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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Theatrical Version
Handsome, opportunistic, immoral. Travelling salesman Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) is all this and more. So when he stumbles into a revival meeting and discovers that he can hustle money in a tent-show as easily as in a saloon, Gantry converts to evangelism. Joining forces with Sister Sharon Falconer (Jean Simmons), he delivers demon-bashing oratories that bring him fame and fortune. But when an old flame (Shirley Jones) re-appears, Gantry is forced to confront demons of a more worldly order--long-buried secrets that will make his "saintly" life a veritable hell on Earth!
"Lancaster gives a vibrant, Oscar-winning performance!" Leonard Maltin
"...surging with power and excitement..." Variety
Editor's Note
Elmer Gantry is a charming, fast-talking con, working the road as a traveling salesman in the 1920s. Burt Lancaster stars as the elusive Gantry in this charismatic adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's 1927 novel. When Gantry runs across a group of traveling evangelists, he charms their saintly leader, Sister Susan Falconer (Jean Simmons), and becomes her partner, preaching fire and brimstone in the packed revival tents of the hardened Midwest. Gantry's robust style and Falconer's Joan of Arc-like spirit skyrocket the two minstrels to fame and fortune as they travel with their flock waging war on sinners and speakeasies--until they preach in a big city and catch the eye of a tough prostitute (Shirley Jones) who knows that Elmer is not quite as holy as he appears. This biting portrait of the business of religion was highly innovative at the time of its release, casting a slightly tarnished light on the hustle and theatrics of traveling ministries, while analyzing the true nature of faith and redemption. Lancaster's performance as the salesman turned preacher is dynamic and highly charismatic, full of energy and robust flair.
Plot Summary
Burt Lancaster stars as Elmer Gantry, a streetwise, fast-talking traveling salesman working the road in the 1920s in this adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's 1927 novel. Always on the lookout for the next moneymaking scheme, Elmer attracts the attention of a group of traveling evangelists, charming their leader, the saintly Sister Susan Falconer. Elmer becomes her smooth-talking preaching sidekick, plagiarizing speeches to promote himself above all else as he successfully exploits the folks of America's Corn Belt. The film features charismatic performances by Lancaster in the title role and Shirley Jones as a tough prostitute.
| Features | Spanish Subtitles | | French Mono | | Spanish Mono | | French Subtitles | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Widescreen Version | | English Dolby Digital Mono |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: MGM |
| Release Date: 12/18/2001 |
| Running Time: 147 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1960 | | Catalog ID: 101053 | | UPC: 00027616858924 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English, French Dubbed, Spanish Dubbed | | Available Subtitles: French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 1.66:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (1961) |  | Burt Lancaster, Winner, Best Actor | | Shirley Jones, Winner, Best Supporting Actress | | Richard Brooks, Winner, Best Writing, Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium | | | Andre Previn, Nominee, Best Music, Scoring Of A Dramatic Or Comedy Picture | | | Bernard Smith, Nominee, Best Picture | |
Golden Globe (1961) | | Burt Lancaster, Winner, Best Motion Picture Actor-Drama | |
New York Film Critics Circle Awards (1960) | | Burt Lancaster, Winner, Best Actor |
| Memorable Quotes| "Prayin's the cheapest first--rate medicine I know."----Elmer (Burt Lancaster) to Jim (Arthur Kennedy) |
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| | Professional Reviews | Total Film
"...It's still unholy fun, perfectly complemented by Andre Previn's devilish, horn-and-hymn-mixing score..." 10/01/2000 p.114 |
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