Fox is producing a new TV series, or at least a pilot, inspired by the 1971 book The Exorcist. It will focus on the priests who perform such rites. We will have to imagine what kind of drama could sustain a show like that for a continuing series. Meanwhile, let’s look back at some of the creepiest priests, ministers, preachers, and evangelists in cinema history. The picture above shows what kind of movie character we’re talking about, Robert Mitchum in the 1955 film Night of the Hunter.
Reverend Harry Powell, a serial murderer on the lam, becomes a phony preacher with a penchant for hard-knocks knuckle tattoos, woman-hating, stolen money, and switchblades. A cool and cruel Robert Mitchum plays Powell in Charles Laughton’s expressionist chiller, set in the Deep South during the 1930s.
That one left me with nightmares when I was young. I kept wanting to yell at Shelly Winters that he’s up to no good! To no avail. There are seven other creepy clergymen from the movies in a list at Flavorwire.