ELMER GANTRY
US, 1960, 145 minutes, Colour.
Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Arthur Kennedy, Shirley Jones, Dean Jagger.
Directed by Richard Brooks.
Elmer Gantry was one of the best American films of 1960. It received a number of Oscar nominations and won the award for Burt Lancaster in the central role and for Shirley Jones as best supporting actress. Elmer Gantry was written and directed by Richard Brooks who had adapted many novels and plays in his career eg. The Brothers Karamazov, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Lord Jim and In Cold Blood to name but a few.
The film was based on Sinclair Lewis's famous novel, and its exploration of a particularly American phenomenon of a revivalist religion. The point of view taken by Lewis was antagonistic towards this kind of religion, although he conceded that some of the people involved in it were sincere as in the character of Sister Sharon, played by Jean Simmons. The film re-created the atmosphere of the 30s, the people yearning for this kind of religion, the hysteria that came over people in the praying and healing ceremonies, and the way that people could be caught up. However, it showed the world of religion as bait for charlatans whether deliberate or undeliberate. Burt Lancaster invests a lot of energy in the portrayal of Elmer Gantry who becomes a symbol of the sincerity and hypocrisy of this kind of religious involvement. The film is quite powerful in its way as a study of America and of human relationships.
1. The overall impact of this film? Its way of retaining audience interest? How enjoyable? As an insight into America?
2. The length of the film, its colour, sets, stars? How well did they combine for effective drama?
3. The importance of the prologue and the warning about Revivalism? Did this make the audience pre-judge the film? How much did response to the film depend on attitudes towards Revivalism before the start?
4. How much sympathy for people involved in Revivalism was there? Or was it merely a strong expose of these people and their methods? Was the film just in its presentation of this aspect of American religion?
5. How well did the film focus on Gantry? Burt Lancaster's style for this character? The initial presentation of the American salesman, the 30s, his story, 'hail.fellow, well met', his drinking, the night with Lulu? How did we see things through Gantry's eyes? How important was this?
6. How did the film evoke interest in Sister Sharon? As seen by Gantry? His attraction towards her, his pursuit of her on the train etc.? His confidence tricks in using Morgan and Lefferts on the train? His use of Sister Rachel? How did he impress Sharon? The nature of his patter, of his acting religiously, the effect of his success in Revivalism, the growing conviction that he was right, his belief in his own powers, his hallucinating himself? The reason for his personal involvement in Revivalism, the effect on himself, and others?
7. The background of money and Revivalism: the Babbitts and their manoeuvrings, the hypocritical American businessman, the spectacle and the attraction of people by the bizarre, the police supervision and regulations on Revivalism? The effect of this kind of background on the impact on the people?
8. The contrast with Sister Sharon and her ways of prayer and communication? The simplicity of the milk-maid, her sincerity, a complex character? Her fascination with Gantry and her growing love for him? Her common-sensed attitudes and the compatibility of her love with her profession? The film's visualising of her performance, of her prayer, of the impact on people's lives?
9. The film's presentation of Sister Sharon's entourage? The sincerity of William Morgan and his being caught up in Gantry's enthusiasm? Sister Rachel, her conversion, friendship with Sharon, love for Gantry, helping him, her contribution to the religious Revival?
10. The religious convictions of Babbitt and the ministers? The fact that Babbitt could be terrified by public opinion? His hypocrisy in drinking and gambling and public religion?
11. The importance of Jim Lefferts? The sceptic and the audience seeing things through his eyes? The importance of his travelling with the group? His quizzical and amused regard for Gantry? Was he right in writing his articles? Their impact? The reaction of Gantry? The reaction of Sister Sharon? The business people and the ministers?
12. The importance of the sequences of verbal clashes between Lefferts and Gantry? The drama of Gantry condemning Lefferts by his own words, especially about the Gospels and God? How enjoyable was this? What points were being made? Lefferts' withdrawal?
13. The character of Lulu and her integration into the film? The initial presentation, the relationship with Gantry, the prostitutes and receiving the vengeance of the enthused Revivalists? (The impact of this kind of vigilante approach as regards brothels etc.?) Her humiliation, her relationship with Gantry and his getting her off? Her humiliating him, deceiving him with the photos? The fact that he was deceived? Her enjoyment of his humiliation, her change of heart? How credible was this? Lulu as bringing a better side out of Gantry?
14. The impact of the scandal on Sharon? Her disappointment in Gantry but her fidelity? The buying of the negatives from Lulu? The importance of this confrontation of the two women for the themes of the film? The climax sequence and Sharon going out, the contrast with the few when the scandal was raging? The importance of the miracle? How convincing, how convinced was she?
15. The film's commentary on the public and their fickleness? Their love of spectacle?
16. The importance of the climax of the fire? Its destruction of a way of life and religion? The fact that Sharon died?
17. Gantry at the end? His saving people? A certain nobility? His future?
18. The social themes in the film, American society, capitalism, the Press, organised religion etc.?
19. The film as a study of relationships?
20. Could the film be described as religious? its insights into true and false religions? The value of religion in society?
