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.
Acting
Lancaster's Oscar-winning sermon — part Elvis, part Lucifer, all sweat.
Writing
Brooks' script weaponizes Sinclair Lewis' 1927 rage for the TV age.
Cinematography
Tent interiors lit like a fever dream you can't wake from.
Director
Richard Brooks
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
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Lancaster bought the rights himself in 1948, waited 12 years to age into the role, and did his own preaching scenes in one take.
Shirley Jones' Oscar-winning role as fallen woman Lulu Bains was so against her wholesome image that her agent tried to block it.
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