THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 9, 1994 TAG: 9407080077
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARK O'KEEFE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
IN 1970, ARMY chaplain Merlin Carothers released a 106-page paperback book that presented his life story and simple secret to happiness: praise God not only in the midst of problems but also for problems.
``Prison to Praise'' came near the height of the Jesus Movement, which turned thousands into born-again Christians. It was also the era of a charismatic renewal that introduced a philosophy of faith and power to millions in mainline churches.
People were hungry for what Carothers had to say.
For 210 weeks, his book was a surprise best seller on Christian lists. In 24 years, 10 million copies have been printed, many of them distributed free to prisoners and military personnel. It has been translated into 35 languages.
Now, Regent University's award-winning film department is turning ``Prison to Praise'' into a one-hour movie depicting the life of Carothers. The film will be released next year, mainly to church groups, by Carothers' Foundation of Praise organization in Escondido, Calif.
Carothers, 69, said he has had several opportunities to turn his life into a film, but the timing was never right. He said he likes Regent because the graduate-level university is known for its films and isn't out to make a profit. In addition, Carothers said he is good friends with John Lindvall, another Army chaplain and the father of Regent President Terry Lindvall.
To cover nearly all of the costs, Prison to Praise Foundation gave Regent a $58,000 grant.
Executive producer Andrew Quicke, a Regent professor, said the film ``is much more a biography than a sermon.'' He said Regent ``had to really knock around the book to make a film script out of it.''
It tells the true story of how Carothers was transformed from a brash, court-martialed World War II soldier into a chaplain, helping a young recruit along the way. Carothers approved all changes.
``I hope when audiences see this film, first of all, they will see the story of this man and they will be entertained,'' said co-producer Tracy Johnson. ``Secondly, I hope it gets them thinking about their own relationship with God.
``It doesn't necessarily have to prompt a major conversion,'' he said, ``but if they just start thinking and asking questions, it might head them in the right direction.''
With the exception of star Tom Foley, who plays a young Carothers, all the actors and crew are students, graduates and local volunteers.
``It's basically to give everyone at Regent a chance to work on something as professional as you can get without MGM behind your name,'' said Johnson, a May graduate who has worked as a production assistant on The Family Channel's ``Big Brother Jake'' television series.
Filming, which ends today, has been an all-local affair, with Camp Pendleton the backdrop for military training scenes and the Suffolk Jail passing for an Army prison.
Carothers has written nine other ``praise'' books, but all copies of those combined amount to only one-third the distribution of his first book. Along with other ``faith teachers,'' Carothers' theology has been criticized in some circles as implying miracles happen if you only believe and think positively.
Carothers said that's a bum rap.
``When we're thankful for some situation that's painful or difficult, the first thing it does is release us from anxiety,'' he said. ``Some good will result. Always, the person himself is changed. Secondly, many times the situation itself is changed because, I believe, it makes it possible for God to then use that step of faith.
``I try to urge people to never maneuver God to do anything. When we praise God, we accept whatever God has for us.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color photos]
BILL TIERNAN/Staff photos
Director Ken Rife, with arm raised, sets a scene in the film "Prison
to Praise" on location at Camp Pendleton. Wally Doyle, in
sunglasses, plays Merlin Carothers.
Scott Walter and Steve Dining, above, are members of the sound
recording crew. At right, Marianna Alacchi applies makeup to Kevin
Parrott.
BILL TIERNAN/Staff
Andrew Quick, a Regent University professor, is executive producer
of ``Prison to Praise,'' and Tracy Johnson is co-producer.
by CNB