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Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil B. DeMille

Cecil Blount DeMille was a founder of the Hollywood motion-picture industry, one of the most commercially successful producer-directors of his time, and one of the most influential filmmakers in history. Between 1914 and 1956, he made seventy feature films; all but seven were profitable. Cecil B. DeMille is synonymous with religious epics: The King of Kings, Samson and Delilah, and The Ten Commandments (1956). He blended spectacle, sex, and spellbinding narrative to convey a message of faith.

It was DeMille who created the image of the omnipotent director, megaphone in hand, wearing boots and a visored cap. DeMille gave Hollywood numerous stars: Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, William (“Hopalong Cassidy”) Boyd, Claudette Colbert, Robert Preston, Jean Arthur, and Charlton Heston.

DeMille created the posts of studio story editor, art director, and concept artist. He was one of the first to use theatrical lighting on a movie set. In the late 1920s, when Hollywood converted to sound films, DeMille defied the sound experts, liberating the camera from a confining booth, and implementing the microphone boom.

DeMille’s authority extended beyond the confines of his studio. He was a power in aviation, banking, politics, and real estate. In the 1930s, his fame as a filmmaker was surpassed by his fame as a radio star.

He was a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an institution from which he eventually won two awards. In 1953 his film The Greatest Show on Earth won the Award for Best Picture of 1952; and he was presented with the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.

DeMille’s influence on world culture is incalculable, but there are estimates and milestones. His biography of Jesus Christ, The King of Kings, was a silent film, but because of a unique distribution arrangement, it was eventually seen by 800 million viewers. Samson and Delilah (1949) and The Ten Commandments (1956) are still listed with the top ten all-time box-office champions. They continue to generate revenue and provoke thought.

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Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Golden Age

Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Golden Age

2021

as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Yul Brynner, the Magnificent

Yul Brynner, the Magnificent

2020

as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle II

Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle II

2020

as Self

Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle

Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle

2020

as Self (archive footage)

Hail Satan?

Hail Satan?

2019

as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)

Sword-and-Sandal

Sword-and-Sandal

2019

as Self (archive footage)

The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille

The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille

2016

as Self

And the Oscar Goes To...

And the Oscar Goes To...

2014

as Self (archive footage)

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

2007

as Self (archive footage)

Going Hollywood: The '30s

Going Hollywood: The '30s

1984

as Self (archive footage)

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

1975

as Self (archive footage)

The Buster Keaton Story

The Buster Keaton Story

1957

as Cecil B. DeMille

The Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments

1956

as Narrator (uncredited)

This Is Your Life

This Is Your Life

1952

as Self

Son of Paleface

Son of Paleface

1952

as Photographer (uncredited)

The Greatest Show on Earth

The Greatest Show on Earth

1952

as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

The Fallbrook Story

The Fallbrook Story

1952

as Self, Introduction

Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

1950

as Cecil B. DeMille

What's My Line?

What's My Line?

1950

as Self - Mystery Guest

Samson and Delilah

Samson and Delilah

1949

as Narrator (uncredited)

Unconquered

Unconquered

1947

as Self - Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

Variety Girl

Variety Girl

1947

as Cecil B. DeMille

Jens Mons in America

Jens Mons in America

1947

as Self (uncredited)

Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary

Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary

1945

as Self

The Story of Dr. Wassell

The Story of Dr. Wassell

1944

as Voice of Narrator (uncredited)

Reap the Wild Wind

Reap the Wild Wind

1942

as Prologue Speaker (voice) (uncredited)

Star Spangled Rhythm

Star Spangled Rhythm

1942

as Cecil B. DeMille

Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)

Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)

1942

as Self

North West Mounted Police

North West Mounted Police

1940

as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

The Movies March On

The Movies March On

1939

as Self (archive footage)

Hollywood Extra Girl

Hollywood Extra Girl

1935

as Cecil B. DeMille

The Hollywood You Never See

The Hollywood You Never See

1934

as Self

Hollywood on Parade No. B-5

Hollywood on Parade No. B-5

1933

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Madam Satan

Madam Satan

1930

as Radio Newscaster (voice) (uncredited)

Estrellados

Estrellados

1930

as Self (Guest Appearance)

Free and Easy

Free and Easy

1930

as Director Cecil B. DeMille (uncredited)

The Circus: Premiere

The Circus: Premiere

1928

as Self

Life in Hollywood No. 1

Life in Hollywood No. 1

1927

as Self

Hollywood

Hollywood

1923

as Cecil B. DeMille

A Trip to Paramountown

A Trip to Paramountown

1922

as Self