Contagious faith: Sundance documentary is about LDS conversion of former punk-rocker

Originally, Whiteley wasn't able to film an interview with Morrissey — the organizer and featured performer of the festival that mounted the reunion. "He rarely does interviews, but his affection for Arthur and the Dolls was clear. He was incredibly gracious."

Whiteley also interviewed Boomtown Rats founder Bob Geldhof, Pretenders singer/songwriter Chrissie Hynde and Mick Jones from the Clash — some of his favorite musicians of the period, which he described as a "perk."

Ditto interviewing Kane's co-workers at the LDS Family History Center in Los Angeles. "We Latter-day Saints are thought of as very button-down, serious people, but these are very spiritual, but very funny and very genuine, people."

Whiteley relished the opportunity to show Kane and others as they really are — though it also made him a little nervous. "I knew I had to be careful. I was just thinking, 'Oh, Lord, don't let me mess this up.' "

Another nervous moment came when Kane actually reunited with Johansen. The two men had been holding a grudge against each other for nearly 30 years.

"I really didn't know how that was going to go down, but it sure was exciting," Whiteley said with a grin.

"It was an absolutely beautiful moment. It was one of those moments when I knew my film really was blessed."

Sadly, toward the end of the documentary, Kane is diagnosed with leukemia. He was not able to see the finished film, as he died before its completion.

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If you go . . .

What: "New York Doll," Sundance Film Festival

Where: Cinemark Holiday Village Cinemas, 1176 Park Ave., Park City

When: Today, 2:30 p.m.

How much: $10

Phone: 924-0882

Web: www.sundance.org

Also: Saturday, 3:45 p.m., Broadway Centre, 111 E. Broadway

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com