Father Patrick Peyton

Hollywood icon James Dean and Star Trek’s William Shatner are just two examples of stars that can be traced to a Catholic priest, Father Patrick Peyton and Family Theater Productions, a venerable production company on Sunset Boulevard began by him. And now, 60 years later, the Angelus Student Film Festival carries on Father Peyton’s tradition, of honoring and showcasing future filmmakers as they create works of excellence.

Hollywood History

In 1945, the same year WW II was ending, only 5000 homes had TV sets and Bing Crosby was nominated for an Academy Award, Father Peyton persuaded Mutual Broadcasting Company to give him a free half-hour to pray for and support families. America was at war and Father Peyton believed that world peace ultimately depended on peace in the human heart and in the family. He recruited Bing Crosby and the family of five brothers who died on the same ship during WW II to pray on air. More than 300 stations picked up the show.

With this success, Father Peyton asked Mutual for a weekly half-hour program. Mutual eventually agreed as long as the series was nonsectarian, featured Hollywood stars and was well-written and produced. It became one of the longest running weekly dramatic radio programs, airing for 22 years and featured over 400 Hollywood stars. Some of the stars Father Peyton featured on “Family Theater of the Air” included Jimmy Stewart, Natalie Wood, Lucille Ball, Gregory Peck, Vincent Price and Gary Cooper.

As the radio days began to be eclipsed by the arrival of television, Father Peyton and Family Theater Productions shifted gears and energetically moved into that new medium. Already in the 1950’s, Family Theater was producing award-winning television shows that have continued through today. Today, Family Theater Productions also produces award-winning Latino Radio Dramas and has re-issued the classic radio series that Father Peyton began. The stories are dramatic and timeless.

The year 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of Father Patrick Peyton’s birth from his humble beginnings in County Mayo, Ireland. His work, in celebrating the dignity of the human person through the artistry of media continues through this day. Father John Phalen, President of Holy Cross Family Ministries carries on his vision through several ministries and believes “Family Theater Productions will continue as an exciting place into the next century, as it has been during the last 60 years!”

The Patrick Peyton Excellence In Filmmaking Award carries a $10,000 cash prize and has become one of the most prestigious student film prizes recognizing excellence among tomorrow’s filmmakers, ensuring the timeless legacy of the media pioneer, Fr. Patrick Peyton.