This book examines major British and American missionary films during the Golden Age of Hollywood to explore the significance of race, gender, and spirituality in relation to the lives of the missionaries portrayed in film during the middle third of the twentieth century. Film both influences and reflects culture, and racial, gender, and religious identities are some of the most debated issues globally today. In the movies explored in this book, missionary interactions with various people groups reflect the historical changes which took place during this time.

Shows that in missionary movies, over time, racist casting, and the ban on interracial attraction, both faded Explores how in films, some female missionaries remained autonomous, whilst others chose traditional roles Emphasizes that in movies missionaries placed faith over empire or class, and embraced social service

Autorentext

Douglas Carl Abrams is Professor of History at Bob Jones University, USA.

Inhalt

1. Introduction.- 2. Racist Casting, Interracial Attraction and Primitivism.- 3. Progress in Race Since 1945.- 4. Maintaining Masculinity.- 5. Traditional and Independent Women.- 6. Earthly Kingdom and Spiritual Kingdom.- 7. Class and Hierarchy.- 8. Social Christianity and Evangelism.- 9. Suffering and Apostasy.-