Mary Lou?
[HORN HONKING]
Mary Lou?
[HORN HONKING]
What you want, papa?
I'm going into Roundrob
be back by nightfall.
If that Clyde
Massingale and them boys
comes around here sniffing you
take my gun and run them off,
ya hear?
Yes, papa.
Have supper ready.
[ENGINE REVVING]
Who's there?
I said, who's there
and I mean it.
Come on out of there I'm
going to start shooting.
CLYDE: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Clyde?
[BOING]
Marvin?
[BOING]
Jimmy?
[BOING]
Billy Joe?
[BOING]
Hi, fellas.
Why don't you come inside?
Not that way you sillies.
Come on in the front way.
[MOANING]
CLYDE: My, oh my.
Ain't you something?
[LAUGHTER]
How many?
[SNEEZING]
Here this will
straighten you up.
My, my.
Ain't that something?
Shut up, Billy Joe.
Give me four.
[MOANING]
CLYDE: Oh, Mary Lou.
Oh, Mary Lou, you're so pretty.
I'm out.
MARY LOU: Oh!
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Ain't you through yet, Clyde?
No, damn it, now stop
bothering me, ya hear?
Clyde, you've been
in there over an hour.
You're going to have
her plumb tuckered
out before I get to her.
Not Mary Lou.
Boy, she's something else.
You're disgusting.
You know that, Billy Joe?
I think maybe you're some kind
of a pervert or something.
You watch your mouth, boy.
Yeah, boy.
You want to make
something out of it, huh?
Is that what you want?
Oh.
Clyde!
come here quick, huh?
Clyde, we got to get.
I told you to
stop bothering me,
Marvin and I meant what I said.
Clyde, look.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
It's your old man.
He's back.
[SCREAMING]
Oh!
Through here!
What's the matter with you?
Hi, papa.
You're back early.
I didn't expect
you until tonight.
When I call at you
you answer, girl.
You deep or something.
Now get your fanny out
here and give me a hand.
Well sure, papa.
I just didn't here you come up.
I was laying in bed.
[SNEEZING]
God bless you.
Why you little hussy.
[SCREAMING]
[GUN SHOTS]
Ah!
Reverend?
I must be dead.
And you must be one of
the good Lord's angel's.
Hardly.
Well where am I?
What is-- what is this place?
I'm Judd Crabtree.
This here is my
little girl, Mary Lou.
We found you down
the road in a heap.
Who done you in, Reverend?
Uh, I reckon it was
those two convicts
I happened to light upon.
I reached out the Lord's
hand and they fell on it.
Why if I were there I would
have scratched out their eyes.
To do such a thing to
such a fine looking man.
My what a sweet thing.
[LAUGHING]
Yes, sir.
Good.
That's real good.
I wish there was
some way to return
all this Christian kindness
with a little deed of my own.
A little bit more of that
fine coffee please, ma'am.
Sure.
Hell, preacher, there is.
There's a meaningful thing
that only you can do.
Hmm?
Listen here, brother.
Mary Lou's mother
died in childbirth.
And as she was dying she made
me promise to baptize the girl.
She ain't been baptized.
Would you please
pass those collards?
Thank you.
Since my Sarah's death,
well I've been a lost man.
Maybe that's the reason
Mary Lou's the way she is.
Hmm.
Could I have just
a little bit more
of that corn you've
got over there?
Thank you.
Now her mama was
good, a good women,
sang and played the piano.
Well Mary Lou looks mighty
good to me my, mighty good.
So do them biscuits.
JUDD: I believe the devil's
lied deep in her because I
never got her baptized.
Preacher, did you know she's
got an unnatural hankering
for men folk?
Does she now?
Well I hadn't noticed.
What have you got to say
for yourself, Mary Lou?
Why-- why-- why every
time a man just touches
me I go all gooey inside.
Yeah?
And then I-- I mean he and I--
There's no need to
describe everything.
It is important
that she confesses
the whole of her sins.
Now you go right on, little one.
Well, Reverend, it's like this.
Mm-hmm.
Most girls like one boy.
Yeah?
Others have more.
Two and three and--
Yeah.
--four.
Like that Clyde
Massingale and Marvin--
Well it's clear as day what's
needed here is a baptism.
JUDD: Thank the Lord.
Yeah.
[HORN HONKING]
Howdy, Judd.
Mary Lou.
Oh, you too, preacher.
Martha we is busy.
Can't you see?
Judd, I got this new
ointment for your leg.
If you use it everyday it
won't cramp up on you no more.
Now Martha we is busy.
Oh, yeah.
I come by this here nice tie.
I want you to have it.
I don't need--
It won't cost you anything.
It's a gift.
Take it.
Martha, now there's
nothing that we
need from the truck today.
And, besides, Mary Lou
and the Preacher and
myself, we is got business.
A marrying?
No, Martha, not a marrying.
Well I could do the singing.
I've got a powerful
singing voice, preacher.
And so has my brother, Henry.
I've been told together
we can make a stone cry.
Is that so?
Martha Applebee, preacher,
pleased to me you.
It's a pleasure to
meet you, sister.
Why what happened to your head?
Oh nothing just a little--
Oh, well here let me
take a look at that.
Martha, me and the preacher--
Are you coming
our way to preach?
No, as a matter of fact,
sister, I was just leaving.
Roadblocks still up, both
ends of White Oak County.
No one can go in and out
without first being checked.
Even me.
Must be looking
for those escapes.
They is the ones who whooped
up on the preacher man.
Don't say?
-Do say?
-White Oak?
We're still in White Oak?
Yep, picked you up
in Orange and brung
you back to White Oak.
Is something wrong, preacher.
My head, things are beginning
to spin all about me.
Yes, that blow must have
been harder than I figured.
Oh, Reverend,
sit yourself down.
Yes.
Yes, thank you.
I think I will.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Wow I guess I'll be having
to call on your hospitality
a little bit more
than I had planned.
Well that'll be
an honor, Reverend.
Sure enough.
The good Lord sure moves
in strange way, does he not?
And I hear him a-calling
me to perform a baptism?
Thank the Lord.
When?
When preacher?
First thing in the morning.
The devil must be washed
away from this pour,
unfortunate creatures sole
before any time elapses.
Well there's this little
old water hole where
I-- I swim alone sometimes.
Yeah, I think that
the little old place
that the good lord had in mind.
Preacher, can I bring
my brother, Henry?
Why sure, sister Martha, sure.
Thank you, Preacher.
Henry just loves baptisms.
That's good.
MARTHA AND HENRY: (SINGING) On
the banks of your sweet river
we sing our praise to thee.
And ask our Lord to give this
soul the light of God to see.
We need the hand of God
to wash away our sins.
Savior, open up your arm
let a sinner's soul come in.
Let a sinner's soul come in.
We ask, oh Lord, today.
Let the waters of the Lord
wash all our sins away.
Let the light of God shine
through so we can see our sins.
Savior open up your arms.
Let a sinner's and soul come in.
AMOS: I baptize thee,
Mary Lou Crabtree,
in the name of
the good Lord that
put us down on this here Earth.
Lord, this sweet
young thing, who
has been put in one of the
finest bodies you have ever
built, didn't know
right from wrong
when she got all messed
up with them boys.
Her soul said, no.
No.
But her body said go.
Lord, the old man and I
would be beholden to you
if you wash away all them
bad thing she done did
and take her back to the fold.
Amen.
And Adam said, this is now bone
of my bones, flesh of my flesh.
And she shall be called women.
Because she was
taken out of man.
Therefore shall a man leave
his father and his mother
and shall cleave unto his wife.
And they shall be one flesh.
And they were both naked,
the man and his wife.
And were not ashamed.
Amen.
Reverend?
Yes, little one?
I got the funniest kind of
feeling all inside my body
when you done baptized me.
What kind of a
feeling, little one?
I don't know.
I just tingle from the bottom of
my toes to the top of my head.
I ain't never felt
like that before.
Never ever.
Not even with them boys.
I once knew a sweet young
thing just like yourself.
She'd tingle inside like her
inside's were upside down.
Yea, that's just like I feel.
And I'd say, you're ripe and
ready to do the Lord's work,
Mary Lou.
Because that's what that
little girl went and done.
And you know something?
She did real well.
Oh, my.
She was one of the chosen
and didn't even know it.
Do you think that I might
be one of the chosen, too?
Well I can't rightly
tell, but we could check.
Why don't you turn
around, honey.
Yeah, turn around.
Let me show you.
This won't hurt.
There.
Now relax.
OK.
Yeah.
How you feel now?
I just am aching all over now.
[LAUGHTER]
There.
Ooh-hoo.
Would you like to work
for the Lord, Mary-Lou?
I don't rightly know.
You know, I can just
see you now dressed
in a long, white
robe that reaches
to the floor with
big angel sleeves
that when you raise
your arms to the sky
you look just like
an angel of the Lord.
Oh.
I ain't never seen a
dress like that before.
Preacher?
I just got this
aching inside of me
I want to do the Lord's work.
Could I?
Could I?
Yes.
Preacher?
Is my sweet, little thing really
fit to do the Lord's work?
That's a good
question, old man.
No, no she ain't fit yet.
Not until after the visitation.
Visitation?
What's a visitation, Reverend?
Well that's when
someone comes a calling.
Who's going to come a calling?
Well the angel Leroy.
Angel Leroy?
I don't think I done ever
heard of the Angel Leroy.
Well few people
have, you see, he only
comes to those
young, sweet things
that are ripe and ready
to do the Lord's work.
When does he come?
Oh, around midnight.
Stays two hours,
sometimes three.
In your case I'd say three.
What does my sweet, little girl
got to do to get the visitation
from angel Leroy?
Well first of all she's going
to have to want Leroy to come.
Oh, I do.
I do.
I really-- I truly do.
And then the next thing,
you have to go to your room
and you burn this
sweet smelling powder.
And then you take this
candle, you light it
and place it buy the window.
Take off all worldly
clothing and jump in the bed
in your birthday suit.
Just like the good Lord put
you down on this here Earth.
Then you drink this
special angel potion.
Now it's going to burn
at first but don't worry
because the more
it burns the better
the visitation is going to be.
But don't drink it all.
Save a few swigs for Leroy.
Why?
Do he drink the potion too?
Never question the
habits of angel's child.
That's the first rule
and don't you forget it.
You do like angel Leroy
says, as you hear girl?
Oh, Lord.
First a man of the Lord in
our little house and tonight
the visitation of
the angel Leroy.
Amen.
Now I can't promise
you anything, old man.
He may come and he may not.
He may not be able to
find this God forsaken
place that's so out of the way.
What can I do?
I do want my little
girl to have her chance.
Well there is a way to
guarantee the visitation.
Have you got a ladder?
A tall ladder?
Yes, sir.
Good.
You take this lamp, and
you get that ladder.
And you go to your room and
place that in the window.
And you drink that potion.
And you get with it because
we ain't got much time, right?
Now let's get with it.
JUDD: Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Are you the angel Leroy?
Yes.
Yeah?
What do you want me to do now?
Move over.
JUDD: Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
MARY LOU: (SINGING) I've been
saved by the Preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong for right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can.
I've been touched by
the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Morning, papa.
Tell me, child.
Did the angel Leroy come?
Papa, he came right on time.
And he left at sunrise.
thank you so much, papa.
Lordy me.
SHERIFF: That's
what I should have
done to the son of a bitch.
Well now, Sheriff,
you know this man's
not wanted for murder.
SHERIFF: Same thing.
No, I'm afraid not.
What he's wanted
for is extortion,
fraud, and statutory rape.
What kind of rape is that?
Never you mind, Leon.
He sure gets around, don't he?
You might say that.
This fella down in Georgia well
he put up $500 in reward money
for him.
Must have wanted him real bad.
Where the story goes, he
couldn't have proper relations
with his wife no more.
[LAUGHTER]
So he confesses this
to the Preacher man
who promptly sends him off
on some holy pilgrimage.
Well when he returns
home, he find
both his wife, and his
16-year-old daughter,
mighty pregnant.
Son-of-a-bitch, and
I had him right here.
Sheriff, how about
you and your deputy
be on close look
out for him just
in case he happens to show
up around these parts again,
will you?
No chance.
He's got to be miles from here.
MARY LOU: You always
been a Preacher?
No, Mary-Lou, there
was another time.
What did you do before?
I traveled about
with the carnival.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, golly.
I'd sure like to
travel about myself.
You will when you're ready.
When did you
leave the carnival?
The day a friend of mine died.
After that well things just
weren't the same anymore.
I know what you mean.
I had myself this little
black and white kitten
that went and died on me.
And I was sick for days.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Oh, what you want, papa?
JUDD: Get your fanny in here.
It's time to go to bed.
He's always yelling at me.
If he had himself
a woman he wouldn't
be bothering me so much.
Well it appears to me
Martha would be more
than ready to tie the knot.
Sure enough.
Only Papa don't see
her like no woman.
The man is blind.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Oh, come on, Papa.
Well goodnight, preacher.
Goodnight, Mary-Lou.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN: (SINGING) There
was another time,
another place, another world.
There was another night,
another kiss, another girl.
And every time I think
about that other place,
that other love it's then I
long to be in that other time,
in that other, other world.
In that other time, in
that other, other world.
40-acres.
AMOS: You know there was
a time when I would have
given anything for 40 acres.
JUDD: All of it
tillable, yes sir.
Trouble is I haven't
done a thing with it
since my Sarah's done
die, not a blasted thing.
Waste of the good Lord's Earth.
Just didn't feel like
growing nothing no more.
Lord is shaking his
fist at you, Judd.
I know it.
I know it.
And I feel it.
And he has a right
to do it, but that's
going to change, Preacher.
I'm going to change.
Amen, Judd.
This here is going to
be the best run piece
of land in these here parts.
Amen, brother.
Only well it--
Let's here it.
What is it?
There's something
that's been bothering me.
Something I've been keeping
inside, locked up from you.
And I got to pull it
from my conscience
before I can make any changes.
Well what is it?
I mean, don't let it stay there.
Don't let it fester
like a bad wound.
A still?
JUDD: A still.
My way, preacher.
My poor way of taking care
of Mary-Lou and myself.
Lord.
JUDD: I know it's a sin, Lordy.
A still.
JUDD: Have pity
on a poor sinner.
Oh, Lord.
JUDD: I beg forgiveness, I do.
Please understand
the feelings of a man
who just lost his wife.
A good wife who could
sing and play the piano.
Fact is it wasn't
my idea at all.
It was the sheriff
who set me up.
The sheriff?
JUDD: I sale to the Sheriff and
he sells to his brother-in-law
who runs a general store.
Lord.
JUDD: S Good man
Preacher, a pious man.
Oh, really?
JUDD: You'll meet him once.
Oh, really?
He come up here often?
JUDD: Hardly much.
Yeah, that's good.
What's good?
Oh, it's a good and lucky
thing the Lord hasn't seen
fit to work his anger
on you, the Sheriff,
and his brother-in-law.
That's what's good.
JUDD: Sure is.
Sure is.
I must have been protected
by some good angel.
Well I ain't taken
no more chances.
Hold on, brother.
Hold on.
Didn't you know that
the devil's tonic
can become God's eye water?
Why, no.
No, I didn't know that.
Well it's true.
This still right where
it's standing, brother,
can become the foundation
of a church of God.
It could?
That's true.
That's true.
You see what we do is
we continue to sell
the corn liquor as always.
But this time we cut out the
Sheriff and his brother-in-law.
As a matter of
fact, we send Martha
and Henry from house to house.
Martha?
Yes, every man, woman,
and child in this county
will become part of
this great drama.
The building of a church right
here in this hallowed ground.
Martha will go up from farm
to farm, from shack to shack,
and the Lord will be
on the truck with her.
Amen.
(SINGING): I'm going to meet
my savior up there when I die.
When I die.
Ain't going to hang--
Yeah, and the money
is going to come in
until our pockets will fill up.
And then, oh man,
we're going to go out.
We're going to buy some
nails, and some lumber.
And buy everything
that's necessary to build
a house of the Lord.
And then, old man,
think in that house
all the souls that
I'll be able to save.
And you-- you-- you, old
man, because the Lord
has been with you-- the
Lord has inspired you.
You will be coming our
deacon, first officer,
first officer of his house.
Second in command.
Amen.
Yeah.
THEME SONG: Making moonshine
whiskey was a way to make money
and Amos didn't pass it up.
He had a ready-made
still and help to run it.
And a chance to make
a few fast bucks.
Along with the still came
Mary Lou and the preacher man
smiled inside for the
still meant money,
Mary Lou meant love, and he'd
sure take her for a ride.
And he'd sure take
her for a ride.
(SINGING): I'M going to meet
my Savior up there when I die.
JUDD: Leroy
(SINGING): Ain't
going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
JUDD: Leroy?
(SINGING): Going to get
down on bended knees, thank
the Lord and say and please.
I'm going to meet my
Savior up there when I die.
JUDD: Leroy?
CLYDE: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
I'll teach those
tomcats to come whining
around here once and for--
No, papa, let me.
Clyde?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Marvin?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Jimmy?
[BOING]
MARRY Lou: Billy Joe?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Now you boys
listen to me real good.
I told you I don't want
you calling on me no more.
I done been baptized, had the
visitation of the angel Leroy,
and I got myself
religion, and all.
Do you know
anybody named Leroy?
I've never known him.
Ain't no Leroy around here.
You heard a man named Leroy?
No.
No.
No.
Who in the Hell's Leroy?
Leroy is a
religious experience.
And let me tell you, even
though he's just an angel,
boy hes better than the whole
bunch of you put together.
So get.
I'm going to tell my pappy
to start shooting at you.
Amen.
What the hell's going on?
I know.
Come on.
[MUSIC - "I'M GOING TO MEET MY
SAVIOR]
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank the Lord
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
When my life on Earth is ended
I'm going home to see my Lord
and to kneel around his throne.
I'm going to sing and
shout with pride for that's
when I'll be satisfied.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank the Lord,
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
saviour up there when I die.
Sinner man you'd better
listen to what I say.
Don't feel shame to get
down on your knees and pray.
Ask the Lord to take you in,
keep you safe away from sin.
You're going to meet your
savior up there when you die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank my Lord,
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
MARY LOU: (SINGING) I've
saved by the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong for right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can.
I've been touched by
the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Well what do you think
about it, preacher?
When do you think she's
going to be ready?
Soon, brother.
Soon.
It's going to be soon.
It's just got to be soon or
you going to be a burying me.
Now, brother Judd, you know
what we need around here?
We need some help
to spell you a bit.
What with lowering our
prices and shutting out
that middleman has made our corn
liquor mighty attractive item.
Yeah.
Who do you suppose
we could hire?
Ain't nobody around these
parts a looking for work.
Here they don't come to it,
or they've got too much.
Unless maybe old Farley.
Who's Farley?
Has a neighboring
piece of land.
Raises chickens.
Farley's a strange one, he is.
Yeah, look, we need
nobody running around here,
coming in and out of work.
We need somebody that's going
to stay around the clock.
None of this 5 o'clock business
and then running to your wife.
Farley ain't got no wife.
Well then running to his
women, or to his mama.
He ain't got no
mama nor a women.
He ain't got a wife,
a mama, or a woman?
Well what's he got?
Chickens.
Chickens?
Chickens.
I told you, Farley
is a strange one.
Saddam and Gomorrah.
[CHICKENS CLUCKING]
AMOS: Lord.
Lord, look at your soldiers.
Are your sure this
is the Lord's work?
There ain't nothing better
than building his house now
is there, brother?
I suppose so.
Yeah.
Keep your mind on
the Lord, Farley.
On the Lord.
I'm trying.
I'm trying.
How we dong, preacher?
Well ain't count it up
yet but my pockets are
bulging so we gotta be close.
Can't be soon enough for me.
The Lord's work ain't
always the easy road, deacon.
Ain't always the easy road.
Afternoon, Mary Lou.
Afternoon, preacher.
My where is our
spirit this fine day?
I don't know.
Last few days I've
just been plumb tired.
Well them visitations is
getting longer and longer.
That's a good sign, child.
That means you
almost been purified.
Do it?
Oh, Lord have mercy.
I do hope so.
Depend on it.
Depend on it.
Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Clyde, what are you doing here?
I told you not to come
around her no more.
I come around because
I had to tell you.
There's something
I want to tell you.
[BANG]
-Pa!
Clyde!
Hold on, brother.
Or they'll be a
killing on God's soil.
Good thing, too.
And they shall beat their
swords into plow shares.
Let the boy speak his piece.
He ain't nothing
but a hungering
pole cat after my Mary Lou.
That's what he is.
No, I ain't.
Ya ain't?
That's right.
Fact is, I come to get
religion like the rest of you.
Amen.
I seen everybody working
here, happy and all,
and I figured this
must be a good thing
what you're all doing.
None your business
what we're doing, Clyde.
Brother Crabtree,
the boys repentant.
And a repentant sinner is the
Lord's most cherished child.
Long as I don't
have to cherish him.
Is that true, Clyde?
It sure is.
Old man, it is my duty
to save those souls
that wants to be saved.
Even those as mean and
ornery as Clyde here.
And there's no
better way to root
the devil out of a man, brother,
than to put him to work.
Why, Clyde here could go
into town, pick up supplies.
Yes, and do all
the heavy lifting.
Couldn't you, Clyde?
Oh, I'll do anything to help.
I want to be saved, preacher.
Amen, brother.
Anything you say, Reverend.
But Clyde?
Mary Lou's off limits.
You hear that?
You hear it boy?
Fill her up.
Afternoon, sister Martha.
Howdy.
We're doing better
everyday, preacher.
Why I suspect our
home delivery's
going to put the sheriff
right smack out of business.
That it might, sister.
That it just might.
Got some good news
for you, preacher.
Those escaped
convicts been caught,
the one's that done you in.
The Lord sure moves swiftly.
Does he not, sister?
Well I'm thankful
anyway, because now
that that roadblocks
been lifted I
can get over to
those other counties
with our delicious, eye wash.
When?
When did they left
the roadblock?
Today.
Just today as a matter of fact.
And that means I'm going to
be needing more of everything
if I'm going to be
able to branch out.
Lord, this is wondrous news.
This is God's news.
And it's God's signal, sister.
And I'm hearing it
loud and clear .
And he's calling me.
He's calling me to go and gather
up the country folk to bring
them here for one last meeting.
To raise the money to raise
the roof of his house.
Amen.
Lord, I feel like singing.
(SINGING: I'm going to make
my home in heaven when I die.
Stand beside his golden
throne by and by.
I'm going to walk to the
promised land with my savior--
Now sister, here's some
special material because it's
a special occasion.
And it's God's day and I want
you to get yourself decked
out real pretty like, ya hear?
And, come on, take
off those things
and look the Lord
square in the face.
He wants to see his women
looking real pretty like.
No go, sister Martha, go.
And spread the word.
Brother Henry?
Spread the word.
And spread the liquor.
MUSIC PLAYING: One of these
days it won't be long I'm
going to sing the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
Stand beside his golden
throne in the sky.
I want to walk to
the promise land
with my savior, hand in hand.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
By and by, in the sky.
I want to walk the streets
of glory, by and by.
One of these days,
and it won't be long,
I'm going to sing
the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
One of these days,
and it won't be long,
I'm going to sing
the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
What do you suppose
Clyde Massingale's up to?
Yeah, in old man
Crabtree's truck, too.
Right?
He's supposed to hate
that boy something fierce.
He does.
I hope nothing's
happened to that old man
that he's got to
rely on that dimwit.
Right?
Say, maybe something
has happened?
The old man ain't been to
town with a fresh supply
in over two weeks now.
That's a fact, Leon.
My brother-in-law's
been complaining
about sell's being down.
It all don't look
too good, do it?
You said a mouthful, Leon.
Go get that boy.
Clyde!
Not that way, Leon.
Go up to him, friendly like.
SHERIFF: You were doing
what for old man Crabtree?
Buying up sugar for his still.
SHERIFF: He got a still?
Boy, don't you know
that's illegal?
Where is he selling the stuff?
He don't directly.
He gives it to Martha
Applebee and she goes around--
did I say something wrong?
No you didn't say
nothing wrong, boy.
Keep talking.
They are calling
it God's nectar.
They say they've never been
so busy making so much money.
Well ain't that something.
Well I guess I should
be getting back now.
Guess so, Clyde.
Drop in anytime, Clyde.
And Clyde?
Don't say nothing to
the old man about having
a chat with me and Leon.
What's the matter, Clyde?
You seen that fella before?
Why no, sheriff.
No, I thought I did.
Only it ain't the same feller.
He resembles my uncle, Jedd.
Well I hope your uncle Jedd
ain't a bad one as that one is.
You been standing
there long, boy?
Just come up.
Just come up from town, in fact.
Well that's just dandy.
Old man Crabtree in the
back working away, boy.
You got some sugar for the
still you better take it to him,
hear?
Yeah, it wasn't him
I was looking for.
Clyde, it wasn't Mary Lou
you was nosing at, was it?
Huh?
Now you know-- Clyde, you
know she's off limits.
She's a worker for the Lord now.
Is that so?
Clyde, what are you after?
I want my Mary Lou back.
You fascinated her from me
with your sweet talking,
and your angels, jewels
and religious experiences.
Clyde, are you jealous of God?
Are you jealous of his
hold on her sweet soul?
Well I'm not so sure
it's her sweet soul
your after, mister Amos Huxley.
Ain't no goodness in
you is there Clyde?
Pure devil.
Well I will continue
to pray for you.
Clyde, get.
[SCREAMING]
Ow!
Clyde!
Are you crazy?
You don't like
living, or something?
Oh!
Oh!
Now hold on, Mary Lou Hold on.
I just don't want
nobody to see us.
Just let go of me.
I couldn't hold
it in no longer.
Seeing you every day and
not being able to talk
to you, to touch you.
I done told you, Clyde.
I'm a changed women.
Well I'm glad of that.
What do you mean by that?
I want you for
myself, no sharing you
with the whole county.
Why, Clyde, do you mean that?
I sure do.
Always did.
And it always burned my insides
to see you with them others.
Why don't you say so?
Well I didn't know what kind
of feelings you had towards me,
in particular.
They was always good ones.
You should have known that.
Oh, Mary Lou.
Mary Lou, I want you
to marry up with me.
Oh, Clyde.
Say you will, Mary Lou.
And I'll show you
what I can do for you.
I'll get me a job, a
real job this time.
And I'll save up
enough money to get
us a small piece of property.
And we'll have children.
Clyde?
Clyde?
Me and the Preacher.
Oh, I knew it.
I knew it.
You and the Preacher, what?
Well I was thinking of
joining him traveling and all.
Did he ask you?
Well he mentioned
the likelihood
that once I was pure enough
I could travel with him
and I could help
him with his work?
So he aim's on taking you away.
Well he won't.
I won't allow it.
What are you
talking about, Clyde?
Mar Lou, the old preacher
man ain't no real preacher.
Clyde, you're
going too far now.
You ain't got no right
to hurt the reputation
of that fine man of God.
But he ain't no
man of God at all.
You better watch what
you're saying, Clyde.
It's the truth.
You're preacher man is a
wanted man, a criminal.
Clyde, You better to
get out of her right now.
And never show your
face again because you
ain't nothing but trash.
Oh, it's the damn truth.
Jealousy has done something
to your brain, Clyde.
Filled you with poisons.
Mar Lou.
Mary Lou, I love you.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ow!
What did you do that for?
I done told you, Clyde.
Now you better get out
of here like a flash.
I ain't going to
let him have you.
I ain't going to let
him ruin your life.
I won't.
[HORN HONKING]
Martha?
Judd?
Now I'll declare.
Things sure did change when that
preacher man come, didn't they?
MARTHA: They sure did.
JUDD: You know,
I'm even thinking
about working the land, Martha.
Going to buy this little old
swimming hole for Mary Lou to
swim around in.
MARTHA: It's a mighty
big piece of land
for a man to work alone.
JUDD: 40-acres, all tillable.
MARTHA: Don't say?
JUDD: Do say?
MARTHA: How long you
been living alone?
JUDD: Too long.
I declare, Mary-Lou.
I don't see something
happy on this land.
Are you going to go?
Going?
Leaving us?
Yes.
Yes, I will after we get all
the money-- um, for the church.
Am I coming with you?
You want to?
Doing the Lord's work is the
best thing I've ever done.
I know that, honey.
I know that.
Tonight you're going
to be our angel.
[MUSIC PLAYING]: I'm
going to meet my savior.
I'll have a home
where we will lie.
I'll live in glory,
me with my Savior.
I'm going to change
my way of life.
Change your way of living.
In your home up there on high.
Well one of these days the
Lord is coming there'll
be no time to say goodbye.
When I go to meet my Savior.
I'll live in glory
me with my Savior.
I'm going to change
my way of life.
God bless you.
My, what mighty handsome
looking children.
What are such fine upstanding
people doing here, Lord?
Is it because they know
that they is miserable
sinners and they come
here to be saved?
Is it because the Holy Spirit
is a flying around inside them
a forcing them to be saved?
It is?
They are?
Well then I ain't leaving
here until every man, woman,
and child is saved.
I can't.
The Lord won't let me.
He won't allow me to leave
here till I finish up what
he'd done sent me here to do.
Now he sent me here because the
people of this entire county
have become children
of the devil.
He didn't have time
to tell me why,
but he did say you would know.
Every one of you sitting
out there would know.
Every one of you painted
women with your high skirts
and fancy hats know you going
to burn in the everlasting fires
of hell.
You don't talk about it.
Ha ha, children of the
devil don't tell a soul.
They keep it all
inside, secret like.
All twisted, disjointed carbon
crib confined, all locked in.
And then one big, fat
day they get the fear.
The fear that the Lord is near.
The fear you get
when you know you're
going to burn in that old
Devil's Hole for eternity.
Well tonight you can slip away.
Tonight you got
your chance to wash
yourself of the sins
you've been living with
and feel clean all over.
Tonight you got this
chance to repent
the years of fornicating,
lying, drinking, cheating,
and what have you.
Tonight you've got your
chance to throw yourself back
into the arms of God
and to become once again
that children of the Lord.
And then you can tell that
old devil to go to Hell, back
where he belongs.
Yeah.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[BOINGING]
CONGREGATION SINGING:
Kneel in the light.
He will save you if
you kneel in the light.
If you walk around in darkness
and you're a sinner man.
You'll fall to pieces.
You'll have no place to stand.
Let the Lord be your savior,
let him be your guide.
And he will always answer
if you kneel in the light.
Kneel, Kneel in the light.
He will save you if
you kneel in the light.
Tonight around
God and yourself,
and keep that old
devil away for good.
Now what does it take
to build a fortress?
Anybody tell me?
How about you?
How about you, little one?
Nobody?
Well I'll tell you.
It takes nothing.
Nothing at all.
You don't have to study
hard, become a minister,
anything difficult like that.
All you gotta do is put up
a place, right here, for him
to rest.
Now here's the thing, did you
know that with the devil's food
you can build God's house?
Yeah, that's right.
You see the devil
created money and now
the good lord wishes
you to reach down deep
and get over rid of it.
Now you may say, well how
far down must a man reach?
How much should he give?
And I say, when it
hurts, when it stings,
then you know that old
devil is on the run.
Then you know,
brothers and sisters,
that you've been saved.
Because that old devil
just can't take cotton
to see the house
of the lord built.
That's something
he just won't do.
Mary Lou?
Don't she look
pretty, everybody?
In her new angel gown?
Mary Lou is going to pass
amongst you with the Lord's
bucket for an offering.
Mary Lou has been
saved and the good lord
knows she's been saved, is
going to pass amongst you
for a generous offer.
So in the morning you
can see a foundation
being poured right here.
Not just any foundation,
not just any house, not
just any country store,
not just any jail,
but the foundation of
the chambers of the lord.
A place for him to rest
whenever he feels like.
Get up the next
morning, tidy up a bit,
before he goes on
to his resting.
I hear too much
clanging in the bucket.
I hear too much
clanging in the bucket.
I want to hear the rustling
sound of that soft green stuff.
Yeah, that's a little
better, brother.
Little better.
Yeah.
Brothers and sisters?
Brothers and sisters?
This is a test.
This is a test to see
the devil's amongst you.
Now he's there.
Depend on it.
He's sitting on your wallets.
He's sitting on your purses.
Not letting you open
yourself up to the lord.
Oh, God see's sin here.
He see's everybody's lust.
Your lust, your lust.
Your-- no, your lust, too.
No, don't go looking at
your neighbor, sister.
I mean you.
And you knows I mean you.
I can see deep inside
and I'll be damned
if I don't see the devil.
And I aim to pull
him out of you.
[SIRENS WAILING]
I got a story, a true story.
A story about a woman, a
young woman, a married woman.
Married to a man of standard,
a man of the fields.
A farmer who wouldn't stop
stooping and bending because he
loved God's Earth.
A man at one with the Lord.
His trouble were he
weren't no handsome devil.
How many of us is,
I ask you, huh?
Well anyway, this woman
she needed this, you see,
and it bothered her some.
Yeah, that old devil
was biting at her neck,
making her dissatisfied with
one of God's chosen children.
Biting and gnawing.
The farm needed another
hand, a drifter appeared.
A tall, handsome devil,
strong like an ox with eyes
that dug deep into a man.
Demanding eyes,
cunning eyes, and he
set his devil's eye upon her.
And she followed
them into the field,
making believe she was
carrying him a lunch.
And when he turned
in the tall grass
he looked her
straight in the face
and then he placed his
devil's hand upon her.
And he felt she was
wearing nothing underneath.
No garment, no protection,
nothing to hide her shame.
Nothing to stay that
old devil's hand.
And he was pleased.
And she giggled, and
she quivered, and she
carried on something else.
Well then suddenly
she got the fear.
Well you see, fear ain't
enough when underneath there
ain't nothing to cover up.
When there ain't no barrier
to keep that old devil out.
Well this man, this
devil's messenger,
he took her and
satisfied her lust.
And when they walked from the
tall fields that devil laughed.
And his laugh
forced her to laugh.
But lord she wanted to cry.
She had to laugh because
the devil laughed.
And her body was a shaking
now, and a quivering
because the devil was in her
and he wasn't about to leave.
And would you believe?
Would you believe that this poor
sinner-- this poor fornicator
thought she was free?
Oh, she walked from
that field an adulterous
and she thought she was
some kind of great woman.
Well every time the devil
laughed she laughed.
And soon she found she
couldn't stop laughing
no matter how she tried.
And how many you women out
there can stop laughing?
How many women you out
there can stop smiling?
How many of you women out
there can stop smirking?
You can't, because you
are the devil's prisoner.
He's sitting inside you laughing
and you don't even know it.
Yes, he's a cancer eating away.
And Lord you--
Brothers and sisters,
you see those two
signs, shipping and receiving.
If you ain't ready now to
receive the Lord than ship out,
brother.
Ship out.
Now who's first to be saved?
Come on up here.
Who's first to be saved?
Empty your pockets of the
devil's money and be saved.
Let me lay my hand on
you and you are saved.
Who's first to be saved?
Come on up.
Come on up.
Who's first to be saved?
Empty your pockets
of the devil's money
and you are saved.
[GUN SHOT]
Take your hands off of her.
Sheriff, this is the
house of the Lord.
Not with you in it it ain't.
We warned you to
get out and stay out.
I listen now to the
voices of the devil.
You can cut out the
cunning game, Mr. Huxley.
We know you ain't
no real preacher.
He's a criminal.
As God as my witness,
I am being framed.
Wanted in three states.
Are you going to allow them
to touch a man of the Lord?
Now hold on Zero and Leon.
Judd, don't interfere
with the law,
you're in a heap
of trouble already.
Oh, am I?
Oh, am I. Now listen
here Mr. Zero Bull,
you call a barging in here,
busting up a fine service,
making everybody feel all
jittery and unwelcome.
I'm the deacon in this
here church and I say get.
And I mean get.
Why you old fool, I've got
a warrant for his arrest.
The federal government's
looking for him?
They is?
Why that's a different story.
We better ask the preacher
about that then, I reckon.
I'm forming a posse.
I baptize the whole
congregational.
All of you on the
left follow me.
All of you on the
right follow Leon.
and be real careful
because he's dangerous.
Come oh, honey.
Come on.
I ain't going, Amos.
I can't.
What are you talking about?
Carolina is just
down the road a piece
If you hurry you can make it.
AMOS: Ain't you going?
I done told you, Amos.
I can't.
What about all our plans?
All The travelling?
What-- what about you and me?
Amos, I can't go.
Mary Lou, it's Clyde, ain't it?
Well that boy whipped
you something fierce.
Well good luck, honey.
Hey listen there's
a little package
underneath your mattress.
You give it to the deacon.
He'll know what to do with it.
God bless you, Mary Lou.
Bye!
God bless you, Amos Huxley.
Yeah.
Sheriff, sheriff, this way.
Clyde?
Let him run, Clyde.
Let him go.
Well where the hell is he?
Clyde Massingale, you sent
us on a wild goose chaise.
You are more of a dimwit
than I thought you was.
There he goes, sheriff.
Down the highway.
Let's head him
off with the truck.
[HORN HONKING]
THEME SONG: While
the preacher man
preached all the sins of a women
the lady in the red walked in.
From a front row seat
in the congregation
she gave him a hungry grin.
And when the preacher man
ran for his life guess who
kept him from a jailhouse bed?
The last thing the
sheriff could see
was the preacher man fleeing
with the lady in red.
You better run preacher man.
You better run for your life.
The sheriff's got a
gun, and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
MUSIC PLAYING: I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong from right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can
for I've been touched
by the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah I've been
saved by the preacher man.
My life was filled with
wrong till the preacher
man came along.
And with the help of the
angel Leroy he gave stand.
He saved my soul from Hell.
Now I'm happy, I can tell.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
I've been saved by
the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong from right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can
for I've been touched
by the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
of today's headlines
comes a movie bigger
than the 10 commandments.
An inspiring movie of
biblical proportions.
44 1936.
Preacher man, his silver
tongue manipulates the masses.
Because you're the
devil's prisoner.
He's sitting inside you laughing
and you don't even know it.
Yes, he's a cancer eating away.
And, Lord, better call him out.
NARRATOR: His preaching
fills his pockets with gold.
You see the devil
created money and now
the good Lord wishes
you to reach down deep
and get rid of it.
[SIRENS WAILING]
NARRATOR: He gives new
meaning to fatherly love.
Don't tell a soul.
He came right on time.
NARRATOR: Preacherman.
He is the man of the
club who performs
miracles between the sheets.
When he hears
confessions of sexual sin
it raises more than his
spiritual awareness.
Preacher man, he's
a hard driving,
smooth talking, two
fisted fighting, law
breaking pastor of disaster.
He's a man of action, a man
of peace, a man of passion,
and a moving target.
[GUN SHOTS]
And then you can tell that
old devil to go to to Hell.
NARRATOR: Preacher
man, he preaches
the gospel of deception to
gain a young girls reception.
When the rubber meets the
road the pistol pumping, tire
screeching, gear
turning preacher
is always a step
ahead of the law
while staying in
step with the ladies.
When he comforts your daughters
they haven't got a prayer.
Preacher man will hit your
tight below the Bible Belt.
[ROOSTER CROWING]
[FARM NOISES]
SISTER BERTHA: What
you gonna do now?
AMOS: Just hold on
tight, honey child.
SISTER BERTHA: Oh, my.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS]
[ENGINE REVVING]
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
I seen him, sheriff.
I seen him.
Where?
Up in Jeff Row
Clemon's hayloft.
Who was the gal?
Well?
It was Bertha.
What's the matter?
Why'd you stop?
I gotta be running
along, sweet thing.
So like I done told
you, don't tell a soul,
because that would be wrong.
And you wouldn't
want to do anything
wrong now would you, sister?
Can't you stay a
little longer, Reverend?
Sister Bertha, the Lord giveth
and the Lord taketh away.
God bless you, sister.
THEME SONG: Amos
Huxley was supposed
to be a man of God against sin.
He could preach
the fire's of Hell
so hot no man would
thing he had sin.
But a hunger for women
and a love for money
made him a wanted man.
They put his face on posters
in the two Carolina's and down
in the Georgia land.
You better run preacher man.
You better run for you life.
The sheriff's got a
gun and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYING]
[CHURCH BELL RINGING]
Thank you so much
for coming, sister.
Thank you, brother.
What a lovely dress you
have on today, sister.
Nice to see you again.
Preacher.
Boy, I want to-- I want to
see you-- see more of you,
you hear?
I haven't seen you
for six months.
You watch yourself.
Come on now.
Nice to see you.
Nice to see you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Reverend?
Howdy, deputy.
Reverend Huxley,
circuit Preacher?
That's right.
So you fellas catch
up with those two boys
that run up on the chain gang?
--Well not yet, but there
ain't going to be anybody
in or out of this county.
We've set up road
blocks and we've
got it closed tight as a drum.
That's fine.
Fine.
Real fine.
Reverend?
Sheriff wants to
have a word with you.
Yeah.
It's always a pleasure to
welcome a man of the law
to the house of the Lord.
What can I do for you, sheriff?
Is this the man?
Yes.
I do declare, if that ain't
sister Bertha sitting there,
and all teared up.
Are you all right, sister?
We missed your sweet singing
at the meeting this morning.
You didn't go and do anything
wrong now did you sister?
No, Reverend, you did.
You see this girl here is
the sheriff's daughter.
Oh, Lord.
Now get in the car.
THEME SONG: Now the
preacher's going to jail
and the sins of man
is plain for all
to see that his mind wasn't
on the ways of the world,
but on the sheriff's
daughter's knee.
And if you look
real close you can
hear him sigh from the
thoughts that were in his mind.
He was self-ordained
as a preacher man
but he wasn't the
believing kind.
You better run, preacher man.
You better run for your life.
The sheriff's got a
gun and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
If I ever catch you
in this county again
I'll personally
hit you in the eye.
I'll smash you in the ear.
I'll kick you in the mouth.
And I'll push your nose
to the back of your head.
In other words, I'll close
everything that's open and open
everything that's closed.
Here's something to remind you.
Leon!
[GRUNTS]
[ENGINE FALTERING]
[BANGING]
[ENGINE STARTING]
[HORN HONKING]
Mary Lou?
[HORN HONKING]
Mary Lou?
[HORN HONKING]
What you want, papa?
I'm going into Roundrob
be back by nightfall.
If that Clyde
Massingale and them boys
comes around here sniffing you
take my gun and run them off,
ya hear?
Yes, papa.
Have supper ready.
[ENGINE REVVING]
Who's there?
I said, who's there
and I mean it.
Come on out of there I'm
going to start shooting.
CLYDE: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Clyde?
[BOING]
Marvin?
[BOING]
Jimmy?
[BOING]
Billy Joe?
[BOING]
Hi, fellas.
Why don't you come inside?
Not that way you sillies.
Come on in the front way.
[MOANING]
CLYDE: My, oh my.
Ain't you something?
[LAUGHTER]
How many?
[SNEEZING]
Here this will
straighten you up.
My, my.
Ain't that something?
Shut up, Billy Joe.
Give me four.
[MOANING]
CLYDE: Oh, Mary Lou.
Oh, Mary Lou, you're so pretty.
I'm out.
MARY LOU: Oh!
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Ain't you through yet, Clyde?
No, damn it, now stop
bothering me, ya hear?
Clyde, you've been
in there over an hour.
You're going to have
her plumb tuckered
out before I get to her.
Not Mary Lou.
Boy, she's something else.
You're disgusting.
You know that, Billy Joe?
I think maybe you're some kind
of a pervert or something.
You watch your mouth, boy.
Yeah, boy.
You want to make
something out of it, huh?
Is that what you want?
Oh.
Clyde!
come here quick, huh?
Clyde, we got to get.
I told you to
stop bothering me,
Marvin and I meant what I said.
Clyde, look.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
It's your old man.
He's back.
[SCREAMING]
Oh!
Through here!
What's the matter with you?
Hi, papa.
You're back early.
I didn't expect
you until tonight.
When I call at you
you answer, girl.
You deep or something.
Now get your fanny out
here and give me a hand.
Well sure, papa.
I just didn't here you come up.
I was laying in bed.
[SNEEZING]
God bless you.
Why you little hussy.
[SCREAMING]
[GUN SHOTS]
Ah!
Reverend?
I must be dead.
And you must be one of
the good Lord's angel's.
Hardly.
Well where am I?
What is-- what is this place?
I'm Judd Crabtree.
This here is my
little girl, Mary Lou.
We found you down
the road in a heap.
Who done you in, Reverend?
Uh, I reckon it was
those two convicts
I happened to light upon.
I reached out the Lord's
hand and they fell on it.
Why if I were there I would
have scratched out their eyes.
To do such a thing to
such a fine looking man.
My what a sweet thing.
[LAUGHING]
Yes, sir.
Good.
That's real good.
I wish there was
some way to return
all this Christian kindness
with a little deed of my own.
A little bit more of that
fine coffee please, ma'am.
Sure.
Hell, preacher, there is.
There's a meaningful thing
that only you can do.
Hmm?
Listen here, brother.
Mary Lou's mother
died in childbirth.
And as she was dying she made
me promise to baptize the girl.
She ain't been baptized.
Would you please
pass those collards?
Thank you.
Since my Sarah's death,
well I've been a lost man.
Maybe that's the reason
Mary Lou's the way she is.
Hmm.
Could I have just
a little bit more
of that corn you've
got over there?
Thank you.
Now her mama was
good, a good women,
sang and played the piano.
Well Mary Lou looks mighty
good to me my, mighty good.
So do them biscuits.
JUDD: I believe the devil's
lied deep in her because I
never got her baptized.
Preacher, did you know she's
got an unnatural hankering
for men folk?
Does she now?
Well I hadn't noticed.
What have you got to say
for yourself, Mary Lou?
Why-- why-- why every
time a man just touches
me I go all gooey inside.
Yeah?
And then I-- I mean he and I--
There's no need to
describe everything.
It is important
that she confesses
the whole of her sins.
Now you go right on, little one.
Well, Reverend, it's like this.
Mm-hmm.
Most girls like one boy.
Yeah?
Others have more.
Two and three and--
Yeah.
--four.
Like that Clyde
Massingale and Marvin--
Well it's clear as day what's
needed here is a baptism.
JUDD: Thank the Lord.
Yeah.
[HORN HONKING]
Howdy, Judd.
Mary Lou.
Oh, you too, preacher.
Martha we is busy.
Can't you see?
Judd, I got this new
ointment for your leg.
If you use it everyday it
won't cramp up on you no more.
Now Martha we is busy.
Oh, yeah.
I come by this here nice tie.
I want you to have it.
I don't need--
It won't cost you anything.
It's a gift.
Take it.
Martha, now there's
nothing that we
need from the truck today.
And, besides, Mary Lou
and the Preacher and
myself, we is got business.
A marrying?
No, Martha, not a marrying.
Well I could do the singing.
I've got a powerful
singing voice, preacher.
And so has my brother, Henry.
I've been told together
we can make a stone cry.
Is that so?
Martha Applebee, preacher,
pleased to me you.
It's a pleasure to
meet you, sister.
Why what happened to your head?
Oh nothing just a little--
Oh, well here let me
take a look at that.
Martha, me and the preacher--
Are you coming
our way to preach?
No, as a matter of fact,
sister, I was just leaving.
Roadblocks still up, both
ends of White Oak County.
No one can go in and out
without first being checked.
Even me.
Must be looking
for those escapes.
They is the ones who whooped
up on the preacher man.
Don't say?
-Do say?
-White Oak?
We're still in White Oak?
Yep, picked you up
in Orange and brung
you back to White Oak.
Is something wrong, preacher.
My head, things are beginning
to spin all about me.
Yes, that blow must have
been harder than I figured.
Oh, Reverend,
sit yourself down.
Yes.
Yes, thank you.
I think I will.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Wow I guess I'll be having
to call on your hospitality
a little bit more
than I had planned.
Well that'll be
an honor, Reverend.
Sure enough.
The good Lord sure moves
in strange way, does he not?
And I hear him a-calling
me to perform a baptism?
Thank the Lord.
When?
When preacher?
First thing in the morning.
The devil must be washed
away from this pour,
unfortunate creatures sole
before any time elapses.
Well there's this little
old water hole where
I-- I swim alone sometimes.
Yeah, I think that
the little old place
that the good lord had in mind.
Preacher, can I bring
my brother, Henry?
Why sure, sister Martha, sure.
Thank you, Preacher.
Henry just loves baptisms.
That's good.
MARTHA AND HENRY: (SINGING) On
the banks of your sweet river
we sing our praise to thee.
And ask our Lord to give this
soul the light of God to see.
We need the hand of God
to wash away our sins.
Savior, open up your arm
let a sinner's soul come in.
Let a sinner's soul come in.
We ask, oh Lord, today.
Let the waters of the Lord
wash all our sins away.
Let the light of God shine
through so we can see our sins.
Savior open up your arms.
Let a sinner's and soul come in.
AMOS: I baptize thee,
Mary Lou Crabtree,
in the name of
the good Lord that
put us down on this here Earth.
Lord, this sweet
young thing, who
has been put in one of the
finest bodies you have ever
built, didn't know
right from wrong
when she got all messed
up with them boys.
Her soul said, no.
No.
But her body said go.
Lord, the old man and I
would be beholden to you
if you wash away all them
bad thing she done did
and take her back to the fold.
Amen.
And Adam said, this is now bone
of my bones, flesh of my flesh.
And she shall be called women.
Because she was
taken out of man.
Therefore shall a man leave
his father and his mother
and shall cleave unto his wife.
And they shall be one flesh.
And they were both naked,
the man and his wife.
And were not ashamed.
Amen.
Reverend?
Yes, little one?
I got the funniest kind of
feeling all inside my body
when you done baptized me.
What kind of a
feeling, little one?
I don't know.
I just tingle from the bottom of
my toes to the top of my head.
I ain't never felt
like that before.
Never ever.
Not even with them boys.
I once knew a sweet young
thing just like yourself.
She'd tingle inside like her
inside's were upside down.
Yea, that's just like I feel.
And I'd say, you're ripe and
ready to do the Lord's work,
Mary Lou.
Because that's what that
little girl went and done.
And you know something?
She did real well.
Oh, my.
She was one of the chosen
and didn't even know it.
Do you think that I might
be one of the chosen, too?
Well I can't rightly
tell, but we could check.
Why don't you turn
around, honey.
Yeah, turn around.
Let me show you.
This won't hurt.
There.
Now relax.
OK.
Yeah.
How you feel now?
I just am aching all over now.
[LAUGHTER]
There.
Ooh-hoo.
Would you like to work
for the Lord, Mary-Lou?
I don't rightly know.
You know, I can just
see you now dressed
in a long, white
robe that reaches
to the floor with
big angel sleeves
that when you raise
your arms to the sky
you look just like
an angel of the Lord.
Oh.
I ain't never seen a
dress like that before.
Preacher?
I just got this
aching inside of me
I want to do the Lord's work.
Could I?
Could I?
Yes.
Preacher?
Is my sweet, little thing really
fit to do the Lord's work?
That's a good
question, old man.
No, no she ain't fit yet.
Not until after the visitation.
Visitation?
What's a visitation, Reverend?
Well that's when
someone comes a calling.
Who's going to come a calling?
Well the angel Leroy.
Angel Leroy?
I don't think I done ever
heard of the Angel Leroy.
Well few people
have, you see, he only
comes to those
young, sweet things
that are ripe and ready
to do the Lord's work.
When does he come?
Oh, around midnight.
Stays two hours,
sometimes three.
In your case I'd say three.
What does my sweet, little girl
got to do to get the visitation
from angel Leroy?
Well first of all she's going
to have to want Leroy to come.
Oh, I do.
I do.
I really-- I truly do.
And then the next thing,
you have to go to your room
and you burn this
sweet smelling powder.
And then you take this
candle, you light it
and place it buy the window.
Take off all worldly
clothing and jump in the bed
in your birthday suit.
Just like the good Lord put
you down on this here Earth.
Then you drink this
special angel potion.
Now it's going to burn
at first but don't worry
because the more
it burns the better
the visitation is going to be.
But don't drink it all.
Save a few swigs for Leroy.
Why?
Do he drink the potion too?
Never question the
habits of angel's child.
That's the first rule
and don't you forget it.
You do like angel Leroy
says, as you hear girl?
Oh, Lord.
First a man of the Lord in
our little house and tonight
the visitation of
the angel Leroy.
Amen.
Now I can't promise
you anything, old man.
He may come and he may not.
He may not be able to
find this God forsaken
place that's so out of the way.
What can I do?
I do want my little
girl to have her chance.
Well there is a way to
guarantee the visitation.
Have you got a ladder?
A tall ladder?
Yes, sir.
Good.
You take this lamp, and
you get that ladder.
And you go to your room and
place that in the window.
And you drink that potion.
And you get with it because
we ain't got much time, right?
Now let's get with it.
JUDD: Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
Are you the angel Leroy?
Yes.
Yeah?
What do you want me to do now?
Move over.
JUDD: Leroy?
Leroy?
Leroy?
MARY LOU: (SINGING) I've been
saved by the Preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong for right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can.
I've been touched by
the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Morning, papa.
Tell me, child.
Did the angel Leroy come?
Papa, he came right on time.
And he left at sunrise.
thank you so much, papa.
Lordy me.
SHERIFF: That's
what I should have
done to the son of a bitch.
Well now, Sheriff,
you know this man's
not wanted for murder.
SHERIFF: Same thing.
No, I'm afraid not.
What he's wanted
for is extortion,
fraud, and statutory rape.
What kind of rape is that?
Never you mind, Leon.
He sure gets around, don't he?
You might say that.
This fella down in Georgia well
he put up $500 in reward money
for him.
Must have wanted him real bad.
Where the story goes, he
couldn't have proper relations
with his wife no more.
[LAUGHTER]
So he confesses this
to the Preacher man
who promptly sends him off
on some holy pilgrimage.
Well when he returns
home, he find
both his wife, and his
16-year-old daughter,
mighty pregnant.
Son-of-a-bitch, and
I had him right here.
Sheriff, how about
you and your deputy
be on close look
out for him just
in case he happens to show
up around these parts again,
will you?
No chance.
He's got to be miles from here.
MARY LOU: You always
been a Preacher?
No, Mary-Lou, there
was another time.
What did you do before?
I traveled about
with the carnival.
[LAUGHTER]
Oh, golly.
I'd sure like to
travel about myself.
You will when you're ready.
When did you
leave the carnival?
The day a friend of mine died.
After that well things just
weren't the same anymore.
I know what you mean.
I had myself this little
black and white kitten
that went and died on me.
And I was sick for days.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Oh, what you want, papa?
JUDD: Get your fanny in here.
It's time to go to bed.
He's always yelling at me.
If he had himself
a woman he wouldn't
be bothering me so much.
Well it appears to me
Martha would be more
than ready to tie the knot.
Sure enough.
Only Papa don't see
her like no woman.
The man is blind.
JUDD: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Oh, come on, Papa.
Well goodnight, preacher.
Goodnight, Mary-Lou.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
MAN: (SINGING) There
was another time,
another place, another world.
There was another night,
another kiss, another girl.
And every time I think
about that other place,
that other love it's then I
long to be in that other time,
in that other, other world.
In that other time, in
that other, other world.
40-acres.
AMOS: You know there was
a time when I would have
given anything for 40 acres.
JUDD: All of it
tillable, yes sir.
Trouble is I haven't
done a thing with it
since my Sarah's done
die, not a blasted thing.
Waste of the good Lord's Earth.
Just didn't feel like
growing nothing no more.
Lord is shaking his
fist at you, Judd.
I know it.
I know it.
And I feel it.
And he has a right
to do it, but that's
going to change, Preacher.
I'm going to change.
Amen, Judd.
This here is going to
be the best run piece
of land in these here parts.
Amen, brother.
Only well it--
Let's here it.
What is it?
There's something
that's been bothering me.
Something I've been keeping
inside, locked up from you.
And I got to pull it
from my conscience
before I can make any changes.
Well what is it?
I mean, don't let it stay there.
Don't let it fester
like a bad wound.
A still?
JUDD: A still.
My way, preacher.
My poor way of taking care
of Mary-Lou and myself.
Lord.
JUDD: I know it's a sin, Lordy.
A still.
JUDD: Have pity
on a poor sinner.
Oh, Lord.
JUDD: I beg forgiveness, I do.
Please understand
the feelings of a man
who just lost his wife.
A good wife who could
sing and play the piano.
Fact is it wasn't
my idea at all.
It was the sheriff
who set me up.
The sheriff?
JUDD: I sale to the Sheriff and
he sells to his brother-in-law
who runs a general store.
Lord.
JUDD: S Good man
Preacher, a pious man.
Oh, really?
JUDD: You'll meet him once.
Oh, really?
He come up here often?
JUDD: Hardly much.
Yeah, that's good.
What's good?
Oh, it's a good and lucky
thing the Lord hasn't seen
fit to work his anger
on you, the Sheriff,
and his brother-in-law.
That's what's good.
JUDD: Sure is.
Sure is.
I must have been protected
by some good angel.
Well I ain't taken
no more chances.
Hold on, brother.
Hold on.
Didn't you know that
the devil's tonic
can become God's eye water?
Why, no.
No, I didn't know that.
Well it's true.
This still right where
it's standing, brother,
can become the foundation
of a church of God.
It could?
That's true.
That's true.
You see what we do is
we continue to sell
the corn liquor as always.
But this time we cut out the
Sheriff and his brother-in-law.
As a matter of
fact, we send Martha
and Henry from house to house.
Martha?
Yes, every man, woman,
and child in this county
will become part of
this great drama.
The building of a church right
here in this hallowed ground.
Martha will go up from farm
to farm, from shack to shack,
and the Lord will be
on the truck with her.
Amen.
(SINGING): I'm going to meet
my savior up there when I die.
When I die.
Ain't going to hang--
Yeah, and the money
is going to come in
until our pockets will fill up.
And then, oh man,
we're going to go out.
We're going to buy some
nails, and some lumber.
And buy everything
that's necessary to build
a house of the Lord.
And then, old man,
think in that house
all the souls that
I'll be able to save.
And you-- you-- you, old
man, because the Lord
has been with you-- the
Lord has inspired you.
You will be coming our
deacon, first officer,
first officer of his house.
Second in command.
Amen.
Yeah.
THEME SONG: Making moonshine
whiskey was a way to make money
and Amos didn't pass it up.
He had a ready-made
still and help to run it.
And a chance to make
a few fast bucks.
Along with the still came
Mary Lou and the preacher man
smiled inside for the
still meant money,
Mary Lou meant love, and he'd
sure take her for a ride.
And he'd sure take
her for a ride.
(SINGING): I'M going to meet
my Savior up there when I die.
JUDD: Leroy
(SINGING): Ain't
going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
JUDD: Leroy?
(SINGING): Going to get
down on bended knees, thank
the Lord and say and please.
I'm going to meet my
Savior up there when I die.
JUDD: Leroy?
CLYDE: Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
I'll teach those
tomcats to come whining
around here once and for--
No, papa, let me.
Clyde?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Marvin?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Jimmy?
[BOING]
MARRY Lou: Billy Joe?
[BOING]
MARY LOU: Now you boys
listen to me real good.
I told you I don't want
you calling on me no more.
I done been baptized, had the
visitation of the angel Leroy,
and I got myself
religion, and all.
Do you know
anybody named Leroy?
I've never known him.
Ain't no Leroy around here.
You heard a man named Leroy?
No.
No.
No.
Who in the Hell's Leroy?
Leroy is a
religious experience.
And let me tell you, even
though he's just an angel,
boy hes better than the whole
bunch of you put together.
So get.
I'm going to tell my pappy
to start shooting at you.
Amen.
What the hell's going on?
I know.
Come on.
[MUSIC - "I'M GOING TO MEET MY
SAVIOR]
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank the Lord
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
When my life on Earth is ended
I'm going home to see my Lord
and to kneel around his throne.
I'm going to sing and
shout with pride for that's
when I'll be satisfied.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank the Lord,
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
saviour up there when I die.
Sinner man you'd better
listen to what I say.
Don't feel shame to get
down on your knees and pray.
Ask the Lord to take you in,
keep you safe away from sin.
You're going to meet your
savior up there when you die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
Ain't going to hang my head
in shame and start to cry.
Going to get down on bended
knees, thank my Lord,
and say I'm pleased.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
I'm going to meet my
savior up there when I die.
MARY LOU: (SINGING) I've
saved by the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong for right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can.
I've been touched by
the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Well what do you think
about it, preacher?
When do you think she's
going to be ready?
Soon, brother.
Soon.
It's going to be soon.
It's just got to be soon or
you going to be a burying me.
Now, brother Judd, you know
what we need around here?
We need some help
to spell you a bit.
What with lowering our
prices and shutting out
that middleman has made our corn
liquor mighty attractive item.
Yeah.
Who do you suppose
we could hire?
Ain't nobody around these
parts a looking for work.
Here they don't come to it,
or they've got too much.
Unless maybe old Farley.
Who's Farley?
Has a neighboring
piece of land.
Raises chickens.
Farley's a strange one, he is.
Yeah, look, we need
nobody running around here,
coming in and out of work.
We need somebody that's going
to stay around the clock.
None of this 5 o'clock business
and then running to your wife.
Farley ain't got no wife.
Well then running to his
women, or to his mama.
He ain't got no
mama nor a women.
He ain't got a wife,
a mama, or a woman?
Well what's he got?
Chickens.
Chickens?
Chickens.
I told you, Farley
is a strange one.
Saddam and Gomorrah.
[CHICKENS CLUCKING]
AMOS: Lord.
Lord, look at your soldiers.
Are your sure this
is the Lord's work?
There ain't nothing better
than building his house now
is there, brother?
I suppose so.
Yeah.
Keep your mind on
the Lord, Farley.
On the Lord.
I'm trying.
I'm trying.
How we dong, preacher?
Well ain't count it up
yet but my pockets are
bulging so we gotta be close.
Can't be soon enough for me.
The Lord's work ain't
always the easy road, deacon.
Ain't always the easy road.
Afternoon, Mary Lou.
Afternoon, preacher.
My where is our
spirit this fine day?
I don't know.
Last few days I've
just been plumb tired.
Well them visitations is
getting longer and longer.
That's a good sign, child.
That means you
almost been purified.
Do it?
Oh, Lord have mercy.
I do hope so.
Depend on it.
Depend on it.
Mary Lou?
Mary Lou?
Clyde, what are you doing here?
I told you not to come
around her no more.
I come around because
I had to tell you.
There's something
I want to tell you.
[BANG]
-Pa!
Clyde!
Hold on, brother.
Or they'll be a
killing on God's soil.
Good thing, too.
And they shall beat their
swords into plow shares.
Let the boy speak his piece.
He ain't nothing
but a hungering
pole cat after my Mary Lou.
That's what he is.
No, I ain't.
Ya ain't?
That's right.
Fact is, I come to get
religion like the rest of you.
Amen.
I seen everybody working
here, happy and all,
and I figured this
must be a good thing
what you're all doing.
None your business
what we're doing, Clyde.
Brother Crabtree,
the boys repentant.
And a repentant sinner is the
Lord's most cherished child.
Long as I don't
have to cherish him.
Is that true, Clyde?
It sure is.
Old man, it is my duty
to save those souls
that wants to be saved.
Even those as mean and
ornery as Clyde here.
And there's no
better way to root
the devil out of a man, brother,
than to put him to work.
Why, Clyde here could go
into town, pick up supplies.
Yes, and do all
the heavy lifting.
Couldn't you, Clyde?
Oh, I'll do anything to help.
I want to be saved, preacher.
Amen, brother.
Anything you say, Reverend.
But Clyde?
Mary Lou's off limits.
You hear that?
You hear it boy?
Fill her up.
Afternoon, sister Martha.
Howdy.
We're doing better
everyday, preacher.
Why I suspect our
home delivery's
going to put the sheriff
right smack out of business.
That it might, sister.
That it just might.
Got some good news
for you, preacher.
Those escaped
convicts been caught,
the one's that done you in.
The Lord sure moves swiftly.
Does he not, sister?
Well I'm thankful
anyway, because now
that that roadblocks
been lifted I
can get over to
those other counties
with our delicious, eye wash.
When?
When did they left
the roadblock?
Today.
Just today as a matter of fact.
And that means I'm going to
be needing more of everything
if I'm going to be
able to branch out.
Lord, this is wondrous news.
This is God's news.
And it's God's signal, sister.
And I'm hearing it
loud and clear .
And he's calling me.
He's calling me to go and gather
up the country folk to bring
them here for one last meeting.
To raise the money to raise
the roof of his house.
Amen.
Lord, I feel like singing.
(SINGING: I'm going to make
my home in heaven when I die.
Stand beside his golden
throne by and by.
I'm going to walk to the
promised land with my savior--
Now sister, here's some
special material because it's
a special occasion.
And it's God's day and I want
you to get yourself decked
out real pretty like, ya hear?
And, come on, take
off those things
and look the Lord
square in the face.
He wants to see his women
looking real pretty like.
No go, sister Martha, go.
And spread the word.
Brother Henry?
Spread the word.
And spread the liquor.
MUSIC PLAYING: One of these
days it won't be long I'm
going to sing the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
Stand beside his golden
throne in the sky.
I want to walk to
the promise land
with my savior, hand in hand.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
By and by, in the sky.
I want to walk the streets
of glory, by and by.
One of these days,
and it won't be long,
I'm going to sing
the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
One of these days,
and it won't be long,
I'm going to sing
the victory song.
I want to make my home
in heaven when I die.
What do you suppose
Clyde Massingale's up to?
Yeah, in old man
Crabtree's truck, too.
Right?
He's supposed to hate
that boy something fierce.
He does.
I hope nothing's
happened to that old man
that he's got to
rely on that dimwit.
Right?
Say, maybe something
has happened?
The old man ain't been to
town with a fresh supply
in over two weeks now.
That's a fact, Leon.
My brother-in-law's
been complaining
about sell's being down.
It all don't look
too good, do it?
You said a mouthful, Leon.
Go get that boy.
Clyde!
Not that way, Leon.
Go up to him, friendly like.
SHERIFF: You were doing
what for old man Crabtree?
Buying up sugar for his still.
SHERIFF: He got a still?
Boy, don't you know
that's illegal?
Where is he selling the stuff?
He don't directly.
He gives it to Martha
Applebee and she goes around--
did I say something wrong?
No you didn't say
nothing wrong, boy.
Keep talking.
They are calling
it God's nectar.
They say they've never been
so busy making so much money.
Well ain't that something.
Well I guess I should
be getting back now.
Guess so, Clyde.
Drop in anytime, Clyde.
And Clyde?
Don't say nothing to
the old man about having
a chat with me and Leon.
What's the matter, Clyde?
You seen that fella before?
Why no, sheriff.
No, I thought I did.
Only it ain't the same feller.
He resembles my uncle, Jedd.
Well I hope your uncle Jedd
ain't a bad one as that one is.
You been standing
there long, boy?
Just come up.
Just come up from town, in fact.
Well that's just dandy.
Old man Crabtree in the
back working away, boy.
You got some sugar for the
still you better take it to him,
hear?
Yeah, it wasn't him
I was looking for.
Clyde, it wasn't Mary Lou
you was nosing at, was it?
Huh?
Now you know-- Clyde, you
know she's off limits.
She's a worker for the Lord now.
Is that so?
Clyde, what are you after?
I want my Mary Lou back.
You fascinated her from me
with your sweet talking,
and your angels, jewels
and religious experiences.
Clyde, are you jealous of God?
Are you jealous of his
hold on her sweet soul?
Well I'm not so sure
it's her sweet soul
your after, mister Amos Huxley.
Ain't no goodness in
you is there Clyde?
Pure devil.
Well I will continue
to pray for you.
Clyde, get.
[SCREAMING]
Ow!
Clyde!
Are you crazy?
You don't like
living, or something?
Oh!
Oh!
Now hold on, Mary Lou Hold on.
I just don't want
nobody to see us.
Just let go of me.
I couldn't hold
it in no longer.
Seeing you every day and
not being able to talk
to you, to touch you.
I done told you, Clyde.
I'm a changed women.
Well I'm glad of that.
What do you mean by that?
I want you for
myself, no sharing you
with the whole county.
Why, Clyde, do you mean that?
I sure do.
Always did.
And it always burned my insides
to see you with them others.
Why don't you say so?
Well I didn't know what kind
of feelings you had towards me,
in particular.
They was always good ones.
You should have known that.
Oh, Mary Lou.
Mary Lou, I want you
to marry up with me.
Oh, Clyde.
Say you will, Mary Lou.
And I'll show you
what I can do for you.
I'll get me a job, a
real job this time.
And I'll save up
enough money to get
us a small piece of property.
And we'll have children.
Clyde?
Clyde?
Me and the Preacher.
Oh, I knew it.
I knew it.
You and the Preacher, what?
Well I was thinking of
joining him traveling and all.
Did he ask you?
Well he mentioned
the likelihood
that once I was pure enough
I could travel with him
and I could help
him with his work?
So he aim's on taking you away.
Well he won't.
I won't allow it.
What are you
talking about, Clyde?
Mar Lou, the old preacher
man ain't no real preacher.
Clyde, you're
going too far now.
You ain't got no right
to hurt the reputation
of that fine man of God.
But he ain't no
man of God at all.
You better watch what
you're saying, Clyde.
It's the truth.
You're preacher man is a
wanted man, a criminal.
Clyde, You better to
get out of her right now.
And never show your
face again because you
ain't nothing but trash.
Oh, it's the damn truth.
Jealousy has done something
to your brain, Clyde.
Filled you with poisons.
Mar Lou.
Mary Lou, I love you.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ow!
What did you do that for?
I done told you, Clyde.
Now you better get out
of here like a flash.
I ain't going to
let him have you.
I ain't going to let
him ruin your life.
I won't.
[HORN HONKING]
Martha?
Judd?
Now I'll declare.
Things sure did change when that
preacher man come, didn't they?
MARTHA: They sure did.
JUDD: You know,
I'm even thinking
about working the land, Martha.
Going to buy this little old
swimming hole for Mary Lou to
swim around in.
MARTHA: It's a mighty
big piece of land
for a man to work alone.
JUDD: 40-acres, all tillable.
MARTHA: Don't say?
JUDD: Do say?
MARTHA: How long you
been living alone?
JUDD: Too long.
I declare, Mary-Lou.
I don't see something
happy on this land.
Are you going to go?
Going?
Leaving us?
Yes.
Yes, I will after we get all
the money-- um, for the church.
Am I coming with you?
You want to?
Doing the Lord's work is the
best thing I've ever done.
I know that, honey.
I know that.
Tonight you're going
to be our angel.
[MUSIC PLAYING]: I'm
going to meet my savior.
I'll have a home
where we will lie.
I'll live in glory,
me with my Savior.
I'm going to change
my way of life.
Change your way of living.
In your home up there on high.
Well one of these days the
Lord is coming there'll
be no time to say goodbye.
When I go to meet my Savior.
I'll live in glory
me with my Savior.
I'm going to change
my way of life.
God bless you.
My, what mighty handsome
looking children.
What are such fine upstanding
people doing here, Lord?
Is it because they know
that they is miserable
sinners and they come
here to be saved?
Is it because the Holy Spirit
is a flying around inside them
a forcing them to be saved?
It is?
They are?
Well then I ain't leaving
here until every man, woman,
and child is saved.
I can't.
The Lord won't let me.
He won't allow me to leave
here till I finish up what
he'd done sent me here to do.
Now he sent me here because the
people of this entire county
have become children
of the devil.
He didn't have time
to tell me why,
but he did say you would know.
Every one of you sitting
out there would know.
Every one of you painted
women with your high skirts
and fancy hats know you going
to burn in the everlasting fires
of hell.
You don't talk about it.
Ha ha, children of the
devil don't tell a soul.
They keep it all
inside, secret like.
All twisted, disjointed carbon
crib confined, all locked in.
And then one big, fat
day they get the fear.
The fear that the Lord is near.
The fear you get
when you know you're
going to burn in that old
Devil's Hole for eternity.
Well tonight you can slip away.
Tonight you got
your chance to wash
yourself of the sins
you've been living with
and feel clean all over.
Tonight you got this
chance to repent
the years of fornicating,
lying, drinking, cheating,
and what have you.
Tonight you've got your
chance to throw yourself back
into the arms of God
and to become once again
that children of the Lord.
And then you can tell that
old devil to go to Hell, back
where he belongs.
Yeah.
[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[BOINGING]
CONGREGATION SINGING:
Kneel in the light.
He will save you if
you kneel in the light.
If you walk around in darkness
and you're a sinner man.
You'll fall to pieces.
You'll have no place to stand.
Let the Lord be your savior,
let him be your guide.
And he will always answer
if you kneel in the light.
Kneel, Kneel in the light.
He will save you if
you kneel in the light.
Tonight around
God and yourself,
and keep that old
devil away for good.
Now what does it take
to build a fortress?
Anybody tell me?
How about you?
How about you, little one?
Nobody?
Well I'll tell you.
It takes nothing.
Nothing at all.
You don't have to study
hard, become a minister,
anything difficult like that.
All you gotta do is put up
a place, right here, for him
to rest.
Now here's the thing, did you
know that with the devil's food
you can build God's house?
Yeah, that's right.
You see the devil
created money and now
the good lord wishes
you to reach down deep
and get over rid of it.
Now you may say, well how
far down must a man reach?
How much should he give?
And I say, when it
hurts, when it stings,
then you know that old
devil is on the run.
Then you know,
brothers and sisters,
that you've been saved.
Because that old devil
just can't take cotton
to see the house
of the lord built.
That's something
he just won't do.
Mary Lou?
Don't she look
pretty, everybody?
In her new angel gown?
Mary Lou is going to pass
amongst you with the Lord's
bucket for an offering.
Mary Lou has been
saved and the good lord
knows she's been saved, is
going to pass amongst you
for a generous offer.
So in the morning you
can see a foundation
being poured right here.
Not just any foundation,
not just any house, not
just any country store,
not just any jail,
but the foundation of
the chambers of the lord.
A place for him to rest
whenever he feels like.
Get up the next
morning, tidy up a bit,
before he goes on
to his resting.
I hear too much
clanging in the bucket.
I hear too much
clanging in the bucket.
I want to hear the rustling
sound of that soft green stuff.
Yeah, that's a little
better, brother.
Little better.
Yeah.
Brothers and sisters?
Brothers and sisters?
This is a test.
This is a test to see
the devil's amongst you.
Now he's there.
Depend on it.
He's sitting on your wallets.
He's sitting on your purses.
Not letting you open
yourself up to the lord.
Oh, God see's sin here.
He see's everybody's lust.
Your lust, your lust.
Your-- no, your lust, too.
No, don't go looking at
your neighbor, sister.
I mean you.
And you knows I mean you.
I can see deep inside
and I'll be damned
if I don't see the devil.
And I aim to pull
him out of you.
[SIRENS WAILING]
I got a story, a true story.
A story about a woman, a
young woman, a married woman.
Married to a man of standard,
a man of the fields.
A farmer who wouldn't stop
stooping and bending because he
loved God's Earth.
A man at one with the Lord.
His trouble were he
weren't no handsome devil.
How many of us is,
I ask you, huh?
Well anyway, this woman
she needed this, you see,
and it bothered her some.
Yeah, that old devil
was biting at her neck,
making her dissatisfied with
one of God's chosen children.
Biting and gnawing.
The farm needed another
hand, a drifter appeared.
A tall, handsome devil,
strong like an ox with eyes
that dug deep into a man.
Demanding eyes,
cunning eyes, and he
set his devil's eye upon her.
And she followed
them into the field,
making believe she was
carrying him a lunch.
And when he turned
in the tall grass
he looked her
straight in the face
and then he placed his
devil's hand upon her.
And he felt she was
wearing nothing underneath.
No garment, no protection,
nothing to hide her shame.
Nothing to stay that
old devil's hand.
And he was pleased.
And she giggled, and
she quivered, and she
carried on something else.
Well then suddenly
she got the fear.
Well you see, fear ain't
enough when underneath there
ain't nothing to cover up.
When there ain't no barrier
to keep that old devil out.
Well this man, this
devil's messenger,
he took her and
satisfied her lust.
And when they walked from the
tall fields that devil laughed.
And his laugh
forced her to laugh.
But lord she wanted to cry.
She had to laugh because
the devil laughed.
And her body was a shaking
now, and a quivering
because the devil was in her
and he wasn't about to leave.
And would you believe?
Would you believe that this poor
sinner-- this poor fornicator
thought she was free?
Oh, she walked from
that field an adulterous
and she thought she was
some kind of great woman.
Well every time the devil
laughed she laughed.
And soon she found she
couldn't stop laughing
no matter how she tried.
And how many you women out
there can stop laughing?
How many women you out
there can stop smiling?
How many of you women out
there can stop smirking?
You can't, because you
are the devil's prisoner.
He's sitting inside you laughing
and you don't even know it.
Yes, he's a cancer eating away.
And Lord you--
Brothers and sisters,
you see those two
signs, shipping and receiving.
If you ain't ready now to
receive the Lord than ship out,
brother.
Ship out.
Now who's first to be saved?
Come on up here.
Who's first to be saved?
Empty your pockets of the
devil's money and be saved.
Let me lay my hand on
you and you are saved.
Who's first to be saved?
Come on up.
Come on up.
Who's first to be saved?
Empty your pockets
of the devil's money
and you are saved.
[GUN SHOT]
Take your hands off of her.
Sheriff, this is the
house of the Lord.
Not with you in it it ain't.
We warned you to
get out and stay out.
I listen now to the
voices of the devil.
You can cut out the
cunning game, Mr. Huxley.
We know you ain't
no real preacher.
He's a criminal.
As God as my witness,
I am being framed.
Wanted in three states.
Are you going to allow them
to touch a man of the Lord?
Now hold on Zero and Leon.
Judd, don't interfere
with the law,
you're in a heap
of trouble already.
Oh, am I?
Oh, am I. Now listen
here Mr. Zero Bull,
you call a barging in here,
busting up a fine service,
making everybody feel all
jittery and unwelcome.
I'm the deacon in this
here church and I say get.
And I mean get.
Why you old fool, I've got
a warrant for his arrest.
The federal government's
looking for him?
They is?
Why that's a different story.
We better ask the preacher
about that then, I reckon.
I'm forming a posse.
I baptize the whole
congregational.
All of you on the
left follow me.
All of you on the
right follow Leon.
and be real careful
because he's dangerous.
Come oh, honey.
Come on.
I ain't going, Amos.
I can't.
What are you talking about?
Carolina is just
down the road a piece
If you hurry you can make it.
AMOS: Ain't you going?
I done told you, Amos.
I can't.
What about all our plans?
All The travelling?
What-- what about you and me?
Amos, I can't go.
Mary Lou, it's Clyde, ain't it?
Well that boy whipped
you something fierce.
Well good luck, honey.
Hey listen there's
a little package
underneath your mattress.
You give it to the deacon.
He'll know what to do with it.
God bless you, Mary Lou.
Bye!
God bless you, Amos Huxley.
Yeah.
Sheriff, sheriff, this way.
Clyde?
Let him run, Clyde.
Let him go.
Well where the hell is he?
Clyde Massingale, you sent
us on a wild goose chaise.
You are more of a dimwit
than I thought you was.
There he goes, sheriff.
Down the highway.
Let's head him
off with the truck.
[HORN HONKING]
THEME SONG: While
the preacher man
preached all the sins of a women
the lady in the red walked in.
From a front row seat
in the congregation
she gave him a hungry grin.
And when the preacher man
ran for his life guess who
kept him from a jailhouse bed?
The last thing the
sheriff could see
was the preacher man fleeing
with the lady in red.
You better run preacher man.
You better run for your life.
The sheriff's got a
gun, and the sheriff's
got blood in his eyes.
You took his young
daughter and you preached
the congregation of men.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
You better run, preacher
man, or the sheriff's
going to do you in.
MUSIC PLAYING: I've been
saved by the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong from right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can
for I've been touched
by the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah I've been
saved by the preacher man.
My life was filled with
wrong till the preacher
man came along.
And with the help of the
angel Leroy he gave stand.
He saved my soul from Hell.
Now I'm happy, I can tell.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.
I've been saved by
the preacher man.
Hallelujah, I've been saved.
No more doing wrong from right.
No more sneaking out at night.
I'm going to do
all the good I can
for I've been touched
by the preacher's hand.
Hallelujah, I've been
saved by the preacher man.