 Richard Rossi (qv) was offered the lead in a remake of  _Elmer Gantry (1960)_ (qv) but decided the 1960 film was a classic  that should not be remade. Since _Elmer Gantry (1960)_ (qv) was  inspired by Aimee McPherson, he decided to do the true historical  story and focus on Aimee McPherson as the lead.