Gavin MacLeod News

APPLE VALLEY Looking to get faith-based films into mainstream theaters, the Church of the Valley joined a national movement to sponsor "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" currently screening at the local UltraStar Cinemas - and the seats just keep filling up.

Let me explain. Yes, that's your humble columnist above flanked by Gavin MacLeod - best known as Captain Merrill Stubing from "The Love Boat" - and Captain Andrew Proctor of the new ship, the Crown Princess.

Actor Gavin MacLeod, the captain in the popular 1970s TV series "The Love Boat," stars in "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry." The movie tells the story of a 75-year-old man who befriends three boys and teaches them biblical principles to deal with a neighborhood bully.

Remember that cheesy '70s TV show, The Love Boat ? And its lovable pilot, Captain Stubing? Of course you do.

When the movie "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," starring Gavin MacLeod and Robert Guillaume, opens today in the Fox Valley, members of several local churches will be watching it as business partners.

Gavin MacLeod stars as the title character, a widower who befriends three neighborhood boys, teaching them about the Bible and Jesus Christ.

A new Christian film is making it's debut weekend across the U.S. and in Tyler Friday.

Gavin MacLeod in the film "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry." Gavin MacLeod, facing camera, shares a message of faith with neighbor boys in the film "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," released at Knoxville Carmike Wynnsong movie theater last week.

You know him as Captain Stubing on TV's "The Love Boat" or newswriter Murray Slaughter on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," but these days he's "Jonathan Sperry" in a new film opening in theaters Friday.

Another movie with a Christian theme opened at mainstream movie theaters this weekend.

McLeod trades in his captain's hat for a moustache and straw fedora in "The Secrets of Jonathan Perry." As Murray Slaughter, he wrote for airhead anchor Ted Baxter on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" for seven years.

TV star to appear in Christian-themed film Five & Two Pictures recently announced the upcoming release of 'The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.' New Hope Church of Christ of Edmond is sponsoring the movie, opening today at Quail Springs AMC.

Following in the footsteps of "Facing the Giants" and "Fireproof" comes another Christian-based film called "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry." The film comes out Friday to theaters, but according to Scott Reed of The Evangel Temple, getting the film to play here was no small task.

Here's the trailer to The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry , a 1970s period piece about boys who come under the influence of a devout Christian .

Moviegoers won't see any shootouts or young boys using magic in The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, but there will still be plenty of local interest when the Christian film opens Sept.

On a weekday afternoon, actor Gavin MacLeod, opera singer Linda Jackson and playwright Josh Greenfeld stride into the Village Pantry for a meal.

Packed with past Chamber presidents, local merchants and even a couple of Hollywood celebrities, the 60th Annual Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner was held last Thursday at the Riviera Country Club.