Elmer Gantry (1960)

In the heart of the roaring twenties, the charismatic and hard-living Elmer Gantry emerges. A traveling salesman with a silver tongue, his artful blend of Christian references and smooth pitches captivates his primarily Christian clientele. Along his travels, he encounters the dynamic Sister Sharon Falconer, an evangelist at the helm of a traveling revival show. Gantry is instantly enamored by Sister Sharon's fiery sermons and sees the potential for a lucrative partnership in her crusade for salvation. With a clever fusion of his sales acumen and religious rhetoric, Gantry makes his way into Sister Sharon's entourage, particularly charming the innocent Sister Rachel. He soon becomes the unlikely counterpoint to Sister Sharon's heavenly message, his tales of sin and damnation contrasting sharply with her promises of redemption. However, his presence is not without contention. Sister Sharon's pragmatic manager, William Morgan, is wary of Gantry's persuasive charm, but cannot deny the financial success that follows his arrival. Traveling alongside the revival show is the astute Jim Lefferts, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist who scrutinizes Gantry and the show with a critical eye. Despite this, he is welcomed by Sister Sharon, William, and even Gantry himself. Against William's better judgment, Sister Sharon, swayed by Gantry's influence, agrees to take their show to the bustling city of Zenith. This move is a risky play that may expose their brand to the cynical scrutiny of its urban populace. Meanwhile, Gantry's past is never far behind. His old flame Lulu Bains, now a lady of the night, stumbles back into his life, threatening to break the illusion Gantry has carefully crafted. As he seeks forgiveness from Sister Sharon and navigates the repercussions of his past indiscretions, a tragic turn of events strikes, shaking the very foundations of their revivalist empire. The film 'Elmer Gantry' is a riveting exploration of faith, redemption, and the blurred lines between sincerity and manipulation, set against the backdrop of an era defined by decadence and religious fervor.

Elmer Gantry is a drama movie featuring Burt Lancaster and directed by Richard Brooks.

Elmer Gantry is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Tubi TV and it's also available on Amazon Prime Video and Hoopla.