Angel in My Pocket

Andy Griffith got his first taste of stardom with the stage and screen success of No Time for Sergeants, before becoming one of those much-loved American institutions that don't travel too well. He was at his disturbing best in the box-office failure A Face in the Crowd, but he seldom went beyond the safe character he developed in his TV series. This lightweight trifle is an extension of that soft-hearted soul, though Griffith is acted off the screen by Jerry Van Dyke's performance as the most revolting brother-in-law in movie history. The tale of a new minister trying to win over his resentful new community is given some scale by the Techniscope process, but it's very American in theme and outlook and will only be enjoyed by those who like this particular territory.