Handsome Preacher & Religious Business Woman vs. Jealous Hooker

[00:00:00] Speaker A: All right, that's it. We are on, and we are ready. I love it. It's always time for a great time with you guys. Hi, I am Moya. [00:00:12] Speaker B: And I'm Georgia. [00:00:14] Speaker A: And welcome to how Bette Davis saved my life. Life lessons from classic Hollywood. And we are so excited today that we have none other than who's our. Who's girl? Let's just get it started. Our man and our movie. Tell us about it, Georgia. [00:00:34] Speaker B: Burt Lancaster. If you have been following our podcast, you know that Moya and I have this mutual admiration society for Burt Lancaster. We love his movies, his acting, his physicality, his raw animal magnetism and masculinity. [00:00:52] Speaker A: Yes. Yes. Oh, my gosh, girl. Yes. That is so funny. I mean, um, yeah, we love Burt Lancaster here, and we ain't afraid to show it. Right, Georgia? [00:01:10] Speaker B: You got that right. [00:01:12] Speaker A: So, Georgia, you had not seen this movie, right? [00:01:16] Speaker B: No, I hadn't. [00:01:19] Speaker A: Okay, so just before we get too far into it, tell me, what did you think just off top? Because you and I were talking about looking at this movie in different. Different lenses, and so what did you just off top? What did you think about the movie? [00:01:43] Speaker B: I have two different ways of looking at the movie. The one is just from the sheer artistry of it as a movie. It had so much star power, and it was very well made and done. And, of course, it garnered three Academy Awards for. This was Burt Reynolds first and only Academy Award for best actor. [00:02:07] Speaker A: Lancaster. [00:02:09] Speaker B: Shirley Jones. Lancaster and Shirley. [00:02:15] Speaker A: Georgia Lancaster. [00:02:17] Speaker B: I'm sorry, who did I say? [00:02:18] Speaker C: Bert? [00:02:18] Speaker B: What? [00:02:19] Speaker A: Burt Reynolds. [00:02:20] Speaker B: I always do that. Burt Lancaster. I stand corrected. Burt Lancaster. Sorry, everybody. Okay. And then, of course, Shirley Jones garnered her Oscar for best supporting actress. And the writer and director Richard Brooks got his award for best screenplay. [00:02:36] Speaker A: Now, didn't they work together before, he and Brooks? [00:02:41] Speaker B: Um, I'm not sure about that. [00:02:43] Speaker A: Um, the swimmer, I believe. Richard Brooks, director, that. [00:02:48] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. Wow. [00:02:51] Speaker A: I think so. [00:02:55] Speaker B: Wow. [00:02:56] Speaker A: Yeah. I want to say yeah, because I'm almost out, and y'all can let us know in the comments if that's not correct. But, yeah, I think so. Go ahead. [00:03:07] Speaker C: Okay. [00:03:08] Speaker B: Well, and then there is another way of looking at this movie, and that is about the message that it's trying to portray to everybody. And if you're a person who is a believing Christian, you know, you could have some problems with it. This movie is about the growth of fundamentalist Christianity in the 1920s, and they made sure to film it then and not about contemporary american Christianity. So it's. There's. Yes, there's certainly modern day Elmer Gantry's among us, certainly. But that should not make you. [00:03:56] Speaker A: You. [00:03:57] Speaker B: Know, see or have any influence on the way you feel about your faith. And, of course, there are some people who feel that right now that some people see there's a war on Christianity and organized religion, and there's been a mocking of, you know, fundamentalist beliefs. Yeah. I also feel that, you know, religion, to me, is not hypocrisy. And, you know, they try to say that there's our sideshow spectacles, and it's about entertainment, and certainly in this movie, that's the way it's done. But I also feel that if you have, our country celebrates freedom of religion, but does that necessarily give people license to abuse other people's faith? [00:04:48] Speaker A: True. [00:04:52] Speaker B: Not all evangelists are corrupt, you know, despite what you see in movies. And I still found this movie so fascinating to watch, and I thought it was excellent work. And if this film might cause. My misgiving was if you're a casual viewer, you might become cynical about men and women of God. And so those are some of my feelings about the movie. [00:05:20] Speaker A: Okay. And the movie says that St. Clair Lewis was, in fact, an atheist. So I don't know how true that is, but, you know, I'll assume that that's true. But, you know, you might have to look at it through that lens as well, you know? So I. Well, instead of talking about us going on about it, let's look at a few clips. This is courtesy of to be where I actually saw it. It's on there for free. Hopefully we can show some of this, but we'll stop it and try to comment on it. So this is the first look at Elmer Gantry. Let's do this. So he's starting his spiel. He's in a ballroom, yucking it up and trying to. He's a salesman, a traveling salesman. This is like, all the stereotypes. And so he's juggling up with them, telling them jokes, trying to sell, trying to sell, trying to sell. And so here he goes. So some red cross type people come in collecting for, you know, what Red Cross did back then. This is set, like, in prohibition times, right? And so they're collecting. It was around Christmas time for the charities and the little children. And so Gantry is trying to drum up some coins for these people, and he does do that, but then he goes and you start seeing the first glimpses of his quote unquote, skills, if you will. And there are skills. So let's take a listen. [00:06:52] Speaker D: Jesus had love in both fists. And what is love? Love is the morning and the evening star. It shines on the cradle of the day. Hear ye, sinners. Love is the inspiration of poets and philosophers. [00:07:09] Speaker A: And you'll hear him spew this a lot throughout the movie. And look at this woman, just. She's a bar fly, y'all. That's an old term. But, you know, we. Look, man, those of us who used to hang out and be in the street, there's always that one chick or several, and like a barfly, just, you know, they stuck on that bar, you know, hustling drinks and. Man. And so here she is, child, and it's Christmas. You know how people get around Christmas. Sentimental, what have you. And she's hooked. So let's take a look. [00:07:39] Speaker D: Love is the voice of music. I'm talking about divine love, not carnal. [00:07:47] Speaker C: That was a beautiful sermon, parson you. [00:07:52] Speaker D: That reminds me, I gotta get old a little more. [00:07:57] Speaker A: And so, of course, Burt Lancaster. He's gorgeous. And, you know, so it don't help. It don't hurt, does it? Georgia, what do you think about. [00:08:05] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. The man can act with his hair and teeth alone. [00:08:09] Speaker A: That's a good one. [00:08:10] Speaker B: What a so hard tongue this man has. I mean, he is just mesmerizing from the very beginning. When you watch him and he just continues on, he absolutely dazzles on the screen. How many people command the screen like this, man? I mean, just absolutely amazing. [00:08:24] Speaker A: Right, right. And like I said, he ain't hard to look at on the eyes. And you'll see that come into play a lot with women that he encounters. So, of course, he picks up the lady. And so let's take a look at this scene where he's getting a call from his mom. And let's just share this screen. And what I'm going to show you, try not to show you everything, is we want you to see it for yourself, because this is a forgotten classic. All. For all the oscars it won. I kept saying they need to show this movie in every seminary, every church, college campus, because it just is just pregnant with just a commercialized religion. Beware. Beware. [00:09:10] Speaker D: Hello? Hello? Hello? Oh, hello, mom. Merry Christmas. Mi yell just a sec, mom. I just got back from church myself. [00:09:44] Speaker A: Yeah, you sure did. [00:09:46] Speaker D: How'd you like my present? You sure? Gee, that's funny. Well, maybe I got held up in the holiday rush. [00:09:53] Speaker A: Wow. [00:09:54] Speaker D: I just called up to wish you a merry Christmas, that's all. To tell you I love you. Don't start crying, ma. I know I promised, but I couldn't get away. I've been busy. Yeah. Business guaranteed and delivered. I'll be home next Easter. My absolute promise. [00:10:15] Speaker A: And so more. And I love how this movie lays out the character and just all the characters, how it just builds, and for the 2 hours that it's on, it doesn't seem like it, you know? So what did you think about this scene and just the character building of it all? [00:10:34] Speaker B: It gives you such an insight into how he manipulates and how he is just not truthful at all. It kind of has a poignancy to it, you know? Boy, but I tell you, he's just a charmer. He just uses his charm on everybody. [00:10:59] Speaker A: Right, right. And so after that scene, he. There were a series of misfortunate events, you know? Cause this is the depression time as well. So people, it shows everything. People, hobos riding the rails and, you know, the trains and such, you know, people, it's just, you know, we all. We should know what the Depression, the Great Depression was about. And so this guy, he's a hard scrabble life, so series of misadventures. And I. If I have time, I'll go back to the scene in the black church and Rex Ingram, the great Rex Ingram plays the preacher, and we know him from pre cold times. And a little further. And he played the genie in the thief of Baghdad, I think the second one. But he's been in so many great films with Cary Grant and just musicals. So he plays a preacher. When he, Elmer lands up, he literally has no shoes. Walked in shoeless to this black church. They help him get on his feet. So now he has this God awful suit on that he got from wherever it might be. His suit, I don't know. But he, there's flyers of Sister Falconer, and that's Jean Simmons role. And she is based on Amy Semple McPherson from back in the day, who was like one of the first before Billy Graham. And everybody we know now, successful evangelist, traveling evangelists, have these revivals in these big tents and everything. So Elmer goes there, kind of intrigued by her, so he goes there. And so he's where she is in his town. And so he's gone to one of the come to Jesus meetings under the tent. Georgie, you want to say anything about that before I show the clip? [00:12:41] Speaker B: No, but when you were talking about Rick Sangram, I thought, oh my gosh, I wish we'd had more screen time with him, because I just love him as an actor. And his personality. [00:12:50] Speaker A: Yeah. Just that powerful, powerful, booming voice and his presence. So. Okay, so here's his first encounter with sister Sharon. [00:13:22] Speaker D: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Welcome to the house of God. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the middle sword. We have loosed the faithful lightning. [00:13:44] Speaker A: Can you imagine, like, the budget for these? I don't know if these extras were volunteers. They got paid, but I wondered, I was trying to see if they were recycling, quote unquote, the congregation. The same people. They may have, but it was just. The extras in here were just. It was just a lot. I was taken aback by that. [00:14:04] Speaker B: You know, they tend to get people who are, like, a little bit older and they look a little bit needy. And I think that they, in a way, it shows these people as sympathetic people and very honest and real. [00:14:20] Speaker A: Right. And considering the times people were so hopeless and downtrodden because of the economic times, World War one was not that far removed, and America was not what it is today, for better or for worse. But economically speaking, for better or for worse. It was not what it was opportunity. It was very limited, a class system, not like european class system, but there was a class. Well, true, they have and have nots, and there was really no middle class like we have now. That's shrinking. But either you were dirt poor, and a lot of these towns were agricultural towns, and these were hardscrabbled people, farmers and stuff. And so I'll finish playing it, but just try to get the mindset to what Georgia said, the look and feel of these people. And Georgia, you're absolutely right of the terrible. [00:15:11] Speaker D: Beside these two days marching on. [00:15:17] Speaker A: Glory. [00:15:18] Speaker D: Glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah glory, glory, hallelujah his truth is marching on. [00:15:37] Speaker A: Okay, Georgia, first impressions of. Should I let it play some more, or can you already give me first impressions of what's going on here? [00:15:46] Speaker B: Oh, I would be happy to. So she tries to be this, like, person of the people here. And this is one of the most interestingly drawn characters, because to me, she is such a complete opposite to his style. She is a quite quiet and gentle, more prayerful kind of a person, whereas he preaches fire and brimstone and he's all razzle dazzle. And she is this angelic preacher. But on the other hand, she is also a shrewd businesswoman. And you see her at times as a carefree girl and a woman in love. And she was a very complicated personality. She was both this virgin dedicated to God. But then she. There's a scene where she, to me, is very telling, but very subtle. She empties the sand out of her high heel after. [00:16:39] Speaker A: Yeah, imma go ahead. I'm gonna get to that. [00:16:40] Speaker B: Not on the beach, shall I say? [00:16:42] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, we'll get to that in a second. And to your point, I'm gonna fast forward so Elmer tries to meet her at the meeting. Of course, it doesn't work. And you see, he's changed. Well, let me just share the screen. That did not work. And he changed out of that Sweetwater suit and insurance man shoes to a slightly hair better Sweetwater suit and insurance man shoes. And so he could try to look somewhat presentable. And so he tried this as his second attempt to meet her. And to your point, about her being a shrewd businesswoman, and she is just as fast talking as he is. So let's take a look at that. [00:17:28] Speaker D: Terrific idea. [00:17:29] Speaker C: Nature. Good morning, captain. [00:17:31] Speaker D: Can't erect that tent here, ma'am. Not in this town. [00:17:34] Speaker C: Why not? [00:17:35] Speaker D: Fire laws. [00:17:36] Speaker C: Nonsense. [00:17:37] Speaker D: No, ma'am. No nonsense at all. No, ma'am. [00:17:39] Speaker C: Ma'am is a contraction for madam. I am not a madam. A caliber of woman. Captain, I'm sure you know well and do business with. How many of your madams have been put out of business by fire laws? [00:17:49] Speaker D: Your tent holds more than a thousand people. City ordinances. [00:17:51] Speaker C: By the way, captain, this is Mister Lefferts now, miss, for the Zenith Times dispatch. [00:17:55] Speaker D: Zenith. Welcome, sir. Welcome. This here is Fire Chief Jackson. [00:17:58] Speaker C: Mister Lefferts. That the whiskey big shots want me closed down. [00:18:01] Speaker D: Well, they certainly don't think you're doing their business any good now. [00:18:04] Speaker C: Why, captain? Because I'm not afraid to fight whiskey and repeal with the help of the police or without it. [00:18:09] Speaker D: If you're accusing me of that. [00:18:10] Speaker C: Exactly what I'm doing. Do you enforce prohibition? [00:18:13] Speaker D: I certainly do. [00:18:14] Speaker C: How many speakeasies could you take? [00:18:16] Speaker A: And I think this gentleman playing the police officer is the voice of. Is it Tony the tiger? He does. He does. A voice of a very popular pop culture character. I think it's Tony the tiger. But I could be wrong. I could be wrong. Could be wrong. Oh, I have to see what his name is. Take the captain, and if you know in the comments, please let us know. [00:18:41] Speaker C: Until right here in his hometown without a membership. [00:18:44] Speaker A: And we didn't talk about this gentleman. Kennedy, is it? What's his first name? Edward Kennedy. [00:18:50] Speaker B: Yes. [00:18:51] Speaker A: Okay, let's talk about him for a quick second. I'll let this play and then we'll talk about him in a second. [00:18:57] Speaker C: Kern, 50 fire laws. Do you see any of my workmen smoking. Do you mind? This might start a fire. [00:19:05] Speaker D: Well, of course, if they're not going. [00:19:06] Speaker C: To smoke inside, I'd like to see for yourself. Dots want me closed down. [00:19:10] Speaker D: Well, they certainly don't think you're doing their business any good now. [00:19:14] Speaker C: Why, captain? Because I'm not afraid to fight whiskey and repeal with the help of the police or without it. [00:19:18] Speaker D: If you're accusing me of it, that's. [00:19:20] Speaker C: Exactly what I'm doing. Do you enforce prohibition? [00:19:22] Speaker D: I certainly do. [00:19:24] Speaker C: How many speakeasies could you take the captain to right here in his hometown. [00:19:27] Speaker D: Without a membership card? 50. [00:19:30] Speaker C: Fire laws. Do you see any of my workmen smoking? Do you mind? This might start a fire. [00:19:36] Speaker D: Well, of course, if they're not going. [00:19:37] Speaker C: To smoke inside, I'd like to see for yourself tonight. A little bit of salvation will do you both some good. [00:19:45] Speaker D: Sister Sharon. [00:19:46] Speaker A: Sister Sharon and Honey, she did that. She shut them all the way down. So, see, she. You start to see these. She and Gantry are kindred spirits on some level. But let's talk about Kennedy's character, Lefferts. I think he's the reporter and a pr person who's following her around. He's an atheist. He's an evolutionist, which is a fairly new train of thought that's getting into the mainstream of America at this time. Tell me what you thought about his character, Georgia. [00:20:18] Speaker B: His character to me was so interesting because he felt that he had a very grudging but yet honest relationship, the way he looked at them. You know, even though Elmer Gantry and him could be seen as enemies from different camps and different philosophies, he was so he tried to be really very respectful. And so that's really what I liked. I mean, he tried to be one of these muck raking kind of expose journalists, but I felt, you know, he, in some ways, I think he kind of embodies the point of view of the filmmakers. That's the way I looked at him. [00:21:01] Speaker A: Okay. Okay. I can definitely see that. So he was kind of a jiminy cricket, I guess, of the movie, so to speak, you know, except for he was cynical and he was an atheist and everything, but. So this movie, to me, represents him that the person who thinks like him, the cynic and the atheist and whatever else you want to throw in there. And of course, the christians, the true believers, the conservatives. Then you got the hellfire and brimstone believers. Then you got the God is love, and Jesus loves everybody. And God loves everybody, you know, that type of thing. Then you have the charlatans the grifters as well. And then you'll see later on some christian orthodoxy and conservativism. When they try to hit the big time. And we'll get to that in a second. So Elmer is now trying to sell Sharon Sister Faulkner on his idea after seeing her in action. So let's take. Gonna take a look at that and see to how he weasels. And weasels is the right word. How he weasels his way into actually her outfit, as they say. So let's take a look at that and have a listen. [00:22:23] Speaker D: Sister Sharon, never in all my born days did I ever see anybody handle the cops the way you do. [00:22:28] Speaker C: All right, brother Gantry, what's this terrific idea you woke up with this morning? [00:22:31] Speaker D: Yes, well, how would it be if I addressed your revival meeting as a saved businessman? I could talk on the good, hard, practical dollars and cents value of Christ in commerce. [00:22:42] Speaker C: I'm slacking off on that rope. It's too tight. By the way, what is your business, Holder? [00:22:47] Speaker A: So she ain't even trying to hear that. So she already knows. And she's probably been approached by so many people with the same foolishness, you know, and. But I also find in this scene, you know, how protective she is that she should be of her business. Cause that's what it is. [00:23:03] Speaker D: Sister Yorakar. I sell for central appliances. [00:23:06] Speaker C: Don't you like your job? [00:23:07] Speaker D: Why, sure. It's a great life. And they're crack salesmen. Only last month they wanted to make me a junior partner. Would you believe it? People in 14 states call me by my first name. Elmer. No use kidding you, is that. [00:23:24] Speaker A: And see, this is why Lancaster was nominated and won. Because, of course, we can hear the music, you know, setting the tone of the conversation of the scene. But look how he just transitions and turns into a little boy. Cause he knows she's not buying and she's seeing through him. That's just perfect acting. [00:23:44] Speaker D: There's no life at all. Filthy, dreary hotel rooms, always chasing trains. Always telling dirty stories to keep the buyers laughing. Always the pint bundle to prove you're a sport. That kind of fella's no success at all. He's just a tramp in a silk shirt. Well, I could tell the sinners I'm a. I'm a salesman. [00:24:14] Speaker A: And look, he's always selling, ain't he? I give it to him. Just bore me a weasel. [00:24:21] Speaker D: Just like that. I come into one of the miserable hotel rooms. I'm discouraged. I got no sales to chalk up, nothing to read. I'm lonely. I'm just dying for a drink. Some of them salesmen drink something terrible. And I reach my hand into a dresser drawer, and what do I find? A Gideon Bible. That's what I find. [00:24:48] Speaker C: Please go on. [00:24:53] Speaker A: So. [00:24:54] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. [00:24:55] Speaker A: So, Georgia, what do you think? So I'm gonna go it on to where he actually puts this into fruition. Bless you, Brother Gary. [00:25:02] Speaker D: Some of them smart alecky cookies. [00:25:03] Speaker A: He actually goes and come to Jesus church meeting. Oh, hear that? [00:25:09] Speaker D: The law. My hand into address. You hear that? The law? [00:25:13] Speaker A: The law is. [00:25:15] Speaker D: The next morning, I walked into a general store. What are you selling today, Elmer? Some gold plated vacuum cleaners? No, sir, I said, you can get better vacuum cleaners at Sears and Roebuck, and you can get them cheaper, but you can't beat our electric toasters at any price. And the man sat down and wrote me the biggest order of the year. [00:25:32] Speaker A: Hallelujah. [00:25:33] Speaker D: Can you hear me, Lord? Thank you, Lord. I didn't make that sale, Lord, you did. Thank you. [00:25:40] Speaker A: And, girl, this is so frightening to me, because this same bull. I mean, the exact same. That's why this should be shown to seminary students and professors. I mean, it's the same b's that these people are doing. They may have seen. I'm not gonna name any names, but if I name. But I can name. Look, y'all remember the PTL scandal? I'm gonna go. Look. I'll pull it up. You remember that? Praise the Lord, Jim Baker. And all of them, rest in peace. [00:26:05] Speaker B: Yes, I do. There was Jimmy Swagger. [00:26:08] Speaker A: Jimmy Swagger. Yes, ma'am. You remember all that? Yes. [00:26:11] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. I sure do. [00:26:12] Speaker A: And so I was like, shoot, maybe they saw this and say, hey, instead of having the opposite, the opposite. Let's take a picture real quick at this. Oh, wow. Okay, I'm gonna just share the screen for right now. Let me see. Share this just real quick. So, this was all people could talk about back in the day. So this is Jim Baker and Tammy Faye, and they just did a movie a couple of years ago with the eyes of Tammy Faye or something like that. And I kind of felt sorry for Tammy Faye a little bit, because I think a lot of people start out with good intentions. Like they say, that's where the road to hell is paved. But. And maybe really believing in such. Um. But as we'll see in this movie, you know, things get. Get convoluted. But anyway, so Tammy Faye. And this is the broad who brought it down, baby. Jessica Hahn. And so I guess you could go to this YouTube, not the good girl. And go look at this. But yes, he was having an affair with this lady who, she was a church secretary. Wasn't that Georgia, am I right? [00:27:34] Speaker B: I believe so. [00:27:35] Speaker A: Church secretary. And he was taking the funds and from PTL. So let me see heritage. Let me see if they have any images of this child. He was making a. Not now. He was making like a Disneyland for. Let's see. Let's look at this for christians. Okay. It won't come off or whatever that is, but let's see. So just go look that up, man. It was crazy. What's this one? Let's see if I can find this one. Okay, so I think it was in. Oh, they don't have the right pictures. But anyway, let me share this one. So I don't know if they have a bigger picture. But yeah, it was like a Disneyland. And it had it, I mean, it got it open, all this kind of stuff, but it got in all kind of financial trouble. It was embezzlement. And then he got found with the church secretary and him and Jimmy Swaggart in New Orleans, Louisiana was on, we call it the highway hookah, but down there with some hookahs. It was crazy. So they should have saw Elma Gantry or maybe they did. George, I don't know what you think. [00:28:52] Speaker B: They shouldn't have used it as a playbook or tutorial. [00:28:55] Speaker A: You're supposed to align stuff, but everybody think they smarter, the smartest person in the room, you know? So go look all that up. That, man, when that burst out, that was crazy. Wasn't that the crazy time in America? Cause you had the religious right and they were rising high, you know, and the Republicans who had aligned themselves with that, and it was fake, but they had aligned themselves with all that stuff. And so America really felt just the moral right, they called it. It just crashed, and we haven't really recovered from that. And Georgia, do you remember that time? Because I know I was a kid. I'm just. [00:29:29] Speaker B: I do. There was a huge voting and powerful voting bloc called the moral majority. [00:29:35] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:29:36] Speaker B: And so when you had scandals like this that broke out. Yeah. Not only was it such a fall from grace, but a lot of people started to distrust organized religion. And then there was also, you know, in many other ways, too. I mean, the Catholic Church, some things came out about them. So it was a lot of upheaval going on in America at this time when it came to religion. [00:30:00] Speaker A: Yes, yes. And it was just, it was just really, really, really sad and just, you know, using Jesus and the word of God for their own gain. This has been going on since the beginning of time with, you know, you can go in the Bible, Simon, a sorcerer who wanted the power of the apostles for himself and just, you know, go read that. And according to the story, I mean, just. Anyway, I'm getting all. Sorry, but yeah, man, they've been doing this for a minute. So I just want to show you one of the famous scenes where, where he really sells his, uh, he just really sells whatever b's he peddling on. But this is a really famous scene from this movie, if you will. But he's getting the people all in a religious fervor, whipping them up and, and they dig it, man. And again, Elma Gangster came out in 1960 and, and that is the height. And it's so funny, it came out because the zeitgeist, because when was the book written, Georgia, do you know? [00:31:03] Speaker B: 1927. [00:31:04] Speaker A: Okay, so it's kind of towards the end of prohibition and all this kind of stuff. Well, I think prohibition was. No, it hadn't been repealed yet when it got repealed in 32 or 31. Cause it was around for about twelve years, I believe. But it was on a cusp of that. But when this movie came out, we're on a cusp of the age of Aquarius, the counterculture, ripping his head up. So this movie was just timely, don't you think? [00:31:36] Speaker B: It sure was. It really was. Yeah. [00:31:39] Speaker A: So let's see him really sell it. [00:31:42] Speaker D: Of the eternal glorious music maker. [00:31:44] Speaker A: And that's Patti Page, a famous singer back in those times and stuff. She had a beautiful voice and he kind of finessed her to get his way closer to, to Sharon Faulkner. And so, you know, he's a use and discard type person. But anyway, look at her. She just, she is in love. [00:32:01] Speaker D: Love. Not the karma, the divine love. And where does this great love come from? It comes direct from God. I admit I'm not smart like some of them. Some of them smart alecky professors, wise guy writers and agitators. I don't know the first thing about theosophy, philosophy, psychology, ideology or any other ology, but I know this. With Christ you're saved and without him you're lost. And how do I know there's a merciful God? Because I've seen the devil plenty of times. [00:32:56] Speaker A: So, yeah, that's a real famous scene. And that probably helped win an Oscar as well, besides this. So Burt Lancaster was a really physical person. He did all his stunts for the most part. [00:33:08] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, he did, you know, because he was a circus performer and, you know, he did a movie, trapeze, where he did all of his own. [00:33:16] Speaker A: I love that movie. [00:33:17] Speaker B: So, yeah, his background is really so much a part of his acting. And I for one, love it. [00:33:26] Speaker A: Absolutely. And it just makes, I think for him, it made it more authentic for him and to do those stunts. And you'll see later on there's a really. He's doing some dangerous stunts with fire, but nevertheless, he's doing it. So I'm gonna fast forward to Elmer manages to. And I gotta give a backstory. Elmer tells Sharon when he's trying to get next to her, when he sitting next to her on a train, and he managed to get sitting next to her about the backstory about him and Lulu, girl named Lulu. So hold on to that because that's gonna play a part further down the line. But anyway, so Elmer manages to get her to the big time, a city called Zenith. And you're going to recognize that we see it. This movie set has been used so many times, like in Andy Griffith and so many different movie scenes. I'll see if you can audience, if you can spot this movie set that is the town of Zenith when they have this big parade and all that, if we get to see it. But anyway, so this meeting is with the town pastors of Zenith and Georgia. I just want to say to me, the movie, I could have just parked right here on the movie. Let me share my screen because I said, this is the embodiment of commercialized organized religion, especially evangelical or christian religion in America. It has been bought, sold and packaged and commercialized in the gospel and the Holy Spirit and the truth of Jesus ministry. And the Bible has just been sucked out of it. So just take a listen to again, these are the ministers. And so Sharon and Gantry and more, they're all meeting because they want to have a revival here. And the ministers are all about. Okay, hey, what's in it for us? Okay, which is sad, but here we go. So we'll. And so this gentleman here, and of course, his name escapes when he was out. Almost said it. What's his name? George. He was in all about Eve. Oh, gosh. And tell us in the comments, I cannot remember what his name is, but he has like a little Richard something. I almost said it, but yeah, he has a big role in here. And Dean Jagger plays more. There's a lot of good stars in here. And this gentleman, he's been in everything. Of course, I can't think of his name. If you know the game. Put in the comments. But this is a scene with the old, greedy pastors, and we have one voice. There's always one voice crying in the wilderness. Okay, let's listen. [00:35:53] Speaker D: I always say, business is business. That's the american way. Now, you voice it. Why do you want a revival in Zenith? Oh, I know what you're getting at, Phil. [00:36:03] Speaker A: You don't fool me for a Hugh Marlowe. I think his name is this joke. Yeah, and this is Dean Jagger, who plays another Oscar winner. Not for this movie, but something else, I think. 12:00 high or something like that. [00:36:14] Speaker D: Mister Babbitt. Reverend, I think we're all aware of the church's financial problems. Are we aware, sir? My church hasn't been. [00:36:20] Speaker A: Now, a little trivia. Sinclair Lewis, he wrote the movie. I'm sorry, the book, I believe, or store. Babbitt. And that's funny, I just realized that the guy. And he's been in everything, too, with the glasses and a gray suit. His name is Babbitt. [00:36:34] Speaker C: So? [00:36:34] Speaker A: And I saw that movie, Babbitt. Do you know that movie? Have you seen that before? Georgia Babbitt? [00:36:38] Speaker B: No. [00:36:39] Speaker A: Okay, I have to look it up, but I've seen it. It's been years ago. I have to see what it is. So there's a lot of little Easter eggs in here and little nuggets of trivia. [00:36:46] Speaker D: Independent for eight years. Now, whose fault is that? What about the gymnasium I was promised? In my part of town, getting milk for the children is the problem. Your problem is empty churches, gentlemen. That's your problem is a fact. Well, the unpleasant fact is the church attendance is falling off everywhere, gentlemen. Yes, and Sister Falconer can fill your churches, and that's why you're here in the first place, isn't it? Key rect de. Mister Bevan. I always say, if you're sick, call a doctor. I agree. Now, let's. Let's look at the record, gentlemen. Sister Sharon has been in Lincoln this is going on the fifth week now. 275 new church members in one church alone. My church. More than 2700 decisions for Christ, gentlemen. Actual converts who sign pledges. Not our statistics, but printed in your own zenith newspaper and written up by Jim Leffert, a Pulitzer Prize winner. Does the record show how long your converts remain church members? Well, I always say, when in doubt, take action. Let's vote. Second the motion. All in favor? Aye. Just a moment, please. You're out of order. There's a motion on the floor. [00:37:57] Speaker C: May I say something, please? [00:37:59] Speaker D: You have our undivided attention, sister. [00:38:02] Speaker C: Wouldn't it be a much happier world if money was not the third arm of religion. Reverend Brown can paint his church. You can't have your gymnasium. No child should be without milk. And my expenses are high enough to run a factory. I practically do run a factory. Who do you think pays for my staff? The musicians, the workers who put up the tent, truck transportation, railroad fares, food bills, advertising and printing bills, electric bills, insurance bills, hotel bills. The church committees always expect a generous contribution from me, and they always get it. And when I leave your town five weeks later, you get the benefit. You have the flock, and I have to stop all over again. No, gentlemen, you don't want a revival, and I'm afraid you don't want me, either. [00:39:02] Speaker A: All right, tell me what you think about that scene. [00:39:06] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. That is so telling. But, you know, the me churches, you know, even though they're non profits, yes, they have expenses. And, you know, we hate the business side of it. And she mentions it. We hate it, but it's there. And they all, you all see that each one of them have their own interests in that scene. They're all looking for a way to keep their churches going. And they're looking at her as like the goose that laid the golden egg. She's trying to tell him, you know, when I leave, you're going to get this benefit. But me, I. Every time I go to a new city, I start all over again. [00:39:43] Speaker A: Right. [00:39:44] Speaker B: And, yeah, it shows. Yeah, the money side is, like, outweighing the spiritual side about how many people who, you know, they bring to, like, have a personal relationship with the Lord that takes a backseat. It becomes secondary. [00:40:02] Speaker A: Yeah. I couldn't have said it better. And it's just. It's how things are done. So that's one piece of how things are done. And we saw the Hugh Marlowe character, the voice, the only voice crying in the wilderness, you know, the voice of dissension, said, hey, this isn't right. This is shady, why we're doing this. And you see what happens to him. And, like, now. So it's all political. That's what else is so sad. And ruling by committee, you know, not buy, like you said, georgia, what's best for the people. So let's take a look at this next clip. And so let me just tell you what. What has transpired. So they never, needless to say, they go and they go head on and let her in the scene. I'm just trying to move ahead. They have a big parade and all that. So they let her. They're gonna back her being there. You know, Elmer's fast talking, so they think it's a good idea to let her be there, to welcome her with a parade and all this stuff. Babbitt, he is going to back her adventure venture, rather. And so they have the revival. But then Leffert's the reporter, kennedy's character. He writes a scathing expose about what he believes is going on, that he just basically call these people charlatans and grifters, and so then Gantry and go look at it, because Gantry really, he should have been a minister. And backstory. He was in ministry at miniature school, but then he met Lulu, so he tells half truths, and he got put out of the ministerial school, and Lulu's dad, I believe, was the dean or something. He threw her out and caused her to go down a path that she did. And then Gantry didn't try to save her, and he's all. Every man for himself. So they all went their separate ways, and he's down these dark paths. But Gantry challenges left for us. He said, you're throwing all this scripture and Bible in Falconer's, Sharon's face, but you don't believe any of that stuff. You don't believe Jesus is divine or a God or whatever, so why are you the thing. You're using the thing, and it's really a lesson in apologetics as well. Why are you using the thing you don't believe to condemn somebody, so you're a hypocrite. It's almost insane to do something like that, so. But the media, Georgia, I found this was a reflection on the power the media used to have on the narrative. Did you find that story as well? Because everybody jumped ship once he wrote that scathing article, and to me, it was just a really strong commentary on the power the media had back then, and they just don't have it as much as they have now. Did you see that story kind of lurking in that as well? [00:42:56] Speaker B: I did, because. Because of what they said, a person who was. He was like a hero to them, and because of what they wrote in the press, all of a sudden, he was a pariah. I mean, they were totally against him because of the power of what the press did and the article that was written about him. So, yeah. And. Well, yes, there is some interesting, how shall I say, some blackmail that comes into this. Well, yeah, that's what we're getting also used. [00:43:25] Speaker A: Yes. So that's. I'm glad you said that. Perfect girl. We on the same wavelength. So let's look at this. Because we're seeing now that blackmail runs everything. Somebody who shall rename, who shall remain nameless, kind of steen epsay and Steen Weissay. That's what. Trying to talk in cold, but. And we're seeing now with any day the blackmail that runs this country and business and politics, it is disgusting. But we're going to see that this ain't nothing new. So let me just set this up. He goes on his crusade because he's riding high gantry, and he runs into Lulu, as a matter of fact, at the local brothel. But he's. Well, I think I'm getting ahead of myself, so let me just play this. So he's going to confront Babbitt about pulling back the funds for the revival. Okay, so here we go. Music by Andre Previn. [00:44:55] Speaker D: Goodnight, George. I'm busy. I had a busy day myself. 736 Lombard street. Two story building. Owner, George F. Babbitt. Tenant, speakeasy. I don't know what you're talking about. Of course. [00:45:07] Speaker A: Of course. [00:45:08] Speaker D: 1121 Maple street. Storefront apartment and rear owner, George F. Babbitt. Business, prostitution on my property. Well, I'll have them evicted, of course. You've been victimized, George, same as me. Yeah. Evening, boys. Never been into an open pair unless you've got the lock. Say good night, judge. [00:45:42] Speaker B: Womp womp. [00:45:43] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh. It's so sad. You have to fight fire with fire. They are all snakes and weasels, and you gotta do it, or you not playing. If you not cheating, you ain't trying, as the old saying goes. Georgia. He did that. He did that. I thought I laughed so hard. I was like, yes. I don't condone the whole shebanga bang, but, I mean, he knows these people are. They ain't nothing either. You know, he knows they're fake. He's fake, and he knows they're fake, so he got to get them where they live. [00:46:16] Speaker B: That's right. You can't kid a kidder, right? [00:46:19] Speaker A: And it's just. It's just sad. It's just really sad. So, like I said, he goes on his crusade, and we're in the New Testament, and. And so this is where he confronts Lefferts on the article, and, like I said, gives, really a good case study and apologetics, but I'm. Well, you can't say that. But I'm gonna breeze on by that, and I just want to show you. So now he takes. So he's already seen, you know, he knows Lulu is in that town. And now sister Sharon is going to take Gantry to show her, show him her dream. Now, I skipped that part, but she, man, she was getting haw haw Kojalis after he told Jim Leffords where to get off at. And Jim Leffords, they agreed to equal airtime pay for Babbitt. So go watch that scene, because it's hilarious how Babbitt just rolls over and shows his belly. And so Babbitt's now gonna not only finance the revival, but now he's gonna pay even more money to finance radio time for Gantry and them to put, push their cause ahead. And the newspaper and the radio, they're gonna pretty much backtrack or back off of that story. But anyway, she's showing him, you know, so they were riding the car. She's, man, she's, like, elated. She's kissing all over him, saying, yeah, we did it, baby, and all this kind of stuff. And like I said, in the interest of time, I'll, you know, go back and look at it as on tv for free. But she really shows who she is, doesn't she, Georgia? [00:48:00] Speaker B: Yeah, she does. And another level, you know, I really was fascinated by the fact that if she's been rebuffing his advances, but she still admires his carnality. [00:48:10] Speaker A: Yes. [00:48:12] Speaker B: So you see so much happen there. [00:48:13] Speaker C: She. [00:48:14] Speaker B: She's thrilled at what he's been able to do. [00:48:17] Speaker A: Yes. And so when. [00:48:18] Speaker B: Go ahead. You're right. They're so similar, Moya, like you pointed out, they're very similar on one level, on one plane. You know, they're all about, you know, bringing this, keeping the show going. [00:48:31] Speaker A: Yes, yes. And she's like, a lot of, unfortunately, I'm just saying, I'm gonna break the girl code. A lot of women, they don't want you. They wanna, they appreciate your masculinity. A man on his tenacity when it's for their benefit. But if he tries to shine on them or stand up for himself. Oh, no, no, no. And they want you to be their attack dog. Okay. And, you know, that's a whole other conversation, but, yeah, so, and she, like I said, she rebuffs him when he, when she starts letting her hair down, so to speak, and he said, man, I'll be burning for you. And I was like, you know what? They had nothing to do with no. Jesus. I love her backstory. She kind of gives her a backstory. We'll see that scene. But she know she's an undercover wild girl, and she don't. She don't want to let loose. Cause, you know. So let's look at this scene, because this is gonna tell you. This is very telling about her and who she is and why she was really driving her, so to speak. So let me just get this together, and then you tell us, audience, what you think. [00:49:37] Speaker C: Turn on the lights, please. There. That's what I've been working for. No more tents. No more running around like a circus. No more haggling with God committees. My own tabernacle. A permanent home. A clinic for sick bodies. A free soup kitchen. A place of worship for everybody of every face. That's my first love. [00:50:31] Speaker A: Now, Georgia, what do you think is going on in his mind? They show him looking at her. What do you think's going on in his mind? [00:50:44] Speaker B: I think he is just very struck by the goal that she's been striving for. And then how she seems like this to her is, like, more important than anything else. That's what she's been striving for all along. And I. And I think he's just really taken with the fact that this has been what she. She wants more than anything. And he realizes it. [00:51:10] Speaker A: Okay. Yeah, I can see that. And let's go a little bit more into the scene. And then I want to get your take on that. [00:51:18] Speaker C: What have you got to match that? [00:51:20] Speaker A: Well, nothing. [00:51:24] Speaker D: Nothing at all. I'm just a hick from Kansas, and you're a real class. [00:51:28] Speaker A: And I think he realizes that she really believes. Cause I don't think he thought that until she showed him her dream. And I think he's looking at him like, man, she really believes this, too. That's what I got out of it, too. [00:51:45] Speaker C: The only class I've got is the name Falconer. That's why I picked it. I'm Katie Jones from Shantytown. That's right. [00:51:58] Speaker A: And look, Amy Simpson. So this movie, in a way, George, is connected to our queen, Bette Davis. Do you know how? [00:52:08] Speaker B: No, I don't. [00:52:09] Speaker A: Okay, so, audience, let us know in the chat or in the comments, but I'm gonna spill the beans. Bette Davis and Faye Dunaway did a movie about Amy Semple McPherson. And I cannot remember that. It might have been sister Amy. I don't remember. Anyway, and this is where the movie. Where Bette Davis just. Just eviscerated Faye Dunny Wade. She could not stand her because of her unprofessionalism. And go, you go look that up. But, Amy, you know, a lot of people believe that Amy McPherson was a charlatan, fake or whatever. You know, what have you. And so when she said, my real name is Katie Jones, and I think Amy McPherson had an alias as well. I can't remember. It's been a while. But, yeah, y'all let us know, man. So. Cause it's definitely modeled after her shanty Tom. [00:53:01] Speaker C: But does that make a liar out of me? I am Sharon Falconer now. I've made her. I've put her together piece by piece till I've got a right to be her. I am her. I started building this tabernacle two years ago. [00:53:15] Speaker A: So what do you think when she says that, like, the audience, what is your take on it? And what do you think the audience takes when she says, I'm Katie Jones? I made Falconer. What do you think the people were thinking at that point? [00:53:30] Speaker B: I had a hard time buying this scene because she doesn't play. Like, maybe it's because she seems a little bit too british or a little something. For me, I had a hard time buying the Katie Jones being her real name. And, I mean, I could. I could see how she, from an acting sense, but I could see how she would have to create this person who people would trust in, who's maybe, I guess, if she was too simple or too, like, you know, countryside people wouldn't have got. They wouldn't have accepted her. [00:54:10] Speaker A: So. [00:54:11] Speaker B: So she had to build this Persona. I had kind of a hard time with that, to be perfectly honest. But to get back to Amy Semple McPherson, I read something that the actor Anthony Quinn said, and he said she had soup kitchens going. He said, my family and I went in and we ate there. And he goes, if it wasn't for her soup kitchens and her evangelism, it would have made the difference between us having a meal and not eating. So there was some good the Amy semple McFurry did. And so even though she may, I don't really think that that makes her a worse person for building this Persona. I don't see that. However, I thought that she should have gone on her true identity. I wasn't buying this, the actress part of it, because she's got the accent. That's very british to me. Yeah, I can't. It's hard for me to buy it on an acting sense. [00:55:08] Speaker A: I can totally see that. And then I can see, to me when she said that, like, why you, if you're gonna go into ministry, christian ministry, you need to be authentic. Like, why do you have to develop this personality? Cause, look, like, to me, you could have related more to the people if you told them your backstory and what have you, you know, that's just me. But if had I known that, I'd have been like, ah, I can't deal with. You know. But see, then it's got that entertainment value. Cause how a lot of entertainers back then and now use these Personas, these aliases, if they will, and I hate to use the word channel, but to channel this different Persona and go out on stage and do what they need to do. So that was kind of weird to me when she said that. That was off putting. But, yeah, kudos to you with that accent thing because, yeah, I think they chose Jean Simmons because of her angelic face. And she's a great actress. I'm not taking it from her. But, yeah, if she could have worked a little less. Could have worked more, I should say, on american accent, I guess, if I had to criticize. But I totally get what you're saying about that. Let's finish this scene. Cause it's very poignant to the story. [00:56:23] Speaker C: And when this revival is ended, I'll have enough money to own it. Do you think it was blind luck that brought us to zenith? Do you? [00:56:39] Speaker D: Of course not. [00:56:41] Speaker C: It was God's will. [00:56:43] Speaker D: Of course. [00:56:54] Speaker C: Now do you understand why you and I. [00:56:56] Speaker D: Of course. [00:57:00] Speaker A: Nobody. [00:57:02] Speaker D: Nobody. [00:57:04] Speaker C: I've never. [00:57:05] Speaker D: Of course. [00:57:06] Speaker C: Never. [00:57:07] Speaker A: Naturally. Girl, that's too much. Girl, that's too much. That is just too much. [00:57:17] Speaker B: I know, but it goes to show that back then, the way they film things, they do it so subtly. Yeah, but we know exactly what's going to happen. They just go into the darkness, into the shadows. [00:57:31] Speaker A: Right, right. Why he had to go in a cave. Also, like you said, like, he led her to darling, like Dante's inferno and all this O'Connor imagery, for which, I mean, you know, I get it, but it was kind of dramatic, girl. I laughed. I said, now, come on, now. That's it. She wanted that vitamin D. Excuse me? She been wanting that. No one's innocent. No one's innocent. No one's innocent. So, okay, I got ahead of myself. So now, after all that, he goes on a crusade. And these speaking engagements to sell and get rid of the stench that's on the hit piece that Lefferts did. So let me just show this, because, gosh, we're going into an hour now, and I'm trying to hurry up and get us to be like, got two minutes from an hour. I'm sorry, guys, but, yeah, let me show this part. And so there is Lulu, played by Shirley Jones. And I only knew Shirley Jones from the Partridge family. When I saw this, like, years ago. And, girl, when I saw her, I was like, well, Lul, Lulu. Lulu, short for loose. Loose. Oh, my gosh. So her and her pimp. Daddy, her pimp, they checking out Gantry and all his. His theatrics and talk. And, you know, she's just seething because of what happened to her in the past, how he just left her out in the cold, you know? So I don't know who's this computer, though. But anyway, so, like I said, he went on. And so he goes on these crusades and everything like that, and he's gonna encounter Lulu when he goes whole busting, if you will. And so let me just show some of the scene. We're not gonna get into all that. Cause we are, like, up against it. It's an hour and didn't want to go this long, so. Yeah, and leopards are reported. He has a great sense of humor. He's like, man, do what you gotta do, you know, but you can't really see it. But this town scene, this scenery back here has been in so many different movies, especially those of you are Andy Griffith fans. Y'all will know it as, like, downtown Mayberry, where they go and go to the show and all this kind of stuff. So here's he is on his crusade, and he runs into Lulu, where they get busted at the brothel and busses her and her. Hold on. There she is. And she's laughing because they recognize he recognized her. And at this, he had no idea what happened to her, nor did he care. But he sees she's a prostitute, you know? Yeah. [01:00:21] Speaker D: Captain Holt. Captain Holt, may I suggest we release these poor, unfortunate creatures? What? But you don't. I know, I know. But throwing a prostitute into jail will not remove her sin. And it certainly won't get rid of prostitution. [01:00:33] Speaker C: Mister. [01:00:33] Speaker D: Gentlemen, no pictures, no publicity. No, no, please, Captain Holt, I want to compliment you and your men on a fine, patriotic job. Well, thank you, sir. See these girls? Leave time and quick. [01:00:50] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh. What's a girl? A dude. Georgia. [01:00:54] Speaker B: I know. [01:00:54] Speaker A: Trying to make a funky buck. I said funky. And here he comes with his foolishness. He worse than she is. Girl, what's a girl to do? So what did you think about Miss Lulu and Shirley Jones when you saw her initially? [01:01:13] Speaker B: Well, you know, I had seen her in her other movies that she'd done. Oklahoma, where she's just squeaky clean. And also carousel and all these other shows. Marion the librarian and the music man. And so I thought, whoa. The director didn't even want Shirley Jones to play the role of Lulu Baines, but Burt Lynn Caster insisted. And so that's how she got into the role. But I have to tell you this. I had an encounter with Shirley Jones. [01:01:44] Speaker A: No way. [01:01:45] Speaker B: Yes, I did. I was at the Atlanta Hartsfield airport. I was standing in line to get on the plane, and I happened to look and see Shirley Jones standing off to the side. And I have to confess, I was staring at her. And she knew that I knew who she was. [01:02:01] Speaker A: Yeah. [01:02:02] Speaker B: And nobody else recognized her. And so she very nonchalantly walked over, got in front of me, and took custody in front of me, because she knew. She's a fan. She'll let me do it. And she was right. I let her take my hand, and I didn't even get an autograph from her. I should have said, miss Jones, would you please sign me? [01:02:27] Speaker A: Right. [01:02:28] Speaker B: Yes. [01:02:29] Speaker A: Girl, that is so funny. What a great story. You've been sitting on that one. Yes, I have. [01:02:37] Speaker B: I had a celebrity encounter with Shirley Jones. [01:02:39] Speaker A: Girl, she used that Hollywood privilege shoot. I love it. [01:02:43] Speaker B: She did use it. [01:02:45] Speaker A: That is so. [01:02:45] Speaker B: But I was the passy. I was the sucker. [01:02:48] Speaker A: How long ago? Like, when was that? [01:02:51] Speaker B: Oh, gosh. It must have been maybe 1520 years ago. Something like that maybe. [01:02:56] Speaker A: Funny to me, girl. And she ain't even asked. She just got in front you? [01:03:00] Speaker B: No, she didn't say a word. [01:03:02] Speaker A: That is crazy. Oh, my gosh, girl, I was about to say something real mean. All right, Shirley, we see you. [01:03:11] Speaker B: Georgia. [01:03:11] Speaker A: That is, like, one of the best stories. So shout out to Shirley, Shirley Jones using that Hollywood. That Hollywood stardust she did. [01:03:21] Speaker B: I want to tell you something really quick for our fans, because I think you're going to find it interesting. She said when she was promoting her biography that her favorite co star was Burt Lancaster. And she said he was the best kisser of all time. [01:03:36] Speaker A: Oh, I believe her. [01:03:38] Speaker B: I do, too. [01:03:42] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh. Be still, my beating heart. Okay, let's see. Let's share this scene. So this is where she sets him up. Okay, so. And he. So she called him to come over and for the good times. And so he goes over there. [01:04:06] Speaker D: What are these pictures for? Divorce or blackmail? Benny, will you come on? Now, chick, remember, position is everything. No, I mean, without any flash powder, you gotta get this guy to freeze for a couple of seconds. Time exposure takes time, so keep him still and quiet. [01:04:22] Speaker C: But that's so dumb. [01:04:23] Speaker D: And keep the radio playing so we. [01:04:25] Speaker B: Don'T hear this. [01:04:28] Speaker D: Okay? [01:04:29] Speaker C: Okay. [01:04:30] Speaker A: Okay. [01:04:30] Speaker D: Okay. Let's go. [01:04:35] Speaker A: Okay. And we'll just let that play. So. I just love how that scene is so real, and this happens all the time. We going through this right now and how technology is just. It's making it really hard to have vices nowadays, ain't it, Georgia? [01:04:59] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. There's a camera on. Everybody's got a camera on their phone. Oh, yeah. You can't get away with anything. [01:05:06] Speaker A: And these black. These blackmailers, if you will, how they. These extortioners. I don't know how people still fall for this. Cause there's like. Anyway, well, you have your vices, and, hey, it comes with the territory. I don't know what to tell you, man, but nothing has changed. I think we're gonna start a series. Nothing has changed, Georgia, because it's the same b's over and over. No one learns anything. And we see it with Gantry, with Lulu. So let's go back to that scene real quick, and you can. And she and Bert really put on an acting clinic of talking about running the gamut of emotions. It just was just perfect. Look at the music. [01:06:04] Speaker D: You look swell, kid. [01:06:06] Speaker C: Likewise. [01:06:07] Speaker D: Just swell. Sorry about last night. [01:06:20] Speaker C: Get it. [01:06:26] Speaker D: Better. But I know how to run into you. I'd have. [01:06:27] Speaker C: Oh, that's a. [01:06:28] Speaker A: Okay, now I love how. Cause he knows he's a snake and he knows what he would do. So you see how he's scanning the room and checking everything out? I thought this was so funny. [01:06:52] Speaker D: What the hell's the big idea? [01:06:53] Speaker A: Georgia was. How old was Sherlock? Was she younger than. Significantly younger than Burt Lancaster or what? [01:07:00] Speaker B: I'm not sure. He was 47 when this was made. 1960. I put her about. Yeah, she was. I'm just gonna guess and say she's 25, 26 years old. [01:07:11] Speaker C: Okay. [01:07:12] Speaker A: Yeah, she looks significantly younger than him. But, of course, a woman. [01:07:17] Speaker D: Elmer, you think I'm really gonna sit still for a shakedown? [01:07:20] Speaker C: Baby, how could I put this squeeze on you? Who's gonna take the word of a five buck hooker against Elmer? [01:07:25] Speaker D: Gallon badger game, huh? [01:07:26] Speaker C: I only wanted to see you for. [01:07:28] Speaker D: For what? [01:07:30] Speaker C: Well, for. [01:07:31] Speaker D: For what? [01:07:33] Speaker C: Gee, honey, look, look, I'm almost packed. The cops gave me notice. I got a ticket on the midnight bus. I got no beef against you. I only wanted to see you once more. Kick around some old memories, maybe have a few laughs. [01:08:05] Speaker D: Go on. [01:08:12] Speaker B: Oh, my. [01:08:13] Speaker C: Kidding. You first hit town. I figured you could go to hell any way you wanted without my help. When you came busting in last night like God almighty wearing a tin star, I got mad. Boiling mad. All I could think of was me. How you took me and ditched me. That's all I could think of. Me, little Miss Lulu, the dumb pushover. And when the cops said, get out of town in 24 hours, all I wanted to do was split. Spit in your eye, blackmail you, shake down anything to hurt you. [01:08:45] Speaker A: Spit. [01:08:48] Speaker C: But when you walked in just now, gee, honey, it was like the first time between us all over again. All goose pimples. You better beat it. I'm sorry I phoned. I won't make any trouble, not even if I could. [01:09:22] Speaker A: Now, this is where I was saying how they're playing the gamut of emotions. Well, she is Shirley. And as the audience member, me, I was. I wasn't quite sure. Okay. Is she telling the truth now or when she looks in the mirror? You know, she's still, you know, playing them, but she just really a well earned oscar, in my opinion. [01:09:45] Speaker B: I agree too. [01:09:47] Speaker C: Please go now. [01:09:54] Speaker D: I did run out on you back there in Kansas, too, didn't I? [01:09:58] Speaker C: It's nobody's fault. Except maybe my old man's. [01:10:02] Speaker D: Ever hear from him? [01:10:03] Speaker C: Once, last Christmas. The letter said, daughter, read one kings, chapter 21, verse 23. I looked it up. It said, and the dogs in the street shall eat Jezebel. [01:10:17] Speaker A: Wow. [01:10:18] Speaker C: My old man in his bible. Tell me, how is it some people can only find hate in the bible? [01:10:32] Speaker D: Where will you be going to? [01:10:34] Speaker C: I think I'll go tramping through Paris this season. [01:10:37] Speaker D: Use some cash. Sort of tide you over. [01:10:45] Speaker C: Just. Just kiss me goodbye. Just once. [01:11:18] Speaker A: Now, you do have the music kind of helping out to, like, maybe show the shift in emotions. But I still like how Shirley Jones did that with her. It wasn't just with her eyes, but she made you feel, like, the energy, maybe. Cause she said Burt Lancaster was a great kisser. That, you know, she was going back in time and remembering like that. The electricity shot through her body of the remembering how much she loved him. [01:11:46] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. And there's a scene where they're like, I think, together in each other's arms. And it just. You could feel like there was something kind of real that they remembered from before. And it just felt very natural and so true to them both. [01:12:18] Speaker D: What you doing? [01:12:31] Speaker C: Stay well. Talk to me. Don't go yet. Please don't go. Oh, tell me anything. Tell me a good strong lie I can believe, but hold me. Just hold me like you used to. Please. [01:12:58] Speaker A: See, to me that one. Her to ask around right there in another scene. So I think this was the linchpin and I just love how this movie, to me, is a perfect movie and a perfect study of human. Of humanity and people longing for authenticity and love. And I saw a theme of loneliness and desperation and again, authentic relationships. A theme of that or the lack thereof running throughout this movie. I don't know if you caught on to that as well. [01:13:28] Speaker B: I felt so, yes. [01:13:29] Speaker A: Okay. [01:13:30] Speaker B: With different characters. With a variety of characters in this movie. Yes. [01:13:34] Speaker A: Yeah, right. [01:13:46] Speaker D: No use, Lou. [01:13:47] Speaker C: Why? Because. [01:13:51] Speaker D: I don't know. [01:13:53] Speaker C: Because of what? Because of her. [01:13:55] Speaker B: That Bible broad. [01:14:03] Speaker A: Is that curious George back here? I don't know, George, you being curiosity killed the monkey as well. I know. Lord, if curious George could talk, but let's just go on. Yuck. Where's the man in a yellow hat? I hope he ain't see him in there. Good night, nurse. [01:14:30] Speaker C: I'm sorry. No hard feelings. Please don't go yet. You know, I. I could use some of that cash after all. [01:14:43] Speaker D: For sure, sure. Maybe I could send you some from time to time. That is, till you get a job. Or maybe meet some nice respectable man, huh? [01:14:52] Speaker C: I meet nice respectable men every night. [01:14:57] Speaker A: Yes. [01:14:58] Speaker B: Queen. [01:15:00] Speaker C: The best bank in America. [01:15:07] Speaker A: And honey, that was the linchpin. That's when she got all the votes right there for the Oscar. And she deserved it because she did that. And, and like I said, the best bank in America. Yeah. Did you, did the old people say that to you? Two girl named put their money, they booze them or something like that. [01:15:25] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. [01:15:27] Speaker A: And of course that's a commentary on a depression and a run on the banks and such. Go Shirley Jones. Shirley is still with us. How old is she? Georgia? She got to be in like her late eighties or. [01:15:38] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Oh, yeah. Every bit of that late eighties. [01:15:41] Speaker A: Okay. She's still so pretty. Just cute, cute, cute, cute, cute. [01:15:46] Speaker B: I agree. [01:15:49] Speaker D: Take care of yourself. [01:15:51] Speaker C: Likewise, hon. [01:15:56] Speaker D: Class. She's got a real class. [01:16:02] Speaker A: And so she goes on, and I'll get to that scene. So they're gonna black. Of course they're gonna blackmail them. You gotta do that, man. What's the purpose of going through all that and not blackmailing them? So let's go on to that scene where he comes there. And so let me just set this scene up so he's like, we're gonna get away. He. And he goes to talking, he goes to Sharon, we're gonna get away. I'm gonna take you on a trip and all this kind of stuff. And she's elated. [01:16:39] Speaker C: Oh, yeah. [01:16:39] Speaker A: We get to go away and have a good time with each other and blah, blah, blah. So she's elated. So then Dean Jagger, Mister Moore, he comes and rains on that parade. And when I say rain, I don't mean rain. He sounds with his on a parade. And because these photos are out there and he has them, they've been sent to him. And this is when he confronts birkback, right? Burt Lancaster about that. And to see Jean Simmons reaction to is great. [01:17:08] Speaker D: I don't want Shara to see these. She'll have to, fella. I'll do anything you say. I'll quit. Don't let Shara see these. She's got to see them. [01:17:18] Speaker C: Darling, don't you think we ought to take Bill on the picnic with us? [01:17:21] Speaker A: No. Heck no. [01:18:02] Speaker C: I. I suppose they're for sale. [01:18:09] Speaker D: $25,000. [01:18:10] Speaker A: Woo. [01:18:13] Speaker C: 25. [01:18:15] Speaker A: Now, girl, what's that in today's money? We need an inflation carrier. That's gotta be, what was it, like 75 in today's money? I think it's like three times. Almost 100,000. Between 75 and $100,000, I would think. [01:18:30] Speaker B: I think even more. [01:18:31] Speaker A: Oh, you think, like a million or something. Somebody in the comments let us know. 25K. Not 75, like 250 or something. I don't know. But it's a lot. That's a lot of 25 G's. So they go on, and she's gonna go pay it. Lulu wants her, honey. Wants Sharon to come and pay that money personally. And, girl, when she comes with that money, I am dead. She, Lulu lays me out. So Sharon goes to Lulu's jerk in a taxi with sunglasses on and a hat, trying to be incognito. And, honey, let's take a look at that. Cause Georgia, I was screaming. I was like a woman of ill repute to the end. But I felt kind of sorry. I felt sorry for Lulu. I don't know about you. Did you. How did you feel about Lulu? [01:19:36] Speaker B: I did. I always felt sorry for her. [01:19:39] Speaker A: Yeah? Yeah. [01:19:40] Speaker B: Even when she was planning to take him down, I felt sorry for her. And I think Burt Reynolds, he. Lancaster, he realizes, like, how he has caused her life to go to ruin. [01:19:52] Speaker A: Lancaster. [01:19:54] Speaker B: There you go, Lancaster. Thank you. He realizes he's done that. And I think that's why he's not fighting this. He's just saying, yeah, I did that, and he's owning up to it. [01:20:04] Speaker A: Right? Okay. I love that dress, that yellow lace. That's gorgeous. This is a true woman style, girl. This is so how women, how we are, looks up. And I love it. It's so realistic. [01:20:33] Speaker C: I brought the money. May I have the negatives, please. [01:20:42] Speaker A: I didn't know they had negatives back then. Period. [01:20:55] Speaker D: Extra. Jack. Yeah, yeah, I read the story. I saw the picture. Thank you very much. [01:21:07] Speaker B: Did you see this? [01:21:08] Speaker C: Yeah, I saw it. [01:21:10] Speaker A: So, yes, the story gets out, and, yes, you saw the headline, preacher prays, P r e y s, which is hilarious. And so, you know, of course, that busts up the whole operation of Sister Falconer, Sister Sharon, and so we're kind of. We're really running over. But, you know, we wanted to get into this movie. I'm gonna speed it up a little bit. And. So, Georgia, should we give them the end? I don't know. I don't want to give them the end. [01:21:43] Speaker B: I say no. [01:21:44] Speaker A: Okay. Yeah, I'm gonna stop it right there. Yeah, I'm gonna stop it, because all I'm. All I'm gonna say is that Lulu redeems herself. That's pivot, pivotal to the movie, because Elmer Gantry redeems himself with her. So go see it. Go see it for free. It's we again on tube. You saw it right there. You can see the whole thing. But, Georgia, I'm gonna leave it Alaska, because this was your first time seeing this movie. [01:22:14] Speaker B: You know, I saw some parallels in this movie to some previous ones that we did, because it wasn't our first one with a very dodgy preacher, because remember when we did night of the hunter? [01:22:24] Speaker A: Yeah, I thought about that. Yes. [01:22:26] Speaker B: Yeah, I know. And then I was also thinking about the character that was in Baxter played in all about Eve, how she was slowly trying to insinuate herself and get into the business there. I was wondering how that was going to play out. So I was thinking about all about. [01:22:44] Speaker A: Eve, and that's another Betty connection, a loose one, but. Yes, yes. [01:22:49] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. So those were just my other observations I had about the movie. But. So I don't want to say too much, because I know we're over, but just thought I would see if anybody else kind of thought about that while they were watching the movie, and I'm. [01:23:02] Speaker A: Glad you brought that up. So I did find what I was talking about. Babbitt. And so this is the same character. I did see this movie. It's hilarious. And like I said, it's Sinclair Lewis. And this came out in the thirties. And so George Babbitt, he's a leading citizen in the towns of Zenith, and that is the same guy, not the same character actor, obviously. So I don't know if the movie did that or Sinclair Lewis, because he didn't do the screenplay Richard Brooks did. But yeah, so that is so that little Easter egg. But go and see this movie whenever you can. I think I saw it, obviously, on Turner classic movie. It's hilarious. It's a comedy. It's not a drama, but yeah. So Babbitt, that's the same guy and a great guy. Kibby and Eileen McMahon are in it. And it's really, really, really funny. Well, guys, we saw, I noticed one of our longest ones, but we saw it almost kind of turned to a reaction smoothie. And when I was looking at this, I was like, man, we should do this as a reaction, you know, but I didn't want to, girl, that would have been here forever. So we kind of hard right now. But thank you for tuning in, everyone, and hanging in there with us. Go and watch the great Burt Lancaster and Elmer Gantry and let us know what you think. You know, you can always comment, share and subscribe. We're on YouTube. And of course, we're live here on Facebook. Georgia, what is going to be our next fantastic movie? [01:24:24] Speaker B: The Godfather. [01:24:26] Speaker A: Oh, lord, we're going to be here till the cows come home. Talking about that on the 27th. We will be back here live, be golf, all the part one with a very young and dashing Al Pacino. Well, you know, sort of kind. But anyway, he'll be there. And Robert Duvall and James Khan. And just the pinnacle of the best, you know, swept the Oscar. So everybody should know the godfather, based on Mario Puzzle's novel. And then at some point, we'll do part two with Robert De Niro. He was so young and cute and everything, but. So, Georgia, we got all these extremes going, don't we? [01:25:04] Speaker B: We sure do. [01:25:05] Speaker A: So it is all for you, our wonderful, wonderful audience. Thank you all so much. So we'll see you back here. Oh, Georgia, anything else you want to say about Elmer Gantry before we get out of here? [01:25:16] Speaker B: Yes. The two things, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And beware of wild women and whiskers. [01:25:23] Speaker A: Wild mini whiskey, too wild anything. Wild boars, wild men with the wild card. All of the wild thing. All that. You guys take care. We cannot wait to see you again on the 27th. Right here, Facebook live for the Godfather. We so appreciate you. And again, the video of this will be uploaded Monday to YouTube for our YouTube wonderful fans over there. Thank you all so much. I'm Moya. [01:25:56] Speaker B: And I'm Georgia. [01:25:57] Speaker A: And you guys take care. We'll see you next time on how Betty Davis saved my life. Life lessons from classic Hollywood see you next time.