Aimee Semple McPherson (2006)

Director:

Richard Rossi

Writer:

Richard Rossi (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Sometimes the greatest battle is between flesh and spirit.

Plot:

A feature film about the life of Aimee Semple McPherson, the famed evangelist of the 1920s.

Plot Keywords:

Healing | Charlie Chaplin | Faith | Christian | Character Name In Title

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Mimi Michaels	...	Aimee Semple McPherson
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Laura Anderson	...	Leita Mae
Carl Ballantine	...	Realtor in China
Teres Byrne	...	Minnie Kennedy
Kiera Chaplin	...	Myrtle Ste. Pierre
Barbara Kerr Condon	...	Sister Maria
Angela de Malignon	...	Speakeasy dancer
Jennifer Etienne Eckert	...	Emma Shaffer (as Etienne Eckert)
Joe Gonzalez	...	Ralph Jordan
Charles Gorgano	...	Asa Keyes
Melissa Greenfield	...	Louise Weick
JoAnn Green	...	Waitress
Rance Howard	...	James Kennedy
Charles Hoyes	...	Harold McPherson
Anjenique Hughes	...	Sister Susannah
Rex Kerr	...	Bartender
Brandy Maddox	...	Rosalee
David Mattey	...	The Enforcer
Obren Milanovic	...	Blind Man
Michael Minor	...	Kenneth Ormiston
Chad Nadolski	...	Robert Semple
Roy O'Reilly	...	Judge
Louis Pastore	...	Barker
Linda Pitak	...	Speakeasy Dancer
Joshua Rossi	...	Rolf McPherson
Karis Rossi	...	Roberta Salter
Richard Rossi	...	David Hutton
Sherrie Rossi	...	Juror
Laurie Shaw	...	Reba Crawford
Jenny Tallent	...	Sister Jane
Randy Toews	...	Defense Attorney
Suzanne Tsai	...	Aimee's Chinese Housekeeper
Jose Vega	...	Mexican Man
Selah Victor	...	Lulu
Laura Voethe	...	Mrs. Brooks

Also Known As:

Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story (USA) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements, brief language and smoking.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Richard Rossi Productions

Trivia:

This was the last feature film appearance of Carl Ballantine. Director Richard Rossi said, "Carl and I's friendship was the source of great times together at the Magic Castle and Hollywood jazz clubs and smoking Cuban cigars. I'm gonna miss him. He taught me some important secrets to survive in show business and I loved smoking stogies with him and hearing his memories of vaudeville and Hollywood."

Goofs:

Errors in geography: When the D.A. gives his opening statement in Sister Aimee's trial, there is a large map on the wall behind him that clearly says, "Kern County, California." Her trial took place in Los Angeles County. Richard Rossi was given free use of a courthouse in Bakersfield (Kern County) by a judge who was kindly disposed toward the project and allowed free shooting on a Saturday.

Quotes:

James Kennedy: I know you're going through a tough time, darling, but remember Christ, when He was walking down the Via Del LaRosa.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Disappearance of Aimee (#26.1)" (1976)

At last, a well-told, well-acted story of a pioneering woman

Saw at recent private industry screening of a long three hour rough cut in which a disparate mixture of evangelical Christians, cult film fanatics who think Rossi is a genius, teenagers, and 9 to 5 salt of the earth suburbanites gathered. Director Richard Rossi wanted audience feedback to assist him in trimming an hour out of the film. I must say, I was spellbound for three hours by Rossi's incredible direction and innovative visual eye, and Mimi Michaels acting as Aimee will be critically acclaimed. Rance Howard and Mimi Michaels had a great chemistry as father/daughter and Rance Howard's acting stood out, (it's obvious how his famous son Ron genetically was born for talent) he was perfect casting for the farmer with common sense and a connection to his gifted daughter. All I can say, is I believed, I bought it all. Mimi Michaels was so spot on I almost could not distinguish between her voice and Aimee McPherson's historical voice. Rossi's compassion for her as a healer who could not heal herself, and his understanding of women and their core emotional vulnerability is deeply moving. The end, Aimee's confession of her own loneliness, that only God can be her husband, and the way it ends, it had the room crying. It is masterful, and this is not an exaggeration. The timing of this, after the release of "The Passion" is perfect.