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Deep Dive: Marjoe (1972)

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Marjoe
Marjoe is a documentary that follows Marjoe Gortner, a former child evangelist, as he travels the church tent revival circuit. The film provides a critical look at the showmanship involved in evangelism and the commercialization of religion before the rise of televangelism. Gortner, who no longer believes in the messages he preaches, offers a unique perspective on the practices and performances that characterize this aspect of American religious culture. The film features footage of Gortner conducting revival meetings, revealing the theatrical elements of his presentations. It raises questions about authenticity and the motivations behind religious performances, particularly in the context of financial gain, as suggested by the tagline, "You Keep the Faith...Marjoe Keeps the Money." The documentary was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005, ensuring its availability for future audiences.

Why Watch

  • •See Marjoe Gortner's unique take on evangelism.
  • •Find out how revival meetings were staged before televangelism.
  • •Watch the intersection of faith and financial motives.

Did You Know

•Marjoe Gortner was a child evangelist who began preaching at age 4.
•The film was released in 1972 and has a runtime of 88 minutes.
•It was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.

Perfect For

Religious studies enthusiastsDocumentary film loversCritics of televangelism