Review of Elmer Gantry (1960) by Sean C — 03 Nov 2008

Terrific performances and script based on novel by sinclair lewis. lancaster is all teeth and hair -- really strong. I was troubled, as I often am in older films, by a heroine's sexual awakening resulting from the hero's (violent?) assertion of his lust.

shirley jones as lulu the prostitute is elmer's undoing. just as he is absolved by his (rape?) of sharon, his dealings with lulu taint his reputation. lulu's turnaround is clearly detailed and enacted, elmer's is more nebulous.

at what point is he no longer the snake-oil salesman? I didn't see that develop very strongly. overall, it is a great movie to discuss, as it raises questions about the roles of religion, press, politics and spectacle.

the performances are all strong and it is very worth checking out.