4 Star Films Posted by 4 Star Film Fan on Jan 2, 2021
“You not only put the fear of God into them, you scared the hell out of them.” – Arthur Kennedy as Jim Lefferts talking about Elmer Gantry. Elmer Gantry opens with a disclaimer, which no doubt plays as a defense tactic against the National Legion of Decency. However, taking a page read more
One of two features you fans wanted to see was the return of Kristen Recasts the Classics. Ask and ye shall receive! Before you get into a lather, Hollywood doesn’t have any plans to remake Elmer Gantry….currently. So then why did I single this out for a recast? Well, because I’d a read more
Elmer Gantry
Directed by Richard Brooks
Written by Richard Brooks from the novel by Sinclair Lewis
1960/USA
Elmer Gantry Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental This film’s failure to decide what it wants to be drags it out to an interminable 2 1/2 hours. The story is set in read more
If this is your first time taking in Elmer Gantry, expect the unexpected! For a film from 1960 – where the Hollywood Production Code was crumbling but not yet collapsed – there’s a shockingly progressive look at everything, from relationships to religion. At times, it’s hard read more
Based on the 1927 novel by Sinclair Lewis, Elmer Gantry tells the story of a fast talking, womanizing traveling salesman who becomes the main preacher in a traveling revivalist church. Both the novel and film were very controversial in their time. In the twenties, the novel was banned in many citi read more
