Find Movies & TV
Home
Live TV
On Demand
Discover
Explore
Movies & TV Shows
Most Popular
Leaving Soon
Categories
Action
Animation
Comedy
Crime
Descriptive Audio
Documentary
Drama
En Español
Horror
Music
Romance
Sci-Fi
Thriller
Western
Explore
Browse Channels
Featured Channels
Stargate by MGM
Hallmark Movies & More
The First 48 by A&E
Categories
Hit TV
Drama TV
True Crime
Comedy
News
Sports
Reality
History & Science
Movies
Sci-Fi & Action
Classic TV
Food & Home
Lifestyle
Nature & Travel
Daytime TV
Game Shows
Kids & Family
Anime+
Chills & Thrills
International
En Español
Music
Sign In
Elmer Gantry
Directed by
Richard Brooks
Approved
1960
2h 26m
Drama
7.7
94%
87%
Add to Watchlist
A charming conman joins an evangelist sister in the 1920s Midwest.
More
Where to Watch Elmer Gantry
Tubi TV
Free
ScreenPix Apple TV Channel
Subscription
Cast of Elmer Gantry
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
William H. O'Brien
Train Conductor
Bert Stevens
Choir Member
John Qualen
Sam - Storekeeper
Rex Ingram
Preacher of Black Congregation (uncredited)
Sally Fraser
Prostitute
Robert P. Lieb
Lincoln Police Captain
Larry J. Blake
Mac - Bartender (uncredited)
Peter Brocco
Benny - Photographer (uncredited)
George Cisar
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Ralph Dumke
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Everett Glass
Rev. Brown (uncredited)
Sol Gorss
Hobo in Boxcar (uncredited)
Norman Leavitt
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Dan Riss
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Max Showalter
Deaf Man (uncredited)
Dale Van Sickel
Salesman in Saloon (uncredited)
Michael Whalen
Rev. Phillips (uncredited)
Jean Willes
Prostitute (uncredited)
Raoul Freeman
Congregation Member (uncredited)
Richard Brooks
Director / Writer
Sinclair Lewis
Writer
Bernard Smith
Producer
Elmer Gantry Ratings & Reviews
Mister Arn
May 14, 2025
I remembered this movie as blasting religion, but after rewatching it, I came away with a different interpretation. This time I saw Gantry as sincere but flawed, and it changed everything
Slant Magazine
Dan Jardine
The film pulls few punches in its story of the hypocrisy, materialism, and opportunism at the heart of the evangelical world of Bible-thumping barnstorming revival troupes
TV Guide
Lancaster pulls out all the stops in one of his most memorable roles as the lustful, ambitious charlatan of Sinclair Lewis's powerful novel.
Variety
Variety Staff
Brooks honors the spirit of Lewis' cynical commentary on circus-type primitive exhortation with pictorial imagery that is always pungent. He also has written dialog that is frank and biting.
Chicago Reader
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Brooks was the ultimate vulgarizer of serious literature.
EmanuelLevy.Com
Emanuel Levy
Burt Lancaster gives one of his most memorable and zestiest performances as the lustful, charismatic evangelist charlatan in Richard Brooks' loose adaptation of Sinclair Lewis 1927 powerful novel.
Kansas City Kansan
Steve Crum
Hypocrisy and religion exploited! Lancaster and Shirley Jones are terrific.
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Ken Hanke
Still powerful expose of evangelism.
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Daniel M. Kimmel
(No quote available.)
New York Times
A.H. Weiler
The briskly paced drama of a religious opportunist, his colleagues and his times utilizes the tools of the motion picture in expert fashion.
Austin Chronicle
Marjorie Baumgarten
Lancaster and Simmons are scorching as the con artist and the evangelist who join forces in the 1920s Midwest.
Apollo Guide
Jaime N. Christley
The most interesting part of this movie is its use of broad strokes to mask subtle sketches and careful characterizations.
Watch Elmer Gantry Videos
Elmer Gantry
Elmer Gantry
Trailer
Take Plex everywhere
Watch free anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.
See the full list of supported devices
Home
Live TV
On Demand
Discover