Elmer Gantry Page #6

was a Mason and a Protestant?

And every session of Congress

opens with a word

from the King James version of the Bible.

And right now, in our enlightened age,

a Catholic is running for president.

- Mr. Babbitt...

- And...

Mr. Babbitt!

Don't say another word.

George, I agree with you.

Please, John.

If revivalism can do the job...

Paul.

Zenith had a revival 40 years ago.

It saved everybody in sight for miles,

but today we still have

the same problems.

Please, John.

Please.

(Babbitt) Order, order. Now, now, now.

Gentlemen, if you'll only

leave the money matters to me.

Kee-rect!

(knocking at door)

- Welcome to Zenith, Sister.

- Congratulations. A wise decision.

Gentlemen, all your churches will be

closed while the revival is in progress.

- Great folks, aren't they?

- Swell, George, just swell.

When Sister Falconer says "Shake hands

for Jesus", the chorus starts singing.

- Brother Gantry...

- Just a sec. Ushers wear these badges.

The minute folks start comin' in,

you go into action.

Keep 'em movin'. Get pledge cards into

their hands, and don't forget the pencils.

Now, you counsellors, you'll wear

these lapel pennants. Pretty, eh?

German-speaking, hold up your hands.

Swedish-speaking? Fine.

Ask if they're regular church

members. Also, what church.

And it don't matter what church. Now,

some folks are gonna wanna cry. Let 'em.

"God is love. "

Jim-dandy, huh?

Well, that's it, I guess.

Tonight's the big night.

Are we gonna make a touchdown for

Jesus Christ? Any further questions?

- Brother Gantry...

- OK, then. At 7. 30, we hit the line.

God is love. Sister Sharon's sanctuary.

May I help you?

Yes, sir, that's right.

Every evening at 8. 30.

Yes, you may take a trolley car.

The line's 14th Street.

Yes. Yes, I understand.

Well, if you're lonesome and restless,

Sister Sharon recommends that

you read Psalm 23 or Psalm 27.

Do you know of a better

product to sell than God?

Uh, Sister, one more question.

- I'm sorry, what was that question again?

- I said...

Sister, in what branch

of the Church were you baptised?

Hold it, Sister!

Sister, I'm afraid you have a problem

with the fire department again.

- The fire department?!

- Bill!

- I've got the chief on the phone.

- Oh, Sister...

- Excuse me.

- . . could I just ask one more question?

What you'll be wearing

for the opening night?

You looked as if you had about enough

of "who, what, when, where".

Thank you.

May I have some water, please?

- You tired?

- Oh, these last two days.

The aspirin age.

Nervous about opening tomorrow night?

- I don't know.

- What about Gantry?

He's got all the nerve

in the world, but no nerves.

You want to know the truth?

I'm scared to death of you city people.

Don't be. The women will worship you,

and the men will love you.

And you?

I'll be there, too.

Good night.

Good night.

Just as sure as God plagued the earth

with pestilence and locusts,

you and I... to doom!

I tell you, the end of the world is comin'.

It's coming this September 15th!

- It says so in the Bible!

- Revivals are against organised labour!

(congregation sings "Marching to Zion")

(college boys sing

"The Star-Spangled Banner")

Hallelujah! The Lord's name be praised!

Stop it, you scallywags! Stop!

Come on, boys.

All right, the locomotive. Here we go.

(whistle) Boom!

(whistle) Boom!

- Sis-boom, Sister!

- Play Sister's introduction.

Sis-boom, Sister!

(band plays)

Captain Holt!

(# "The Battle Hymn of the Republic")

Arrest them. Arrest all of them.

I don't know who started the fuss inside.

The ones outside ain't breakin' any laws.

- First arrest them. Then we'll find out...

- I wouldn't do that.

You wanna start a riot?

Folks have gotta have

stretchin' room for their feelings.

Now, why don't you sit down

and get close to God? It'll be all right.

It's OK.

# Glory, glory, hallelujah

# Glory, glory, hallelujah

# His truth is marching on

# Glory, glory, hallelujah

# Glory, glory, hallelujah

- They're ready for you, Shara.

- You certainly promoted us into Zenith.

You certainly filled our tent,

didn't you? But with what?

You and your people.

Those aren't people. They're a mob.

They're one big animal. I'm not letting

Shara go out there to be humiliated.

And what's your plan? To run?

Where? Back to the sticks?

If we don't win them over tonight,

there'll be no place to run.

- Shara, you've got to face them.

- And do what? Blow them kisses?

Tell them all to be nice little boys

and girls? No, Gantry. No. No.

Zenith is your idea.

Those are your people. You face 'em.

They want Shara.

Listen to me, Shara.

Big-city people have got

a coat of hard varnish,

but underneath, they're just as sick

and scared as anybody else.

People everywhere are the same

in one thing - they're all afraid to die.

They hope you can save them.

And you can, Shara.

You can.

You can, Shara.

You can.

You can, Shara.

You can.

(college boys) Hip, hip, hooray!

Hip, hip, hooray!

Hip, hip, hooray!

(boys cheer)

(singing dies out)

Some of you are troubled.

Sceptical...

of my motives.

You want to know my credentials.

Who am I?

Who sent me?

Some of you have come

to sit in judgement of me.

But who among you is wise enough

to be a judge in the house of God?

For even though you speak with the

tongue of an angel and have not charity,

you are as sounding brass.

If I have sinned...

then God will punish me.

If I am lost in the wilderness,

then God will show me the way back.

Will you pray with me for guidance?

Will you?

God won't mind if you get

a little dirt on your knees!

(old man) I believe in you, Sister.

- Oh, bless you, brother.

- I believe in you, Sister.

(choir sings "What a Friend

We Have in Jesus")

No. No. No music.

Please. Please, no singing, no music.

Let us just pray.

Will you pray with me?

Dearest God...

Are you too proud to kneel, Mr. Lefferts?

You may not believe in God...

but God believes in you.

Dear God...

I am set upon by enemies

and I know not why.

The Lord has said "He that believeth

on me believeth not on me...

but on him that sent me. "

"And if any man hear my words

and believe not...

I judge him not.

For I came not to judge the world,

but to save the world. "

Now is my soul troubled.

But what shall I say?

Shall I say "Father, save me"?

But it is for this cause

that I came unto this hour.

- Dearly beloved...

- (congregation) Dearly beloved...

. . avenge not yourselves, for it is written...

. . for it is written...

- . . if thine enemy hunger...

- . . if thine enemy hunger...

- . . feed him.

- . . feed him.

- If he thirst...

- If he thirst...

- . . give him drink.

- . . give him drink.

- Be not overcome with evil...

- Be not overcome with evil...

. . but overcome evil with good.

. . but overcome evil with good.

Amen.

# Glory, glory, hallelujah

# His truth is marching on

(man) Hallelujah!

Hallelujah, Sister!

- Brother Gantry...

- Sister Rachel.

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