for tracy, who was nominated as best actor, the film would become the first of four films he did for kramer. "everybody tells me how good i am," he said, "but only stanley gives me work." the film received "extravagant reviews," yet failed at the box office due to its poor distribution and advertising. in addition, fundamentalist groups labeled the film "anti-god" and called kramer "anti-christ." kramer, however, explains that these groups failed to understand the real theme of the film and the actual court trial it portrayed: