A bored insurance salesman quits his job to go into politics. He first starts preaching about how man is greater than he thinks and that man can live forever. He ends up forming his own ...
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Title: The World's Greatest Sinner (1962)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Timothy Carey | ... | Clarence Hilliard | |
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Gil Barreto | ... | Alonzo (as Gil Baretto) |
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Betty Rowland | ... | Edna Hilliard |
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James Farley | ... | The Devil |
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Gail Griffin | ... | Betty Hilliard (as Gail Griffen) |
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Tyde Rule | ... | Follower |
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Gene Koziol | ... | Follower |
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Dayna Madison | ... | Follower (as Dana Madison) |
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Gitta Maynard | ... | Elderly Woman |
| Titus Moede | ... | Follower | |
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Betty Sturm | ... | Follower |
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Marty Prisco | ... | Follower |
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Grace De Carolis | ... | Mother |
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Carolina Samario | ... | Nate |
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George F. Carey | ... | Follower |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
A bored insurance salesman quits his job to go into politics. He first starts preaching about how man is greater than he thinks and that man can live forever. He ends up forming his own political party, "The Eternal Man" party. He begins to be referred to as "God". Then he starts having doubts about the eternalness of man. Written by J. Picagli <mirjen@ibm.net>
Taglines:
Clarence Hilliard wanted to be somebody .. a preacher .. a rock & roll star .. the President .. but he'll settle for just being .. God!Genres:
DramaCertificate:
Not RatedParents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
June 1962 (USA) See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$250,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono
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See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Frank Zappa
Performed by Baby Ray & The Ferns
(opening credits music)
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The film never had an official release, but was repeatedly screened in Los Angeles during the 1960s. It was mainly used as a "midnight movie" , alongside other low-budget exploitation films of the era. It reportedly gathered a fan following as a "cult film". See more »Goofs
When Clarence/God destroys his guitar (after 39 min). See more »Quotes
Clarence Hilliard: Yes, I wouldn't even bother taking out insurance policies on funeral, Dear. Because when you die your body starts to stink. That's right. They give you a free burial. I wouldn't worry about nothing. No, no, you don't need insurance policies that cover your burial funeral. That's right, Dear. Thank you.See more »
Crazy Credits
"The Beginning" (at the end) See more »Soundtracks
World's Greatest Sinner(uncredited)
Written by Frank Zappa
Performed by Baby Ray & The Ferns
(opening credits music)
See more »
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Recommended to me by a complete and utter "World's Greatest Sinner" fanboy, I decided I should check it out. He said something like, "If you're a fan of insane acting performances you will not be let down." Hell, I love insane acting performances! Probably more than the next guy. F that, way more than the next guy! So, the WGS Fanboy, or he may be a Timothy Carey fanboy....anyways, WGS/Tim Carey fanboy called me out pretty much. So, the next chance I had, I popped on The World's Greatest Sinner. And I'll tell you what, it was most definitely an insane acting performance. One so great, that it made the movie. It is the movie.
The film is simply about a tired Insurance Salesman who just doesn't want to do what he does anymore. He wants to be a somebody. And does he ever. He strives for power, and before he knows it, he has it. Watching Carey's character evolve from an everyday joe shmoe to uber-personality is basically the premise here.
The film itself is a smart flick. Some other comment said it was ahead of it's time, but it's not really that, but it's more of a timeless film. People don't change in the way Carey's character did in just one period. Carey's strive for power and attention is a trait humans have had and probably will have until we expire as a species.
I had no clue who Timothy Carey was prior to watching TWS. I heard he was a regular as a supporting character in a few Kubrick films. So, heading into this film, I didn't know what the dude even looked like. And boy oye oye, after seeing this film, I'll never forget. Timothy Carey is a tall, foreboding and masculine figure that delivers a style of acting which is just 100% unique. His tedious and realistic approach at acting is kinda bizarre to watch. But like I just said, it's unique. At times, with those sullen looking eyes and his relaxed way of talking, I almost thought he played his character drunk the entire film. But, when he has a scene where he needs to show emotion and energy, he's all over it. Simply put, if Carey didn't cast himself as the lead in his film (wrote, directed, acted etc.) this movie would have been in no way on Earth as entertaining.
The World's Greatest Sinner is only a fantastic movie, because at that time, The World's Greatest Under-appreciated Actor was in it. It's a film that's different, realistic and true to the bone. Definitely a flick I'll be recommending to my more accomplished movie-going friends.