Saturday, June 04, 2022
Elmer Gantry
- Commentary: This is one of those films I've watched so many times I can quote dialogue from it. The story is incendiary (literally). The production is spot on. The acting is masterful. Although I wouldn't ordinarily label a film like this a "spectacle" film, it certainly isn't in the mode of, say The Ten Commandments, the spectacle film against which to judge all spectacle films, there is something spectacular about every element of this film, not the least of which are Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons. Both were made for these roles.
Roger Ebert wrote an extraordinary essay in memory of Burt Lancaster. I thought it was fitting to include it in this post since this movie belongs to Burt Lancaster. This was a movie that Mom enjoyed, as well, although it was one we caught on TCM and checked out of the library rather than owned. I own it, now. It's the kind of movie that makes me want to read the book. I haven't, yet, but I have a copy. I'll be cracking it soon.
And now, dear reader, an essay by Roger Ebert, the famous film critic, you will note, on reading. I remembered this essay, which I read a while back, immediate after I wrote "It's the kind of movie that makes me want to read the book." Since, in fact, I have realized that I did read the book, in high school, along with several other Sinclair novels. And yet, the reading of the book has vanished, in my memory, below the watching of the film. Hmmm. This essay reminds me that if I love the movie and it's based on a book, I need to read (or reread) the book. The two are tangled media. Employing both, I think, enhances one's intelligence with perspicuity. Consider my write-up of Rosemary's Baby. Rarely does a movie follow a book so closely, usually only in the case where the book was written with the movie in mind. Which is the point. If the book was written long before the movie was even a twinkle in someone's eye, and, if you enjoyed the movie, I guarantee, you'll really enjoy the book. Think you don't have the time for the book? Time doesn't put demands on us, we put demands on Time. Make some demands. I think you might be pleasantly surprised at what results.
Update 6/2/2022: This post was originally published on 2/5/2018 but disappeared from public view. I am now reinstating it.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Burt Lancaster Elmer Gantry Jean Simmons Sister Sharon Falconer Arthur Kennedy Jim Lefferts Dean Jagger William L. Morgan Shirley Jones Lulu Baines Patti Paige Sister Rachel Edward Andrews George F. Babbitt John McIntire Rev. John Pengilly
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1960
Directed by Richard Brooks.
Labels: burt-lancaster, dean-jagger, drama4, jean-simmons, period2, spectacle1
