Hollywood Priest

A 60-year-old Paulist priest here recalls an extraordinarily varied life as a Los Angeles parish cleric, 1965 Vatican Council correspondent and TV producer of the syndicated Insight drama series on religious themes. Believing that ``living out the Gospel . . . necessitates sustained political involvement,'' Kieser produced Romero , a feature film on the 1980 assassination of San Salvador's heroic archbishop Oscar Romero, and journeyed throughout the Third World filming. He stresses that his greatest adventure, however, is the ongoing search for God. Kieser candidly treats both worldly and spiritual matters--including an intimate relationship with a nun. Rich in vivid imagery, telling detail and characterizations--be they of film stars or theologians--the fresh, fluent prose is that of a natural storyteller. Photos not seen by PW. Major ad/promo; author tour. (July)