Elmer Gantry is a great movie even if it is 1960 vintage. Burt Lancaster had over 40 years movie acting, many of them good even though they were stock studio productions But in Gantry, I think he got an Oscar for it, he is a standout. An absolutely breathtaking portrayal of a down & out travelling salesman who latches on to a travelling Christian revivalist company, led by Jean Simmons, and makes it a vehicle for his own brand of charismatic preaching which is just magic to watch. The other thing about this movie is it features a lot of old Hollywood actors of mediocre talent and squeezes outstanding performances from all of them. I'd rate it as one of the best movies of it's time and a great movie in any time. Othe Burt Lancaster movies which stand out are Sweet Smell of Success, Sorry Wrong Number and The Rainmaker.
