Film Persona

  Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" In 1914, Cecil B. DeMille made the first feature length film ever filmed in Hollywood, California. Over 40 years later, DeMille would make his final Hollywood film, " The Ten Commandments ." Not only would this be his last film he ever made, it was his longest, him most expensive, his greatest box office success, and his most celebrated work. The film is actually a remake of a film he made over 30 years prior. However, in the 1923 version of " The Ten Commandments ," only the exodus of the Hebrews are shown i.e. - the parting of the red sea and the receiving of the Ten Commandments. This version of the story covers from Moses's birth to the receiving on the ten commandments.  The 1956 version of " The Ten Commandments " feels like a culmination of all of DeMille's work. The themes, sets, spectacle, and grandiosity are all 'DeMillian' in a sense, but they are all their most excellent ...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth" The phrase "the show mush go on" is often used to indicate the lasting nature of entertainment. It also demonstrates the entertainment industry's lack of loyalty to any one performer, as they are not as important as the 'show' itself. No illustration of these points are more explored on film than Cecil B. DeMille's " The Greatest Show on Earth ."  The film centers around a circus troupe and the varying experience of the individuals of which it is comprised. What DeMille is able to narrative articulate with his direction of the film is the unique distinction between the individual and the entertainment venture as a whole. Throughout the film, the various characters each have their own unique life and problems. Aerialist Holly becomes jealous over being removed from center ring in place of the Great Sebastian. The Great Sebastian must deal with a horrible injury that threatens his entire c...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "Samson and Delilah" In keeping with the traditional of making biblical epics, Cecil B. DeMille 1949 film " Samson and Delilah " had become the biggest up to that point. DeMille had been attempting to make the film since 1935, but complications with DeMille's contract halted production. However, in 1946, DeMille was able to convince Paramount executives to take a chance with the story, despite their hesitations about financing a 'Sunday school tale.' DeMille cast Victor Mature in the role of Samson, a decision DeMille would later regret due to the actor's cowardice on set. For the role of Delilah, Hedy Lamarr was chosen, a role that would define her Hollywood career.  The plot centers around the iconic bible story. Samson is a Danite, who are under the rule of the Philistines. After showing his strength by killing a lion with his bare hands, he is allowed to marry whomever he chooses. Instead of picking Delilah, who has been ...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "Reap the Wild Wind" In the 1940s, Cecil B. DeMille continued Mille continued with his streak of box office successes. " Reap the Wild Wind " was no different. It starred John Wayne as a ship captain contending for the affection of Paulette Goddard's Loxi in 1840. The film was a spectacle sensation and included a scene featuring a giant squid in the climax. However, the only notable thing about this film from this writer's perspective was how headstrong the character of Loxi is. The film came out in 1942, right as the US entered World War II. Because so many men were leaving for war, women were expected to take their labor jobs at home. The film displays a woman who is capable of running a marine salvage business in the place of her father after his death. This fierce woman doing a man's labor job instilled necessary propaganda for the running economics of American life. The film was a wild success for Paramount, filled with acti...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "Union Pacific" A typical Cecil B. DeMille picture usually contains a thematical battle between hedonism and spiritual resolution. With the 1923 version of " The Ten Commandments ," the characters must evaluate whether they want to abide by the law of God or go down the path of moral selfishness that was rampant in the 1920s. In his 1932 effort " The Sign of the Cross ," a soldier is torn between the pleasures of the Roman empire and the spiritual certainty of Christianity. With his 1939 film " Union Pacific ," there is a similar vein, despite minor adjustments to the formula.  " Union Pacific " takes place in 1862 during the construction of the Union Pacific railroad. Many believe that uniting the east and the south will bring together a divided America. However, financial opportunists find it in their best interest to delay the progress. The film is a battle between these two intentions, each represented by an...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "Cleopatra" When Cecil B. DeMille was making " Cleopatra " in 1934, the Motion Picture Production Code implemented far more rigid constrictions on film content. The 'pre-code' films before July 1, 1934 contained far more explicit material, either visually or thematically. The new code was implemented right in the middle of DeMille's filming of " Cleopatra ." Because of the new restrictions, DeMille had to limit the sensational imagery he was typically known for. " Cleopatra " would have probably looked far more like " The Sign of the Cross " from two years earlier, with sexual implications, violence, and even partial nudity. Perhaps this was DeMille's grand vision for " Cleopatra ," as the film's themes deal with power and the very nature of indulgence in itself. The story would have lent itself to falling into the traps of indulgence that power brings and thereby would have enticed...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "The Sign of the Cross" Venturing into sound proved successful for Cecil B. DeMille, despite having three flops with 1929's " Dynamite ," 1930's " Madam Satan ," and 1931's " The Squaw Man ." Despite these misfires, DeMille used these productions to improve the sound quality of film itself. For example, he devised a microphone boom and a soundproof camera blimp, as well as popularizing the camera crane. Because of his unique innovations to film's new sound landscape, he was called back to Paramount at the request of Jesse Lasky. There, he created his first major success since 1927's " The King of Kings ." The film, " The Sign of the Cross ," was another Christian-centered story. The story takes place in 64 AD Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. Nero is having all Christian round-up and executed. However, one of his top soldiers falls in love with a Christian woman, despite being ...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "The King of Kings" Cecil B. DeMille left Paramount in 1924, despite helping to found the company 11 years earlier. There were many reasons for his departure. One of the reasons being DeMille's arguing with Adolph Zukor about the extravagance of his pictures, as well as going over production costs. As many film scholars know, you cannot think of a Cecil B. DeMille picture without thinking of extravagance. This extravagance not only signified a DeMille film, but also is the foundation of the idea of 'Hollywood,' which DeMille essentially lit the match for. DeMille went to work for the Producers Distributing Company, in the hopes of producing his own films. DeMille did not find much success at this new company however and eventually left with the introduction of talking pictures. There was one singular film DeMille made with Producers Distributing Company, though. This film was his iconic biblical epic, " The King of Kings ." Up un...

  Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" By 1923, Cecil B. DeMille was not only an established director in Hollywood but was highly regarded as one of the best. For his next project, he outsourced ideas for a film to the public. A contest was created in which the public could submit their ideas and the winner would have their idea be DeMille's next film. The winner of the contest was F.C. Nelson of Lansing, Michigan. The first line of his submission read: "You cannot break the Ten Commandments - they will break you." Acting as his own producer, DeMille brought in Jeanie MacPhearson, a frequent collaborator. At first, Jeanie wanted to create an episodic form of the Ten Commandments, each commandment represented through a different episode. However, she and DeMille eventually decided on something even more unusual.  The screenplay was to be split into two separate stories. The first story centers on the story of Moses leading the Jews out of Egypt. After wa...

"Male and Female" by Cecil B. DeMille Cecil B. DeMille started his career in the arts as a theater actor. He did this from 1900 to 1912 until he eventually lost interest. His interest instead turned to the new world of film. Although he had absolutely no filmmaking experience, he was hired as a stage director for Lasky Feature Play Company, which would eventually grow to become Paramount Pictures in 1927. DeMille and the other members of the Lasky Feature Play Company ventured out to California to set up their new studio. While other major film studios were filming their movies in Edendale, DeMille and the LFPC decided to set up shop in Hollywood in 1913. Little did they know, their location selection would go on to become the largest industrial center for the film making industry in history.  After a string of somewhat successful films, DeMille's " Male and Female " in 1919 would make him one of America's successful film directors, behind only D.W. Griffith...