In 1945 Giuseppe Siri was Vicar-General of Genoa, Italy actively serving with the Italian resistance movement working against Italian Fascism, and German military occupation of Italy.
Beneath the tassels, and other regalia Giuseppe Siri organised soup kitchens for the hungry, even daily cooking, and serving food to the hungry masses. Siri rolled up his sleeves, daily working in the soup kitchens of Genoa.
Burt Lancaster's (I'm everyman, minus the regalia) performance in "Elmer Gantry" 1960 won him an Oscar sufficient to teach the films audiences that a smart talking salesman can deceive.
Padre Pio's Franciscan habit did not prevent him from appearing as he actually was, the inner person demonstrating all that reached out to those who needed his practical assistance.
This scene from "Elmer Gantry" reveals the role of a cynical journalist (played by Arthur Kennedy) confronting the evangelist. Elmer Gantry. The scene speaks to our doubts, our insecurities. Worth viewing:
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