Elmer Gantry (1960)

ridiculous rating

One of the best films i have seen

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

In many ways, this movie is the ultimate Sales movie in that it perfectly incorporates the idea that Sales and Jesus are inextricably joined at the hip. Have you made your decision for CHRIST! was bellowed by the terrifying Alec Baldwin, but no one joins Sales and The Lord better than Burt Lancaster in Elmer Gantry. Elmer is a traveling Salesman, a con man, drunkard and a bum, but this guy could sell a ticket to the slaughterhouse to a suckling pig, make that a seasons pass, he was that good.The history behind this blockbuster of a film is fascinating. Sinclair Lewis had a difficult time selling his novel in his time period, but the finished product finally surfaces in 1960, much to the consternation of conservative Bible-Thumpers and Women's Temperance fanatics. There were warnings to keep the children away, but why? I'll tell you why. One of the points made by the movie was the possibility that there just might not be a God! Imagine that! The book was banned in The South (where else?) but this magnificent work finally saw the light of day and a giant of a film was produced.Elmer Gantry is smitten by Sister Sharon Falconer, and she by him, so they join forces to save the world, in spite of the ones around them who suspect this unholy alliance. Jim Lefferts, played by Jack Kennedy is a skeptical and cynical newspaper reporter who identifies Elmer immediately as the fraud that he is. In spite of this conflict, the two have a respect and alliance, they both know what they are, without pretense and the mutual respect is there. Overshadowed by the great Burt Lancaster's performance, Kennedy brilliantly plays the part of a newsman who is an obvious atheist and there just weren't many atheists in Mid-America those days.The essence of this movie must involve the Oscar winning performance of the star, Burt Lancaster. There was much lamenting that Jean Simmons was robbed of an Oscar, but Burt Lancaster was not to be denied his earned gold for a sizzling performance. Lancaster is a grinning physical specimen and he manifests this greatness as he hypnotizes and sells the gullible masses under the tents in the American Midwest. He was born for this role and exhibits his mannerisms and charm with maximum efficiency.The movies end was lame and inexplicable considering the body of work that surrounded it, but all is forgiven with every minute of Lancaster's landmark performance as one of the greatest Salesmen ever.

I love it when the hucksters get their comeuppance, and as the title character Elmer Gantry, Burt Lancaster takes it to the shysters and con-men in all his flamboyant glory. The picture launches a direct broadside against the revival movement of the 1920's and those who would 'be the first to shake 'em up Jesus'. Lancaster is appealingly effective in his role as con-man, hustler, liar, thief and clown, a crude and vulgar show-off according to William Morgan (Dean Jagger). A single glance at revivalist preacher Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons) and Gantry insinuates himself into her congregation as the wayward messenger, a step up from bar room philosopher and itinerant alcoholic and womanizer.With present day progressives firmly entrenched in their war on Christianity and organized religion, it's interesting to take this half century step back in time and see how that era took it's unsubtle mocking of fundamentalism mainstream. There's a dichotomy though, Sister Falconer is genuinely entrenched in her faith and dreams of her own church one day. Gantry initially views her as simply another one of his romantic conquests, but is sharp enough to realize that the traveling religious sideshow can be a profitable business in it's own right. Preacher Gantry has the true believers swooning in their seats and the local churchmen eager and ready to capitalize on the resurgence of their congregations. Why is it that Edward Andrews is always the perfect choice for a character like George Babbitt? He can do them in his sleep.I first saw this film many years ago when the only television broadcast availability was in black and white, and I can't help think that the story might have been more effective if made in that format. The characters here had just too many shades of gray to be conveyed otherwise. You know, I just had a thought. Instead of colorizing old films, how about taking ones like this and redoing them in glorious black and white. "Elmer Gantry" would be a perfect candidate.

The exchanges between Elmer Gantry as played by Burt Lancaster and Jim Lefferts played by Arthur Kennedy is the what brings me back to this film time and again. They are pitted as enemies yet they understand each other as no other character in the film can. With a wry smile, Kennedy displays a grudging respect for Elmer's ability to manipulate crowds and twist logic to suit his purpose. "Jim Lefferts is an honorable man. But so was Brutus. And we all know that Brutus was an anarchistic, alcoholic assassin!" How can you argue with someone who is prepared to use such outrageous tactics? But it is when Elmer uses Jim's innate honesty to trap him into admitting his agnosticism that turns black comedy into a dramatic poignancy. "Do you believe Jesus Christ can give us life everlasting?" asks Elmer. "I'd love to believe it," replies Jim. The depth Kennedy brings to this line is moving beyond words but Elmer, rather than being moved, presses his advantage to assert that Jim's "confessed bigotry" has led to his attack upon Sister Sharon bringing revivalism to the town of Zenith. After Elmer destroys Jim with his street-fighter use of indefensible insinuation and blackmail, he declares he bares Jim "no malice". His outrageousness is so blatant that there is nothing Jim can do but raise his glass to Elmer.There are many other memorable moments in the film but two stand out for me. Elmer when on a crusade against sin dramatically orders the chief of police to "break down that speakeasy door" to which the chief replies in a bemused tone "Just knock. They'll open up".The other is when Elmer goes on his way at the end of the film. Jim's respect is again tweaked as Elmer absolves the crowd who beg him to forgive them for having ran instead of standing by Sister Sharon as she and her church burnt the night before. "That was inspired, " claims Bill Morgan, the ardent believer. 'Jim boy, do believe it was inspired? " Elmer asks Lefferts. "I think it was real friendly," Jim replies. He admires Elmer's humanity and sensitivity towards others because it is not just for show. Ultimately, Jim is moved by Elmer's honesty. "You really do believe in the Lord, don't you." Jim says this to Elmer not as a question but as a gesture of good will towards his greatest adversary and confidante.Elmer is an honest hypocrite and Jim can't help but like him.

We love retro fashion and design because there's beauty and a touch of irony in nostalgic simplicity. If I want a mindless good time in film land, there's nothing like a trip to the past that never existed. I'm thinking of Doris Day singing over daisies and the like. But wait, there's more ladies, I bring you Elmer Gantry, circa 1960. This film really breaks the mold, I mean not moldy at all, in fact disturbingly current in it's profile of a man living by his wits alone who scores big time when he discovers the path to success through exploiting the town folks religious beliefs.Elmer Gantry is a shady traveling salesman who happens upon a revival meeting. When he sees the beautiful evangelist Sister Sharon Falconer filling the tent up with paying sinners, a light bulb goes off. Forget farm tools, religion is the plastics of 1920′s America. There's a point where you start to believe that Elmer will go straight. Alas, he can't escape his womanizing past with the reappearance of Lulu Baines, the bawdy bad girl he can't forget.There's so much going on here. Elmer Gantry was based on a novel by Sinclair Louis. We've got Shirley Jones in her Oscar winning role as Lulu Baines. Yes, that Shirley, the Partridge Family mom. Remember now, it's 1960 and Lulu describes a scene saying, "he rammed the fear of God into me so fast I never heard my old man's footsteps." Oh yeah, and "you're amusing and you smell like a real man"