Count Three and Pray (film)

Count Three and Pray is a 1955 CinemaScope western film starring Van Heflin, Joanne Woodward in her film debut and Raymond Burr. It was based on the story Calico Pony also the working title of the film by Herb Meadow. It premiered in Woodwards home town, Greenville, South Carolina, at the Paris Theatre.

Fargo encounters two very different women from his past. Faded Southern belle Georgina Descrais Allison Hayes, impoverished by the war, tries to revive their former romantic relationship, as does the local madam, Selma an uncredited Jean Willes, but he rejects them both. Meanwhile, teenage orphan tomboy Lissy Joanne Woodward, who had been living in the parsonage, takes a strong liking to him. She continues residing there, which causes Fargo a great deal of trouble, as the townspeople, aroused by Huggins, suspect him of falling back on his old scandalous ways. He does not help matters when he reluctantly gambles on a Sunday with prosperous businessman Albert Loomis Philip Carey, winning a horse race and some lumber for the church, and is goaded into fighting Yanceys men.Finally, the bishop has to be called in to resolve the situation. He learns that Fargo, not knowing any better, had not been ordained. After hearing how much good Fargo has done in the community, the bishop makes him a real minister and then tries to get him to marry Lissy. When Fargo proves reluctant, the exasperated Lissy hands the bishop her rifle to prod the hesitant though not unwilling groom. ........

Source: Wikipedia