In 1892 the close-knit de Mille family moved to a newly built house in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Cecil learned the connection between preaching and the theater. In the evenings Henry read to his children, first from the Bible and then from either a literary classic or a history book. Henry often asked Cecil and William for their opinions of the latest draft. He was introduced to the dramatic arts as he watched his father write plays with the acclaimed David Belasco. It was here that he learned to love nature, through the flora and fauna of the lake. They continue to generate revenue and provoke thought.ĭeMille’s childhood was memorable for sojourns in a rented house at Echo Lake, New Jersey. Samson and Delilah (1949) and The Ten Commandments (1956) are still listed with the top ten all-time box-office champions. 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. Thalberg Memorial Award.ĭeMille’s influence on world culture is incalculable, but there are estimates and milestones. 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. He was a founder of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an institution from which he eventually won two awards. In the 1930s, his fame as a filmmaker was surpassed by his fame as a radio star. He was a power in aviation, banking, politics, and real estate.
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.ĭeMille’s authority extended beyond the confines of his studio. He was one of the first to use theatrical lighting on a movie set. DeMille gave Hollywood numerous stars: Wallace Reid, Gloria Swanson, William (“Hopalong Cassidy”) Boyd, Claudette Colbert, Robert Preston, Jean Arthur, and Charlton Heston.ĭeMille created the posts of studio story editor, art director, and concept artist. It was DeMille who created the image of the omnipotent director, megaphone in hand, wearing boots and a visored cap. He blended spectacle, sex, and spellbinding narrative to convey a message of faith. DeMille is synonymous with religious epics: The King of Kings, Samson and Delilah, and The Ten Commandments (1956). Between 19, he made seventy feature films all but seven were profitable. DVD.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. So, this scene indicates that Danny’s values and attitudes make him doomed to failure. To some degree, this person can be compared to Danny who thinks that success and power can be achieved by deceiving or even killing other people. In particular, it describes the life of a person who disregards ethical principles and believes that he/she is all-powerful. Nevertheless, it can be regarded as an example of foreshadowing. This scene is a part of the prologue to the prologue describing the Biblical narrative. So, this scene contributes to character development. In turn, Moses appears to be an omnipotent figure, even despite his shabby appearance. In particular, one can see that he can be susceptible to sadness and fear. Overall, this scene throws light on the personality of the Pharaoh. Moreover, the music supplements the visual elements because it enables the viewers to relive the emotions experiences by the characters. His conflicting emotions can be viewed as the main theme that the author explores. This character is at the center of the composition. In other words, this individual can command countless troops and great riches, but he is not able to protect his son from the wrath of God. In this part of the film, the director tries to explore the vulnerability of Ramses. Furthermore, Cecil DeMille depicts the encounter between Moses and the Pharaoh ( The Ten Commandments). This scene depicts the moments when Ramses learns that his son is dead. This scene involves primarily long and medium shots which enable the audience see the actors as well as interior of the palace. This approach helps the director to elaborate the narrative. In particular, one can learn that Egyptian people suffered the tenth and final plague, namely the death of the first-borne child ( The Ten Commandments). For example, the viewers can see the captions which are excerpts from the Bible. It should be noted that Cecil DeMille closely relies on editing.