Elmer Gantry

"If there was a dollar to be made—Gantry would make it … If there was a soul to be saved—Gantry would save it …"

Aug 26 1960 Approved 2h 26m
Drama

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.

Plot

Elmer Gantry is a fast-talking, hard-drinking traveling salesman who always has a risqué story and a hip flask to entertain cronies and customers alike. He is immediately taken with Sister Sharon Falconer, a lay preacher whose hellfire-and-damnation revivalism has attracted quite a following. Gantry uses his own quick wit and Bible knowledge to become an indispensable part of Sister Sharon's roadshow, but his past soon catches up with him in the form of Lulu Bains, now a prostitute. While Gantry seeks and eventually gets forgiveness from Sharon, tragedy strikes when she finally manages to get out of her revivalist tent and opens a permanent church.

Written by

Richard Brooks, Sinclair Lewis

Directed by

Richard Brooks

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

United Artists

Languages

English

Awards

Won 3 Oscars. 11 wins & 14 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
13,582
Average Rating
7.7 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA