Trapeze, From here to eternity, His majesty o´keefe, birdman of alcatraz, vera cruz, jim thorpe, the killers, tough guys, elmer gantry, the rainmaker, judgement at nuremberg, crimson pirate,..... damn good movies, aint nobody like big lancaster.
The irony here is that shifty Elmer Gantry is "on his way" to a new career in the racket of organized religion. A double irony is also shown in that he makes this discovery among truly decent believers in a humble country church.
@RedRebel8 He's white. This movie takes place in 1927. Society was still very much racially segregated and groups like the Ku Klux Klan were powerful. They would have good reason to be apprehensive of a random white guy coming into their congregation.
In many respects Lancaster was a comedian. His serious roles are usually way over the top, but here it was a perfect fit: he played the comedy as joyful and the serious as almost comic until Jean Simmons comes along: then cupids arrow blends it all into a grand mix. Except for a few scenes in Valdez, and a few moments in Eternity and even fewer in Devils Deciple he was never better: the amazing thing here is how perfect he is all the damn way through it. And what an ending.
I watched the movie on TCM movies last night. Great message. Its not easy wanting to spread the word and falling short on some of the morals. Yet, this type of song reveals it all. It is a mighty hard climb, but I'm on my way. Great rendition. I found lyrics that are similar but not quite what is sang in the last 3 verses. Hope I can find it or I'll have to write it down and memorize it. It would be cool to have worship with this song at church. I may propose it to the worship leader.
This is what brought all of us together. This is what is lost. For a single white man walking into an all black church. Yes the church brought out believes and strengths together. Now it is gone. The atheists have destroyed it. I fear the world that is already here.
This is a great song! Burt sings with a wonderful baratone vocal that cuts through the mix of the congregation. Check out my blusey version of this old black spiritual.
This movie and esp. this scene (and when Lancaster starts singing this wonderful gospel at the end again) still makes me shiver.
One of the best directors on earth teamed up with the best actor from those long and sadly bygone days and turned one of the best novels ever written into a movie and ... the result is just fantastic, every minute of the well over 2 hours !! :-))) Seen it a couple of times and still can´t get enough of that story and that grin !!
I always watch ELMER GANTRY, when it runs on TV and when it doesn´t, I take out my VHS, which I cut from one of the airings. It´s a movie I tend to watch every app. 2 years, the best movie on religion in fact.
The whole cast is wonderful, but Burt really shines in this (in fact he shines in many movies he is in, what a great guy!)!!
I second that emotion! A powerhouse of a movie with outstanding direction, writing, cast & production values. One of the best screen adaptations of an American novel. THANKS for your insightful, perceptive & thoughtful comments! :-)
Unless I'm mising something between the lines, that's one of the most Goddamned ignorant comments I've ever read. Less than 5 minutes earlier, white men on the train tried to kill him for his shoes, let alone his bags. I think you've got a lot of 'splainin to do, Lucy.
That's funny, because I can't watch it without thinking of Rudy Guiliani, John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Mark Foley, David Vitter, Larry Craig, Craig Livingston, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, and Ted Haggard.
You know, people who lecture us on homosexuality and adultery, and then commit those very same acts.
Say what you will about Bill Clinton, I don't remember him making his career on being some sort of paragon of virtue. Which puts him one up on everyone I just listed.
Beautiful Negro spiritual. I didn't know Burt Lancaster could sing so well. They surely do not make great cinema like this anymore. Check out "Jesus of Nazareth" for another great film!
ND2525 - completely agree! Burt is just so good - he conveys both how Elmer can utterly charm those around him, and also the self-interest working away behind the charm. Seamless and completely captivating! =)
Burt's last stanza of "Oh, I'm on my way" and his last slow smile has a subtle sinister air, with the double meaning of "I'm on my way" as foreshadowing.
Trapeze, From here to eternity, His majesty o´keefe, birdman of alcatraz, vera cruz, jim thorpe, the killers, tough guys, elmer gantry, the rainmaker, judgement at nuremberg, crimson pirate,..... damn good movies, aint nobody like big lancaster.
10from10 1 week ago
and what is love? ....
10from10 1 week ago
DO A WEB SEARCH ON:
charles h. miranda OR:
charlesthepoet2003 OR:
charlesthepoet2004
THANKS.
charlesthepoet2004 3 weeks ago
Without doubt one of the most beautiful songs, with the best rendition ever. Thanks so much for posting this!
jerryneyk1 4 weeks ago
The irony here is that shifty Elmer Gantry is "on his way" to a new career in the racket of organized religion. A double irony is also shown in that he makes this discovery among truly decent believers in a humble country church.
Zebred2001 2 months ago in playlist Inspirational
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What a nice guy he was!
Black and white are on their way!
mahilamahila 3 months ago
Badass.
azanker 4 months ago 10
These are the best scenes, without any spoken word they convey very powerful messages. (The singing is just the conduit)
Dillrod90 4 months ago
Is there a reason why they were a apprehensive about his entrance into the church?
RedRebel8 4 months ago
@RedRebel8 He's white. This movie takes place in 1927. Society was still very much racially segregated and groups like the Ku Klux Klan were powerful. They would have good reason to be apprehensive of a random white guy coming into their congregation.
caderuse 4 months ago
@caderuse Thanks - I didn't realise segregation would have extended to churches.
RedRebel8 4 months ago
Not one dislike...We are ON OUR WAY !!
EVRYMANaKING 5 months ago
Genial!
tarasro 6 months ago
I have to admit this scene moved me to tears the first time I saw the movie.
victools 6 months ago
Look! It's good ole Rick "Elmer Gantry" Perry singing!!
BullnBearAnalytics 6 months ago
That little girl really made this scene.
ezramead 10 months ago
Ah, despite the movie's message, when I see acting such as this, I'm tempted to say 'Thank God for actors like Burt Lancaster'.
Ladna37 10 months ago
¡Fantástico Burt Lancaster! Una excelente película. Saludos.
LucioFehr 10 months ago
he makes me cry....
vigilaki 11 months ago
awesome at 2:25 when he smiles like a bastard.
clarkanorak 11 months ago
classic
mrsavoy66 1 year ago
This was a great movie even though it is so different from the book. The movie makes Gantry out to be a more sympathetic character.
TheFlanker35 1 year ago
this is one of my favorite movie scenes ever.
aelishaful 1 year ago 2
another great unknown film was THE FLIM FLAM MAN with George C. Scott
These actors at this time were so good at their craft.!
sean57 1 year ago
A well-deserved Oscar to Mr. Lancaster. Unforgettable actor!
MrLiccoFernandes 1 year ago 2
That was amazing!
pickledpigsfeet 1 year ago
In many respects Lancaster was a comedian. His serious roles are usually way over the top, but here it was a perfect fit: he played the comedy as joyful and the serious as almost comic until Jean Simmons comes along: then cupids arrow blends it all into a grand mix. Except for a few scenes in Valdez, and a few moments in Eternity and even fewer in Devils Deciple he was never better: the amazing thing here is how perfect he is all the damn way through it. And what an ending.
doctornoooo 1 year ago
I haven't seen this movie for along time. I think
he is shoeless because he had to beat feet through a window with an angry husband with
a gun in persuit. Love his smile at the end when
he realizes the old charm has worked again.
ELLAWESCOTT 2 years ago
The most loveable scoundrel of all eternity.
thirdshift47 2 years ago
great movie moment. progressive for its time.
goldtogreysmoke 2 years ago
Burt Lancaster: when men were men and women were glad of it
tonyomagic 2 years ago 2
and apparently some men were glad of it too. Nisexual wasn't he?
blackonics 2 years ago
Comment removed
Tigo999nuevesito 2 years ago
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I watched the movie on TCM movies last night. Great message. Its not easy wanting to spread the word and falling short on some of the morals. Yet, this type of song reveals it all. It is a mighty hard climb, but I'm on my way. Great rendition. I found lyrics that are similar but not quite what is sang in the last 3 verses. Hope I can find it or I'll have to write it down and memorize it. It would be cool to have worship with this song at church. I may propose it to the worship leader.
Tigo999nuevesito 2 years ago
Comment removed
Tigo999nuevesito 2 years ago
if church was like this...I would go...
tumbledon 2 years ago
I love this footage!!
Rowoches 2 years ago 5
This is what brought all of us together. This is what is lost. For a single white man walking into an all black church. Yes the church brought out believes and strengths together. Now it is gone. The atheists have destroyed it. I fear the world that is already here.
MrDurcon 2 years ago
Don't attack atheists! Watch the movie. It's about humanity. I'm an agnostic atheist and I'm far more moral than the manipulative Gantry.
CromDubMonday 2 years ago
LOL I always loved how thin skinned atheist are.
MrDurcon 2 years ago
"That's the trouble with this stinking world. Nobody loves nobody."
Sigh. But seriously, watch the movie it's damn good. Or were you just here to be a jerk.
Get behind me, satan!
CromDubMonday 2 years ago
@MrDurcon
Projecting much ?
wsc1018 7 months ago
Can someone please send me the lyrics?
Thank You.
Ill be very glad.
TheKidFuryx 2 years ago
This is a great song! Burt sings with a wonderful baratone vocal that cuts through the mix of the congregation. Check out my blusey version of this old black spiritual.
tomlovato 2 years ago
Gloriuos!!!! Just Glorious!!!! AMEN
Glory Hallelujah!!!! I'm on my Way!!!!
Boxer
jarheadmuscle 2 years ago
This movie and esp. this scene (and when Lancaster starts singing this wonderful gospel at the end again) still makes me shiver.
One of the best directors on earth teamed up with the best actor from those long and sadly bygone days and turned one of the best novels ever written into a movie and ... the result is just fantastic, every minute of the well over 2 hours !! :-))) Seen it a couple of times and still can´t get enough of that story and that grin !!
wmjahn 2 years ago 14
I always loved and admired Burt but this segment sealed it for me. For years I'm returning and listening to this part, never having enough.
shawnnathy 2 years ago
Me, too !
I always watch ELMER GANTRY, when it runs on TV and when it doesn´t, I take out my VHS, which I cut from one of the airings. It´s a movie I tend to watch every app. 2 years, the best movie on religion in fact.
The whole cast is wonderful, but Burt really shines in this (in fact he shines in many movies he is in, what a great guy!)!!
wmjahn 2 years ago
Best actor from those days..uh yeah maybe. Gary Cooper died in 1960 so I guess Burt was the man. Never like Cary Grant.
blackonics 2 years ago 3
@wmjahn
I second that emotion! A powerhouse of a movie with outstanding direction, writing, cast & production values. One of the best screen adaptations of an American novel. THANKS for your insightful, perceptive & thoughtful comments! :-)
JubalCalif 1 year ago
I think this is the best role he ever played! He was awesome in this movie!
classicskier 2 years ago
fantastic
slimnick53 2 years ago
Amazing singing from great actor in a an outstanding film.
huta4ever 2 years ago
They dont make them like him any more!! What a guy!!
16329574 2 years ago
i thought a remake would be good too, but then i realized they would never do it justice... they would miss the magic.
eriklang12 2 years ago
It is unfair. Burt should be within the top ten.
nonocat76 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Is this when Hollywood started its "glorify Negroes" period. In reality, half a second after he set his bags down, they would have been stolen.
ScottfromTexas 3 years ago
Unless I'm mising something between the lines, that's one of the most Goddamned ignorant comments I've ever read. Less than 5 minutes earlier, white men on the train tried to kill him for his shoes, let alone his bags. I think you've got a lot of 'splainin to do, Lucy.
grabit1 2 years ago 3
Hollywood has some explaining to do - why do they portray Whites as criminals and glorify Negros.
ScottfromTexas 2 years ago
No mystery here. Texas.
winterfield55 2 years ago
Una de mis películas preferidas. Burt Lancaster está soberbio y demuestra el gran actor que es.
circulus 3 years ago
awesome singing! I love this movie and Burt Lancaster.
nocturnalspork 3 years ago
That's funny, because I can't watch it without thinking of Rudy Guiliani, John McCain, Newt Gingrich, Mark Foley, David Vitter, Larry Craig, Craig Livingston, Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Bakker, and Ted Haggard.
You know, people who lecture us on homosexuality and adultery, and then commit those very same acts.
Say what you will about Bill Clinton, I don't remember him making his career on being some sort of paragon of virtue. Which puts him one up on everyone I just listed.
cfbsolon 3 years ago
If homosexuality is so great then why are you so mad when people of the republican party do it also. shouldn't you be happy?
yoshi3329 2 years ago
Mad? Who is mad?
As a straight dude, I wish every other man in the world were gay...it'd make things much easier for me.
The issue is hypocrisy, not homosexuality.
CFBSolon4 2 years ago
Yes he was also my favorite actor.
He has a nice baritone way, he had also been a good singer after a good voice training
LYRICTENORHIGHF 3 years ago
Classic singing
whispperson 4 years ago
Beautiful Negro spiritual. I didn't know Burt Lancaster could sing so well. They surely do not make great cinema like this anymore. Check out "Jesus of Nazareth" for another great film!
graloth 4 years ago
they dont make movie like this anymore
powerliftingmama 4 years ago
This is a fantastic movie!
siaft 4 years ago
ND2525 - completely agree! Burt is just so good - he conveys both how Elmer can utterly charm those around him, and also the self-interest working away behind the charm. Seamless and completely captivating! =)
Llanita 4 years ago
Burt's last stanza of "Oh, I'm on my way" and his last slow smile has a subtle sinister air, with the double meaning of "I'm on my way" as foreshadowing.
ND2525 4 years ago 5
Great observation -- I totally agree.
cinnaplid 4 years ago
this is the best part of the movie - movie is too long
thboltx 4 years ago
Nobody is cooler than Burt Lancaster.
Oh how we need somebody cool like him now. Who can you compare him to now? Nicholas Cage? Kevin Costner, ugh *shudder*
drmayne 4 years ago