The World’s Greatest Sinner

A classic example of a shoestring budget, and one of the most notorious underground films ever made. If Elvis Presley had ever done a movie where he played a cult leader, it might look like this. It’s the story of a man who wakes up one day and decides he’s God. He starts his own church, preaching his gospel using NO WAVE rock ‘n’ roll. Eventually, he gains a large group of followers who call him God and listen to his teachings about eternal life. He makes a deal with Satan, forces a man to commit suicide, has sex with an 80-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl, wears flashy suits with cuffs that say GOD in gold, runs for president and battles the real God to the death!!
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 (like a precursor to Nicolas Cage). The World’s Greatest Sinner is haphazardly edited and directed by Timothy himself; the bizarre nature of the material go hand in hand with the film making. If nothing else, this movie serves as an indictment of cult leaders and the corruption of the human soul. The music for this amazing film is by a young Frank Zappa, including the great theme song. (Jerry Saravia)