By Christina Connally Honkonen, features@knoxnews.com
Please click here to read the newest article about “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry”
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/sep/26/christian-film-producer-takes-up-collection-get-mo/
Friday, September 18, 2009
By Lauren Green
“As Murray Slaughter, he wrote for airhead anchor Ted Baxter on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” for seven years. As Merrill Stubing, he captained the “Love Boat” for nearly a decade after that. Today, iconic TV actor Gavin Macleod says “I know who my admiral is,” referring to his faith in God.
“Macleod, 78, is a born again Christian now piloting a career in the Christian film industry, and starring in the movie “The Secrets of Jonathan Perry,” which opens this weekend.”
Please read the full article at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,551891,00.html??test=faces
Five & Two Pictures is proud to announce the upcoming release of a very special film entitled “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.”
Coming to theaters Sept. 18, “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” is an inspiring film for viewers from 8 years old to 80 years old. Best buddies Dustin (Jansen Panettiere), Albert (Frankie Ryan Manriquez), and Mark (Allen Isaacson) are twelve year old boys looking forward to a summer of fun in 1970. When Dustin mows the lawn of seventy-five year old Jonathan Sperry (Gavin MacLeod), a man he has seen at church, a unique friendship develops. What happens the rest of this summer is something Dustin and his friends will never forget!
Jansen Panettiere, the younger brother of Hayden Panettiere of “Heroes” fame, and Robert Guillaume also co-star.
Actor Kirk Cameron says “‘The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry’ moved me with its message about how one faithful man can make a difference in the lives of many. I recommend this inspiring movie for any family to watch together.”
“The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” has a very unique marketing plan behind the film where churches sponsor the film as a local outreach in theaters. The movie is to open in over 200 theaters nationwide in Sept.
Popular actor Gavin MacLeod, made famous from his roles in “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Love Boat,” is a devout Christian and said it was a privilege to play this role. “I have been acting for over 60 years,” Gavin says. “I made my first movie in the mid-1950’s and have worked with some of the biggest stars in show business – Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Bing Crosby – the list goes on and on,” he adds. “I also had the opportunity to be in two of the most popular TV shows in the history of television playing a newsman in ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and the captain of ‘The Love Boat.’ Playing the role of Jonathan Sperry is the most meaningful project I have ever done.”
The film’s Director and Producer Rich Christiano (who also made “Time Changer”) and his team are hoping that churches and groups will jump on board. “Ninety-nine percent of the movies that come out in the theater have almost nothing to do with the Lord and Christian themes. I think this movie can encourage alot of people during difficult times. They will laugh, be encouraged and touched.
Actor Pat Boone called “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” a “heartwarming experience for the entire family.”
“The church normally just plays defense,” Christiano adds. “Hollywood will do something we don’t like, and we complain about it. We need to go on the offense! Let’s put forth films that can be positive for our society like ‘The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.’ If viewers will give this movie a chance, I think they are going to pleasantly surprised.
To view a trailer and scenes from the movie, or to help sponsor the movie in your local theater, visit the movie website at www.SperryMovie.com.
Watch this recent telecast that NIGHTLINE did about the upsurge of Christian movies
that features our upcoming release and talks about the success of Fireproof.
Click on this link
Click on this link to read the interview with Chad Gundersen,
co-producer for The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry
http://www.christian-movie.com/the_secrets_of_jonathan_sperry_interview_gundersen.html
Click on this link to read the newest article about “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry”
LIVE! Watch Rich Christiano’s upcoming interview about The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry coming July 14, 2009. Calvary Chapels’s His Channel at 7:00 PM. http://www.hischannel.com/tv.php
By NEAL KARLINSKY and VICTORIA THOMPSON
ANAHEIM, Calif., June 6, 2009
The latest article on the impact that Christian movies like “Fireproof” and “The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry” are having on our culture.
Click on this link to read the article:
By Edward Terry, THE LAYMAN
Five & Two Pictures will be releasing a very special film called The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry coming to theaters September 18th that is gaining momentum. (www.SperryMovie.com). Well-known Author/Speaker Josh McDowell says this movie is “loaded with excellent truths from God’s Word.”
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry has a very unique marketing plan behind the film whereas churches are sponsoring the film as a local outreach in theaters. Some heavy hitters have already stepped up to support the film including Bellevue Baptist in Memphis, TN: Victory Harvest in Baton Rouge, LA: Idlewild Baptist in Tampa, FL: Crossroads Assembly of God in Oklahoma City,OK: First Baptist in Naples, FL: The Rock Four Square in Fullerton, CA, Hoffmantown Baptist in Albuquerque, NM and many more.
The goal is to open this movie in over 500 theaters nationwide. To learn more about how you and your church can get involved, you can check out the sponsorship infomation page at www.SperryMovie.com/sponsorship.
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry is an inspiring film for viewers ages 8 to 80 set in the year 1970 about a 75 year old man names Jonathan Sperry (played by Gavin MacLeod) who starts talking to three 12 year old boys about following the Lord. Jansen Panettiere and Robert Guillaume also co-star.
Phil Newberry, student Pastor at Bellevue Baptist for the past 23 years says, ”This is a fabulous job in every aspect of this movie. The script, the acting, the period setting, the high quality filming, the directing, the music…incredible. This is a must use film for every believer to take their neighbors and friends to in hopes they may find Christ as a result.”
Popular actor Gavin MacLeod made famous from his roles in the Mary Tyler Moore show and The Love Boat, is a devout Christian and says this movie is “the most meaninful project I have ever done. It was a priviledge to play this role and to be used by the LORD in this way.”
Director/Producer Rich Christiano (who also made Time Changer) and his team are hoping that Churches and groups will jump on board. “99% of the movies that come out either blaspheme the name of the Lord, go against His teachings or leave Him out!. This a major problem churches face each and every day and we need to do something to counter this. We have an opprotunity to use the most powerful medium of film to make an impact for the Lord. And the churches will share in the revenue while doing the outreach so everyone wins.”
Currenlty, over 100 groups will be sponsoring the film that actor Pat Boone called a “heartwarming experience for the entire family.” Chris Cambas of the Tampa Bay Counseling Center, who has already arranged for 6 sponsorships in the Tampa, FL area says ““The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry is one of the most touching films ever! It presents the gospel of Jesus Christ in a straight forward and inspiring manner. A must for everybody.”
“The church normally just plays defense,” Christiano adds. “Hollywood will do something we don’t like and we complain about it. We need to go on the offense! Let’s put forth films for the Lord like The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry as an outreach and trust Him for the results. We need to be aggressive here. Doors are open for ministry, let’s walk through them!”
