Elmer Gantry
Seen it?1960 | 146 min | Drama
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 3 Oscars. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 26 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1960: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
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.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
94% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
7.3 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 3 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Actor, Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium. Won 1 Golden Globe: Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America: Best Written American Drama. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars, 4 more Golden Globes and 3 BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$10 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 88K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Richard Brooks
- Burt LancasterElmer Gantry
- Jean SimmonsSister Sharon Falconer
- Arthur KennedyJim Lefferts
- Dean JaggerWilliam L. Morgan
- Shirley JonesLulu Bains
- Patti PageSister Rachel
- Edward AndrewsGeorge F. Babbitt
- John McIntireRev. John Pengilly
- Hugh MarloweRev. Philip Garrison
- Joe MarossPete