WSJ Calls Hollywood Icon Pat Boone The Final ‘All-American’
By Movieguide® Staff
Former Movieguide® Award winner and Hollywood legend, Pat Boone, recently discussed how faith and family are at the center of his entertainment legacy.
According to a recent headline from the Wall Street Journal, Pat Boone is the final remnant of the ‘All-American.’
While you would be hard pressed to find a teenager who knows the name Boone, in the 1950s, he was a household name among America’s youth.
“Back then being the All-American kid was popular, and being a family guy was popular, going to church was popular, and all of that was OK,” Boone said in a recent interview.
The 88-year-old is still releasing projects, like his recent faith-filled flick, THE MULLIGAN, and his recent book, ‘If: The Eternal Choice We Must All Make.’
Over the years, one thing remained constant for Boone, his reliance on God and the faithful reading of his word.
Read More: Pat Boone Champions Movies About Faith, Family, and Freedom: ‘Good Things Can Reap Rewards’
The WSJ reported:
At 88, Mr. Boone is spry and sharp and, despite our presence in the godless wilds of La La Land, not the least bit hesitant to quote Scripture to a complete stranger: ‘When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes, but the godly will live to see their downfall’ (Proverbs 29:16). A well-thumbed Bible stays on his lap for the entirety of our 3½-hour conversation. ‘This is my 40th year to read straight through the Bible, word for word, from beginning to end.’
A reflection of Boone’s faith is his outspoken conservative, pro-American values, refusal to sing songs about sex and drugs, and his avoidance of foul language in his movies; all of which Hollywood now celebrates today.
“They quit inviting me to premieres here a long time ago,” he told WSJ, “I wasn’t interested in going to most of them anyway.”
After decades in the industry, Boone added: “You cannot plan on success in the entertainment business. If you do plan on it, it’s too easy to sell your soul to try to get there. And you’ll regret that for your whole life.”
Aside from his love for God’s word and the values it champions, Boone said that another driver force in his life has been his family.
In the 1960s, Boone moved his family to Sunset Boulevard in LA, where he and his wife, Shirley, raised their four children. In 2019, Shirley died.
“I turned down $20 million for that house,” he said of the house. “I’m going to be offered more than that, I know. I feel Shirley’s presence in the house all the time,” he adds. “Yes, I get lonely and I miss her. But that’s one of the blessings. I’m looking forward to being with Shirley soon.”
“When we moved to California, I said consciously to Shirley, ‘We’re not going to live by Hollywood standards, we’re going to live by Tennessee standards,’” he said. “Bible believing, churchgoing, standing for righteousness, morality—the things that people in Tennessee just take for granted and they don’t take for granted out here anymore.”
Grounded in his faith, Boone was no stranger to success. In 1955, he earned his first No. 1 hit song with his cover of Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame”, launching him to the height of his music career.
However, Boone sees the importance of his work now to share the good news of the Gospel through his writing and acting.
Movieguide®’s review of THE MULLIGAN reads:
THE MULLIGAN is a special two-day Fathom release. Paul McCallister is a big-shot businessman who’s estranged from his wife and son so he can pursue business and golf. At a charity golf tournament, Paul loses his temper. A tournament organizer introduces Paul to Will Dun. Golfers have nicknamed Will the “Old Pro.” Will takes Paul under his wing and mentors him on golf, and, more importantly, on life. Paul’s heart begins to change, but will the change be a lasting one?
THE MULLIGAN tells an entertaining, inspiring story. There are some minor hiccups, but the production values are good. Pat Boone delivers a terrific performance as the Old Pro. He teaches the lead character about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and declares, “God is good.” THE MULLIGAN has a very strong Christian, moral, pro-family worldview. It stresses Christian faith, forgiveness, family, and proper business practices. Also, a pastor recognizes the Christian witness of a believer at a service and stresses the promise of eternal life. THE MULLIGAN has some light violence, brief drunkenness and one obscenity. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for younger children.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
