drqshadow

4/10

The last example of Stanley Kubrick’s appropriately brief newsreel career depicts an airborne priest who pilots a private prop plane to canvas his spread-out New Mexico parish. Very much the caricature of a wise, compassionate holy man, Reverend Fred seems to spend more time in the air than at the altar, hopping in his _Spirit of St. Joseph_ any time a member of the flock calls for spiritual guidance or just a helping hand around the ranch. Unlike the preceding _Day of the Fight_, which Kubrick produced entirely on spec, _Flying Padre_ was filmed for-hire to meet an established format, with strict limitations on length and style. The young photographer considered himself lucky to make a profit on that first endeavor (a whopping $100), and leapt at this chance to quit his day job and pursue professional film as a full-time career, even if it meant sacrificing a bit of artistry to pad the resume. He’d later refer to _Flying Padre_ as a “silly thing,” just a trifle to pay the month’s rent, and that’s exactly how it feels. As short subjects go, it’s completely businesslike and inoffensive. We punch in, shoot the scene, tape the voiceover and punch out. Even when our pastor is traveling hundreds of miles to transport a sick baby from a distant farm to the regional hospital, there’s no urgency or passion. To be honest, the kid doesn’t even look unwell. Kubrick’s direction is neat and tidy, but not exciting. Not even a little. At least _Day of the Fight_ offered some tricky camerawork.