7.3
A charismatic charlatan begins a business — and eventually romantic — relationship with a roadside evangelist to sell religion to 1920s America. Based on Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name.
Burt Lancaster
Elmer Gantry
Jean Simmons
Sister Sharon Falconer
Arthur Kennedy
Jim Lefferts
Dean Jagger
William L. Morgan
Shirley Jones
Lulu Bains
Patti Page
Sister Rachel
Edward Andrews
George F. Babbitt
John McIntire
Rev. John Pengilly
Hugh Marlowe
Rev. Philip Garrison
Joe Maross
Pete
Philip Ober
Reverend Planck
Barry Kelley
Police Captain Holt
Wendell Holmes
Reverend Ulrich
Dayton Lummis
Eddington
Colin Kenny
Extra at Revival Meeting
William H. O'Brien
Train Conductor
Bert Stevens
Choir Member
John Qualen
Sam - Storekeeper
Rex Ingram
Preacher of Black Congregation (uncredited)
Sally Fraser
Prostitute
Robert P. Lieb
Lincoln Police Captain
Larry J. Blake
Mac - Bartender (uncredited)
Peter Brocco
Benny - Photographer (uncredited)
George Cisar
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Ralph Dumke
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Everett Glass
Rev. Brown (uncredited)
Sol Gorss
Hobo in Boxcar (uncredited)
Norman Leavitt
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Dan Riss
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Max Showalter
Deaf Man (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Michael Whalen
Rev. Phillips (uncredited)
Jean Willes
Prostitute (uncredited)
Raoul Freeman
Congregation Member (uncredited)
Director, Screenplay
Richard Brooks
Novel
Sinclair Lewis
January 27, 2024
7
Burt Lancaster is on great form here as the eponymous quick-talking and charismatic hoover salesman who alights upon the successful industry that is "Sister Sharon" (Jean Simmons). She preaches the word of God with a piousness that he finds compelling. Not because he shares her zeal, but because he can see the impact it has on the rather sheepish population who turn up at her prayer meetings in their thousands - and donate for the work of the Lord in just as generous a fashion. Initially, the Sister is sceptical but she underestimates his charms and his persevering nature. He, too, does some underestimating of his own and pretty swiftly they are a formidable team of evangelising fund-raisers. He has his detractors, though - not least his jilted lover "Lulu" (Shirley Jones) who resents his new found success and happiness, and so determines to ruin it all for him. Question is - is "Gantry" really a changed man, or is it all just a façade? There's oodles of chemistry on display here between Simmons and an entirely convincing Lancaster that mixes religion, affection and plenty of wry humour as the two play a cat and mouse game that you just know how is going to end up. The writing is pithy and lively allowing these two, as well as Arthur Kennedy and Dean Jagger to deliver meaningfully to this story of indoctrination - but by whom and into what? We used to have a Church of Scotland minister when I was young that I thought was a bit puritanical in his sermon delivery - I suspect he might have watched this!
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$3,000,000.00
Revenue:
$10,400,000.00