Elmer Gantry_
"If there was a dollar to be made—Gantry would make it … If there was a soul to be saved—Gantry would save it …"
A charismatic charlatan begins a business — and eventually romantic — relationship with a roadside evangelist to sell religion to 1920s America. Based on Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Prime Video
14 countries
Tubi
FREE
2 countries
Plex
FREE
1 country
S
ScreenPix Amazon Channel
1 country
Filmin
1 country
Watcha
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Elmer Gantry earned $10.4M worldwide on a $3.0M budget — a 247% return on investment.
Richard Brooks →
Year context
Elmer Gantry was released 66 years ago in 1960.
CAST (20)
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
CREW
Director
Writer
BOX OFFICE
$3.0M
Budget
$10.4M
Revenue
+247%
ROI
BLOCKBUSTER
Verdict
STUDIOS (1)
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
146 min (2h 26m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.3/10 (192 votes)
Popularity
5
Budget
$3,000,000
Box Office
$10,400,000
Profit
+$7,400,000
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Elmer Gantry about?
A charismatic charlatan begins a business — and eventually romantic — relationship with a roadside evangelist to sell religion to 1920s America. Based on Sinclair Lewis' novel of the same name.
How long is Elmer Gantry?
Elmer Gantry has a runtime of 146 minutes (2h 26m).
Who directed Elmer Gantry?
Elmer Gantry was directed by Richard Brooks.
Who stars in Elmer Gantry?
The cast of Elmer Gantry includes Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Arthur Kennedy, Dean Jagger, Shirley Jones.
How much did Elmer Gantry make at the box office?
Elmer Gantry earned $10,400,000 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $3,000,000.
What is the rating of Elmer Gantry?
Elmer Gantry has a rating of 7.3 out of 10 based on 192 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (1)
Drama
KEYWORDS (11)
based on novel or book
con man
fraud
kansas, usa
religion
preacher
religious hypocrisy
traveling salesman
evangelist
revivalism
revival meeting