Elmer Gantry

A fast-talking traveling salesman (Burt Lancaster) with a charming, loquacious manner convinces a sincere evangelist (Jean Simmons) he can be an effective preacher for her cause.

A highly controversial novel in its day, no studio initially wanted to finance the film.

Pat Hingle landed the title role, but before filming began, he became caught in a stalled elevator in his apartment building. He lost his balance while trying to crawl out and fell 54 feet down the shaft. He sustained massive injuries, including a fractured skull, wrist, hip and leg, and several broken ribs. He also lost his little finger on his left hand. Hingle spent much of the next year relearning how to walk and was forced to give up the part in order to recover from his horrific injuries.

Christopher Plummer and Susan Hayward were considered to star.

James Cagney, Montgomery Clift, Christopher Plummer and William Holden were all considered for the Lancaster role.

Director Richard Brooks did not want Shirley Jones for the role of Lulu Bains, but Burt Lancaster insisted. As a result, Brooks gave Jones no direction in the filming of a very difficult scene. Brooks eventually admitted to her that he couldn’t see anyone else in the role.

Lancaster received an Oscar for Best Actor and Jones for Best Supporting Actress

1960

NR

738329139629

USA

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Movie

Kino Lorber

17

94

7.7

2018-02-07 18:27:54

1.66:1

146

United States

2014-09-23

H.264 / AVC (MPEG-4 Part 10)

1080p

1.66:1

25 GB (Blu)

1

A

Snap Case

~$14.99

2026-04-10

2018-02-07 18:27:54