From: Peter E. Dans [1957]
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 2:52 PM
To: John Reinke (1968)
Subject: Christians in the Movies
Hi John:
I hope all is well with you and your family. I thought I’d let you know about my latest writing venture, a portrayal of Christians from 1905 to 2007 (See below for the description).. Despite having successfully published three books and having an agent, it has been difficult to secure a mainstream publisher. I think the word “Christians” turns them off since atheists are more likely to get published today. If anyone on the Jasper Jottings email list has any suggestions or knows publishers or editors that might be interested in taking a look at the manuscript, I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks for keeping our alums together. Keep up the great work.
Best regards,
Peter
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From Saints to Sinners: 100 Years of Christians in the Movies
From the Life and Passion of Jesus Christ (1905) to Amazing Grace (2007), Dans vividly traces the arc in film portrayal of Christians from reverence to, at times, outright ridicule over the past century. He explores reasons for the change: the abolition of the Hays Motion Picture Code; the demise of the National Legion of Decency; and associated profound societal and cultural changes. In addition to about 100 in depth reviews, there are brief out-takes of about 75 lesser Christian-themed films as well short commentaries on related subjects, e.g., the real story behind Inherit the Wind; the treatment of abortion in film and portraits of actors, directors and writers most prominently associated with films treating Christianity and 100 still photographs. Dans is a faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, film critic for Pharos, the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society quarterly journal and author of Doctors in the Movies: Boil the Water and Just Say Aah! (Medi-Ed Press, 2000), about how doctors have been portrayed in movies from 1931-2000. He also has written a children’s book, Perry’s Baltimore Adventure: A Birds-eye View of Charm City and a memoir/photography book: Life on the Lower East Side; Photographs by Rebecca Lepkoff.
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[JR: My suggestion would be to reach out to the Jasper "writing community" -- Patterson and Quinn -- that I know of. Any others? Personally, I know Patterson is quite approachable to his fellow Jaspers. I'll put it in Jottings and see if anyone can help.]
[JR: OK fellow Jaspers, make me look better than I am.]
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