When the rivers of blood followed the sinner...

THE WORLD'S GREATEST SINNER (1962)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

I don't think I have seen or will see anything remotely like "The World's Greatest Sinner" again in my lifetime. This is one zonked-out, hyperactive, jumbled though very effective film that is hard to forget, and should be harder to resist. I don't know how else to describe it except if Elvis Presley had ever done a movie where he played a cult leader, it might have looked something like this.

The late Timothy Carey ("The Killing," "Paths of Glory") plays Clarence, an insurance agent who is sick of his job, gets fired and doesn't seem to care. He has a family to support but he gets a vision of being something more - a messiah for the masses where he can speak the truth, though what that truth is escapes me (something about how life is hell and how to become a superhuman being). He recruits anyone who is willing to join, regardless of race, creed or color, and goes so far as to call himself God! Sacrilege! Clarence goes even further by seducing an elderly woman to finance his group! All the great leaders must have some facial hair, so he adopts a fake goatee (and eventually grows his own). He sings rock' roll tunes (all written by the late Frank Zappa before he became famous) wearing a silver, glittery suit while he gyrates like Elvis and James Brown and screams, "Please, please, please!" He alienates his family when his developing cult group begin wearing arm bands with the letter "G" on them (uh, oh). And eventually, Clarence makes a deal with the Devil himself to break into politics and run for President of the United States. Things can only get worse in this Faustian tale.

I have heard of "The World's Greatest Sinner" for years - some have declared it awful and overly theatrical, while others see it as some sort of work of inspired genius. I agree with the latter. Timothy Carey's strange performance of histrionic body language, hypnotic drawl, and occasional trademark of closing his eyes while speaking and listening echoes an erratic energy that is tantalizing to witness (all I can say is that he is the precursor to Nicolas Cage). He is the star of this movie, and is about as berserk on screen as any actor can humanly be.

"World's Greatest Sinner" is haphazardly edited and directed by Timothy himself, but that is acceptable since the bizarre nature of the material go hand in hand with the filmmaking. If nothing else, this movie serves as an indictment of cultish leaders (we have seen our fair share since 1962 which is when this was filmed) and the corruption of the human soul where one thinks they can test God's will (that is the actual Almighty and not the main character). Love it or hate it, "World's Greatest Sinner" is unforgettable, riveting underground cinema.