Dr. Lynn Lemon, with wife Velma, on his 90th birthday. Click to enlarge.
Johnny Depp’s latest role as John Dillinger calls to mind his role as schlock movie director Ed Wood in the 1994 Academy-Award winning bio-pic. Almost unknown is that one of Wood’s collaborators/investors was a Baptist minister, Dr. Lynn Lemon, who hoped to mobilize Wood’s expertise for a film on evangelist Billy Sunday. This is still a good idea. Actor-journalist Al Doshna of the Glendora, CA congregation interviewed Dr. Lemon just before his decease in 2008.
AL: Your Christian journey began at an early age. Can you give us a little background about that?
LEMON: At about the age of seven I began to feel that there was something that I needed that I did not have. This was prompted by my attendance in Sunday School and regular worship services in the church to which my parents took me. In each of these I was influenced by the teaching of God's word, the Bible. At the age of ten I realized that I was under the curse of sin and that I needed salvation from sin. I responded to the invitation to repent of sin and trust Jesus, God's Son, for this salvation. I made a public confession of this decision before a congregation in the First Baptist Church of Idalou, Texas and was baptized by immersion into the membership of that church.
AL: Could you tell us a little bit about what led up to your ministry, and give us an overview of the spiritual work you've done?
LEMON: I became involved in the activities of my church and realized a peculiar joy in seeing others profess faith in Christ. As I heard the Word of God taught I understood that men of old felt a "call" to serve God in special ways. I became acquainted with people who were doing "special work" in church and denominational areas and became convinced that God was calling me to "special work." As I pondered this matter I became convinced that this "special work" was to pastor churches of my faith. I set out to better prepare for this undertaking by enrolling in a Baptist school for appropriate studies to better equip myself for the ministry. At the same time I taught and preached as opportunity allowed.
AL: You moved out to the Los Angeles area in the late 1940's. What led you to relocate here?
LEMON: I spent a few months in the military during World War II, and after being discharged, I learned of a Baptist Seminary in California, and had a desire to attend it to further my preparation for the ministry. I never attended this school but later served as one of its trustees.
AL: Tell us a little bit about J. Edward Reynolds and his ambitions as a movie producer.
LEMON: I became acquainted with Mr. Reynolds through the Baptist work in the Greater Los Angeles area. He often did evangelistic singing in churches who desired his services as a singer in revival meetings. I became better acquainted with him when he came to a church where I was pastor, and led the singing in a revival. It was during that time that he shared with me his desire to produce religious movies.
AL: How did the Ed Wood relationship come out of that?
LEMON: Mr. Reynolds told me about meeting Ed. Wood. Jr. who had written a movie script called "Grave Robbers From Outer Space." Mr. Wood had suggested that they produce this movie, sell it, and use the proceeds to produce a religious movie [Billy Sunday], which would be the beginning of their joint production of such movies. Mr. Reynolds was interested in raising the funds to produce the "Grave Robbers" movie.
AL: In what way did Ed Reynolds approach you for the project?
LEMON: He had plans to form a corporation and offer the sale of shares as a means of raising funds for the production of the "Grave Robbers" movie. Thereafter the shareholders would share in any profits from any religious movies that would be produced. He asked me to purchase shares in this proposed corporation.
AL: You had a small role in the film. Can you describe it?
LEMON: It was an exciting experience. I was not at all experienced in movie making, but the prospect of having a part in one was a new experience and one that appealed to me, since the part would be a funeral scene which was something that I felt I could do well because of my ministerial background.
AL: Then what happened?
LEMON: Mr. Reynolds took the film to New York with the announced intention of finding a buyer for it. Upon his return, he called the proposed shareholders together and told them he had received a down payment on the sale of the film. He paid each one a small amount of that "so called" down payment. Having invested $500, I received $80. Unfortunately Mr. Reynolds passed away suddenly and no one seemed to know what became of the film. It appeared several years later under [another] name…Mr. Reynolds "mortgaged" the film for a small amount in an effort to get money to further distribution plans. It apparently lay in a vault of a closed down movie company in New York and was purchased by its present owner.
AL: You were cast in the Academy Award winning film ED WOOD (1994), directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, with actor G.R. Spradlin cast as you. Do you feel the situation was covered accurately?
LEMON: In my opinion, there were many inaccurate representations in that film. I was not consulted about anyone being cast as me. Had I been consulted, I could have provided invaluable information about the real story. I feel that my privacy was invaded. I learned of the film after it was showing in the theaters.
AL: In the mid-nineties, you appeared in the documentary THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EDWARD D. WOOD, JR., which was produced by the real Ed Wood's first business partner, the late Crawford John Thomas, who was a member of our fellowship. You also attended the premiere at the Nuart Theater. What was it like to be reunited with the "alumni", who were also in the film?
LEMON: I was delighted to further my acquaintance with many of them. I had enjoyed a personal acquaintance wit Mr. Walcott, the leading man, before the film was made. We were fellow Baptists in the Los Angeles Baptist Association and shared in some of the work there. It was good to visit with him again after many years of separation. I count it a great pleasure to have met Wade Williams, the present owner of the film, on that occasion.
AL: Much has been written and spoken about the late Edward D. Wood, Jr. yet few people knew him in the way that you did, from a spiritual perspective. Tell us a little bit about your relationship with him in that way.
LEMON: From the beginning of my acquaintance with Mr. Wood, I was aware of his addiction to alcohol. Yet I thought I saw a wealth of ability within him and I sought to be of help to him in his spiritual needs. I understand the Bible to teach that we have a second chance and more in trying to improve our spiritual walk. Ed became a member of two churches which I pastored which afforded me an opportunity to see him in probably a different perspective than most others.
AL: From a physical perspective, what has your personal experience been like in having been involved with film?
LEMON: I have had a great and interesting experience from having been involved with [sic] film. Over the years I have collected a large number of letters from people who saw the film and somehow got my mailing address. These have come from many states and some foreign countries. The most of them are autograph seekers. A few of them I have chosen to contact and have carried on a mail order acquaintance. It is strange that so many of them seem to think that I am still making movies. I have past my 90th birthday and it seems unlikely that I will ever appear in another movie. In spite of my financial loss…I count it a most interesting and delightful experience to have been involved…
AL: The whole idea of using a science fiction film to generate funding for a film about Billy Sunday seems slightly outrageous, yet are there any spiritual lessons that you have derived from the situation both personally and from the experience overall?
LEMON: I have learned a little more about the place of forgiveness in my heart. Many times during this overall experience I have been faced with what I consider to be injustices toward me. I feel that I have been mistreated both financially and also in the matter of ethics. Yet the blessings that have come outweigh the darker side. God knows best and He assures that "All things work together for good to them who love the Lord." Forgiveness brings many rewards!
AL: You have written your memoirs. What can you tell us about that?
LEMON: Many years have gone by since I completed the writing of my memoirs. I need to add much to them. I do not see any possibility of publishing them but I somehow hope to do so before I pass on so that my children may have them. They are on paper and also in my computer. To say very much would be too much. Maybe they can bring some joy to my children later.
AL: What other things have you been involved with in your recent ministry and otherwise?
LEMON: In October of 2005 I retired for the third time from the active pastorate. In July of 2006 I moved with my wife, Velma, from Lubbock, Texas to Bedford, Texas. We sold our home in Lubbock and bought a small home in Bedford. We are now enjoying retirement. We have a ministry on Wednesday nights. I teach a Bible Class of about 40 senior citizens in Shady Grove Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. This has many rewards as it keeps me in touch with that realm of "special work" for which I was ordained on October 4, 1939.
AL: Have you ever done, or had a desire to do any personal appearances or speaking engagements along the lines of what we have covered in this interview?
LEMON: Yes, and I would welcome any opportunities that might come my way. Even though I am 90, I am still physically able to do such in a limited way. I can go most anywhere as long as experiences are provided and my wife can accompany me. Her presence is essential to my comfort.
AL: As a minister, and someone who has lived the better part of a century, do you have any observations about life and the world that you would like to pass on to us?
LEMON: A friend of many years recently said to me, "I am always aware that I am not alone." I would like to say "amen" to that as long as we are Christians. Though the way may be long and sometimes dreary, God is always near and we can know that with much assurance if we love and trust him.
AL: Dr. Lemon, thank you. You were ahead of your time in seeking to harness popular culture to the Gospel.