Overview
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.
Trailer
Crew
DirectorRichard Brooks
WriterRichard Brooks
Cast
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
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Keywords
based on novel or bookcon manfraudkansas, usareligionpreacherreligious hypocrisytraveling salesmanevangelistrevivalismrevival meeting
Details
Budget
$3M
Revenue
$10M
TMDb Votes
198
Added May 14, 2026Updated Jun 4, 2026