Stars In My Crown

Folks in Walsburg may want to pay heed to the brace of pistols holstered onto Josiah Gray's hips. In time, they may want to pay evenmore heed to the Bible in his hand.

Gray (Joel McCrea) is the newly arrived parson in the woodsy post-Civil War Tennessee town.

Andthe true test of his strength will come when, during his greatest and most dangerous challenge, he sets aside his six-shooters andrelies on his faith.

McCrea brings a quiet resolve to this touching tale burnished through the recall of the pastor's impressionablenephew (Dean Stockwell).

Based on the novel by Joe David Brown (who would later provide the source novel for Paper Moon), Stars inMy Crown shines with a powerful, simple dignity.