IMDb > Elmer Gantry (1960)
Elmer Gantry
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Elmer Gantry (1960) More at IMDbPro »

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Elmer Gantry (1960) -- Trailer for this epic tale of an all American boy

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   3,779 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 185% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Richard Brooks (screenplay)
Sinclair Lewis (novel)
Contact:
View company contact information for Elmer Gantry on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 July 1960 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
The screen has never known a man like ELMER GANTRY more
Plot:
Elmer Gantry is a fast talking, hard drinking traveling salesman who always has a risqué story and a... more | add synopsis
Awards:
Won 3 Oscars. Another 8 wins & 10 nominations more
User Comments:
This is the movie Steve Martin was trying to make when he did "Leap of Faith" more (54 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Burt Lancaster ... Elmer Gantry

Jean Simmons ... Sister Sharon Falconer, nee Katie Jones
Arthur Kennedy ... Jim Lefferts
Dean Jagger ... William L. Morgan
Shirley Jones ... Lulu Bains
Patti Page ... Sister Rachel
Edward Andrews ... George F. Babbitt (as Ed Andrews)
John McIntire ... Rev. John Pengilly
Hugh Marlowe ... Rev. Philip Garrison
Joe Maross ... Pete
Philip Ober ... Rev. Planck
Barry Kelley ... Police Capt. Holt
Wendell Holmes ... Rev. Ulrich
Dayton Lummis ... Mr. Eddington, newspaper publisher
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
146 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Sister Sharon is seen briefly outside a movie theater advertising a film. The title is not given but the stars names are given as Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres, suggesting that the film is almost certainly The Sheik (1921). more
Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): At the newspaper office meeting, Elmer Gantry refers to Christ' miracle of feeding the 5,000 with five fishes and two loaves of bread. According to the Gospels, it was five loaves and two fishes. more
Quotes:
Clean-up man: Mister, I've been converted five times. Billy Sunday, Reverend Biederwolf, Gypsy Smith, and twice by Sister Falconer. I get terrible drunk, and then I get good and saved. Both of them done me a powerful lot of good - gettin' drunk and gettin' saved. Well, good night. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Onward Christian Soldiers more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 18 people found the following comment useful.
This is the movie Steve Martin was trying to make when he did "Leap of Faith", 15 March 1999
10/10
Author: bongtalk from Indianapolis, IN

The titular character starts out as a cynical small time hustler discovering a good scam joining up with a traveling revival show, and casting his eye to the charismatic and comely lady preacher leading it.

What is really good is how the character develops, and gradually becomes a good sincere Christian, which is best seen in his interaction with the Shirley Jones character.

She is a preacher's kid who was disowned by her father before the start of the movie timeline after he caught Elmer "ramming the fear of god" into her. She has since become a prostitute, and has the opportunity to repay Elmer's earlier callous treatment.

Oh, yes, I know these people, or at least watered down real life versions of them. This movie really gets at the charismatic Christianity of the heartlands, and the strong sexual tensions running just beneath the surface. Oh, I bet Jimmy Swaggart for one knew JUST what they were getting at.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (54 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Elmer Gantry (1960)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Faith Healing neverdidnowanderin
Elmer Gantry vs. Carrie CahillSellers
Shirley Jones Won An Oscar For This??? kdboles
What about the funny? freelocalradio
Very relevant for America today diesel-magoo
Casting for remake of Elmer Gantry mudgejl
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