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Russ Doughten

Production

Biography

Russell S. Doughten Jr. (February 16, 1927 – August 19, 2013) was an American film-maker and producer of numerous short and feature-length Christian films. His film work is credited under numerous variations of his name: with or without the "Jr." suffix or middle initial, and sometimes using the informal "Russ" instead of "Russell". Nearly all of his Christian films were shot in various locales in his home state of Iowa. While he worked on films, most notably as producer and director (uncredited) of the 1958 sci-fi/horror classic The Blob, he was best known for the religious Thief In The Night series, which dramatizes the Rapture and Second Coming of Christ and the struggles of a small band of believers against an increasingly hostile worldwide Antichrist dictatorship. The films of that series are: A Thief in the Night (1972) A Distant Thunder (1978) Image of the Beast (1980) The Prodigal Planet (1983) Doughten appears in all four films as Reverend Matthew Turner, a survivalist who has an elaborate chart of the End Times events, but does not fully believe in the Bible. With his long, graying hair usually worn in a ponytail and shaggy beard, he didn't look the part of the stereotypical Christian fundamentalist, a fact that is credited with earning him secular fans, as is his use of unusual camera angles and layered audio. While there had been feature-length Christian films before, including the End Times film If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do? directed by Ron Ormond in 1971, a sweeping, ambitious project like "Thief"—with three sequels telling one continuous story over the course of a decade—had never been undertaken even in Hollywood.[citation needed] Doughten's identification of the Antichrist not with Communism as Ormond had done, nor with Jack Chick's sinister view of the Vatican, but rather with a worldwide government that initially acts as a global peacemaker, would set the tone for most fundamentalist interpretations of the End Times in the decades that followed. While the films were clearly made on a low budget, and the dated 1970's fashions shown in the early films provide unintentional amusement today, there is no denying the series' influence among Christian fundamentalists. "A Thief in the Night" is said to be the most widely seen Gospel film in the world and has been influential in many conversions to Protestant Christianity. Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins cite Doughten's films as being the primary influence for their million selling Left Behind series of books and films. Doughten's films are frequently shown in churches and on Christian television stations to this day. In the mid-1960s, Doughten taught English and drama and supervised and directed student productions at South Pasadena High School in California. His former students report that he was exacting in demanding their best efforts, but, they were proud of the results and the quality of the productions he directed and they regretted his departure in 1964 to return to film making in Ohio. Doughten died from a cardiac-related illness on August 19, 2013. -Wikipedia

Known For

The Blob
6.2

A drive-in favorite, this sci-fi classic follows teenagers Steve and his best girl, Jane, as they try to protect their hometown from a gelatinous alien life form that engulfs everything it touches. The first to discover the substance and live to tell about it, Steve and Jane witness the blob destroying an elderly man, then it growing to a terrifying size. But no one else has seen the goo, and policeman Dave refuses to believe the kids without proof.

The Blob

1958
The Hostage
5.2

The Hostage is a 1967 Crown International low-budget motion picture starring Don O'Kelly, James Almanzar and Joanne Brown, with Leland Brown, John Carradine, and Harry Dean Stanton. The plot centers on a young boy who becomes a hostage after he is accidentally closed inside a moving van.

The Hostage

1967
Image of the Beast
3.9

Third and best known entry in the Mark IV series of fundamentalist apocalypse films. Fundamentalist Christian guerrilla David helps condemned dissidents escape, attempts to subvert the computerized Mark of the Beast, and generally tries to survive as prophecy unfolds in the rise of the Antichrist to the pinnacle of his power and the beginning of God's war on sinful man.

Image of the Beast

1981
A Thief in the Night
5.7

Patty, a young woman caught up in living for the present with little concern for the future, awakens one day to find her husband missing and the radio reporting that millions of people around the globe have mysteriously vanished. As dramatic, earth-shaking events begin to unfold around her, Patty realizes she is living in the end times spoken of in biblical prophecy.

A Thief in the Night

1972
A Distant Thunder
5.2

Patty is lying awake one night in a church basement, distraught and scared. She is to be executed the next morning for refusing to take the Mark of the Beast. Patty knows what lies ahead if she takes the mark but can still not believe in Christ.When those around her try to comfort her and encourage her to accept the Lord, she lashes out at them.

A Distant Thunder

1978
The Prodigal Planet
6.7

About to executed by the forces of the Antichrist, a fundamentalist Christian guerrilla is rescued by an Antichrist agent pretending to be a double agent for the Believers' Underground. The agent hopes to trick the Christian into leading her to the dissidents' hidden base. Meanwhile, Armageddon and the Second Coming draw nigh.

The Prodigal Planet

1983
Sammy
8.0

Delightful story of a young boy whose playful nature and love for animals spark zany incidents and a dangerous adventure. A small boy, crippled since birth, helps his family find faith through his gentle spirit.

Sammy

1977
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N/A

A father chooses between his enemy and the life of his own son. Bursting with “Top Gun” action, THE SHEPHERD explodes into the lives and conflicts of the men who push the edge of supersonic danger while defending our skies. The resulting bitterness of a split moment decision threatens to destroy the lives of the widowed wife and her young son.

The Shepherd

1984
Survival
10.0

Crash landing in a small plane, the Ryan family is stranded on a high-desert mesa. No food, no way to communicate with civilization, time is running out as they face a life and death race for survival. A wounded cougar stalks young Mike as he looks for help, alone in the wilderness. Disaster strikes the sheriff’s rescue party. Have their prayers really been heard? Action and suspense amid untamed scenic beauty. Absorbing family entertainment!

Survival

1975
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7.0

In his final film role, Nick Adams is a young mechanic who finds danger and romance in the exciting, sometimes unscrupulous world of stock-car racing.

Fever Heat

1968
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4.4

A teenage girl and her boyfriend struggle with their love for one another, until an encounter with the girl's abusive father leads to the young couple to question the existence of goodness in life.

Teenage Diary

1960
The Healing
N/A

He finally met someone who specialized in damaged hearts. In this stirring drama, a promising young physician slides into alcoholism, following his wife’s tragic death. Having lost everything, he lands in a skid row mission, where he meets some unlikely characters. Vibrant with joy, laughter, sorrow and struggle, The Healing is compelling entertainment for all ages.

The Healing

1983
Brother Enemy
10.0

When a gang of angry teenagers is caught breaking into his workshop, David stuggles against his own hostility to teach then a lesson. But can he overcome evil with good?

Brother Enemy

1981
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9.5

This drama demonstrates how obedience to Biblical principles can overcome the problems of permissiveness and lack of leadership in today’s family. The heartwarming conclusion presents a message of hope and encouragement for families everywhere.

Home Safe

1981
A Stranger in My Forest
9.0

Orphaned by a tragic car crash, young Robbie and his older sister Susie come to live with their grandmother. A full-grown bear named Luke (after St. Luke), who steals hearts (and food) all over town, soon befriends the lonely boy. As a bitter old man plots Luke’s death, a mysterious stranger appears thrusting all into a hair-raising adventure

A Stranger in My Forest

1976
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N/A

The first television special from gospel superstars the Lundstroms.

Traveling with the Lundstroms

1973
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7.0

A story about friendship and forgiveness. Fury explodes high above the Royal Gorge in the spectacular Colorado mountains. Two fugitives run for their lives. A bitter cop seeks revenge for his wife’s death.

Blood on the Mountain

1974
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5.5

The story of the life and witness of a Christian Police Officer called Dennis Hill asks the question, why did he have to die that night? How could such a tragedy be part of God’s plan? Denny Hill, himself asks, “Where will you spend eternity?”

Heaven's Heroes

1980
Nite Song
N/A

The story of two friends who become heroes. Was Joe’s courage based on faith or foolishness? Pete wasn’t sure, but there was no turning back. Two teenagers struggle together to rid their neighborhood of the evils of drug use in this award winning action drama. Inspiring and entertaining for all ages.

Nite Song

1978
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8.5

A businessman, a preacher, and a host of comic characters battle for spiritual control of a small mid-western town. Bible carrying preacher, David Whitcomb battles stubborn businessman Phil Esteem and three bumbling and treacherous demons as they plaque a small midwestern church, catching the ear of certain members of the flock causing mayhem and confusion… But who is really in charge? A warm and witty satire.

Whitcomb's War

1980