Step that Step: A Portrait of Cecil Williams

A film by Georges T. Paruvanani from 1978 which looks at the work of Rev. Cecil Williams at the Glide Memorial Methodist Church in San Francisco. Includes scenes of: Rev. Williams leading Sunday worship; Rev. Williams being interviewed by Paruvanani and discussing how Glide promotes freedom of expression in worship and the need to embrace society's outcasts; a brief interview with Willie Brown who explains how Rev. Williams meets his congregation's needs; Rev. Williams campaigning in a sound truck for Senatorial candidate Fred Furth; an interview with Fred Furth; brief views from the studio set of Rev. Williams 'Vibrations' program with Bill Cosby; a glimpse of actress Jane Fonda at a political rally; street scenes in San Francisco (the Mission and Haight-Ashbury neighborhoods) and Rev. Williams talking about black power and revolution, reflecting that: I am convinced ... that America can change without violence, if she wants to." Also features views of worshippers touring San Francisco after Sunday service and of a picnic in Golden Gate Park, with baseball and volleyball. When introducing Rev. Williams the narrator states that: "Cecil is at the same time priest and performer, orator and dancer, preacher and revolutionary all rolled into one." This film was shot by Roy Nolan and Tim Metzger, edited by Ute Sinsig and Tim Metzger, with sound by Lee Callister. The TV Archive would like to thank Saul Rouda for lending us his 16mm print to remaster this film.