Elmer Gantry (Burt Lancaster) gives up his job as a salesman when he realises that he can make more money whipping up the hellfire and salvation as a preacher with a touring bible show. Everything starts out well, but when prostitute Lulu Bains (Shirley Jones) turns up with tales of the preacher's past, it's clear that Gantry is going to be in for a bumpy ride. Lancaster and Jones both won Oscars for their performances, as did Richard Brooks for Best Adapted Screenplay.