Saturday, September 5, 2015

The Sign of the Cross (1932, © The Kobal Collection)

Source Website:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sign_of_the_Cross_%28film%29
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://moviesdvdnewreleases.com/the-sign-of-the-cross-1932.html - Texts
Posted by Movies DVD New Releases Blu-ray in Movies on 3 July 2012


The Sign of the Cross (1932, © The Kobal Collection)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932, © The Kobal Collection)
Hollywood Bound
Hollywood’s greatest stars, as you’ve never seen them before: chained, roped and tied. It demanded passion, thrills, suspense, violent outbursts of emotion and movement. There had to be a victim, waiting to be tossed aside with contemptuous ease or devoured whole in a paroxysm of lust. … And so it was that innocent maidens were pinned down by rapacious seducers; monstrous villains. Chained, manacled or trussed or viciously tied, awaiting to receive the cruellest of tortures, physical or psychological – only to free themselves in the final reel, and carry off the equally endangered heroines to safety and starry-eyed romance.
Posted by Hollywood Bound, Photographs by Mark Shaw
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKQmP4_Jjt28N4OkjRbGWIxr1iKmugKQfNOoOFXPyc1rCQnVhMOGy9Z6b9vM37ufeICHXbGxLedQmflLzGlFc1dXjSzn9psG7Pnd4vuHkkeHkZ7qHAs4RU92mCxK3gwfSF8z7bzXE0A/s1600/HB-Press-7.jpeg
http://www.lisabakerltd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HB-Press-7.jpeg
http://www.lisabakerltd.com/blog/hollywood-bound-20-november-reel-art-press/



Rome - First Century A. D. Nero, the mad Emperor & Poppaea, his vile Empress, engage in every sort of vice & degradation. Wanton cruelty becomes a spectator sport and virtue & innocence are denigrated. Slowly, however, a new Power is growing. People calling themselves Christians are secretly spreading their Faith ever more widely. They are horribly persecuted, but they continue to multiply. Which will eventually triumph – the might of Imperial Rome, or the gentle ones who follow THE SIGN OF THE CROSS?



The Sign of the Cross (1932, © The Kobal Collection)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932, © The Kobal Collection)
The Sign of the Cross, a film in which poor Christian is tied naked in the arena, ready to be devoured by a gorilla.
Posted by Hollywood Bound, Photographs by Mark Shaw

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZKQmP4_Jjt28N4OkjRbGWIxr1iKmugKQfNOoOFXPyc1rCQnVhMOGy9Z6b9vM37ufeICHXbGxLedQmflLzGlFc1dXjSzn9psG7Pnd4vuHkkeHkZ7qHAs4RU92mCxK3gwfSF8z7bzXE0A/s1600/HB-Press-7.jpeg
http://www.lisabakerltd.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/HB-Press-7.jpeg
http://www.lisabakerltd.com/blog/hollywood-bound-20-november-reel-art-press/


The Sign of the Cross is a 1932 Pre-Code Hollywood epic film released by Paramount Pictures, produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille from a screenplay by Waldemar Young and Sidney Buchman, and based on the original 1895 play by Wilson Barrett.

Like the novel, both play and film take place in ancient Rome during the reign of Nero. The art direction and costume design were by Mitchell Leisen who also acted as assistant director. Karl Struss was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Cinematography. The film stars Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, and Charles Laughton, with Ian Keith and Arthur Hohl. The film is the third and last in DeMille's biblical trilogy with The Ten Commandments (1923) and The King of Kings (1927).



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
After burning Rome, Emperor Nero decides to blame the Christians, and issues the edict that they are all to be caught and sent to the arena. Written by John Oswalt.
Posted by versusmag on 9 June 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-X2tj0s9basrI1iXYhyphenhyphenR5vTTidySxckW70YTtflABDahx0qGV1jC_TqYlg6kgaZtrBzg8pxn-z2bz8HGd3sp2yWed1FHiZIPgZQ9E6Ew6J7aKJr1EaCmpNvK_1OAv3USLFFAmQrE5Tkg/s1600/sign-of-the-cross-gorille.jpg
https://versusmag.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/sign-of-the-cross-gorille.jpg
http://blog.revueversus.com/2015/06/09/un-coffret-bach-films-demille-et-beaucoup-plus/



After burning Rome, Emperor Nero decides to blame the Christians, and issues the edict that they are all to be caught and sent to the arena. DeMille loves to slyly mimic his own audience in the lengthy final coliseum scene and its vast array of naked women tied with garlands being offered to giant gorillas, and even Amazons vs. Pygmies.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)

PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
DeMille loves to slyly mimic his own audience in the lengthy final coliseum scene and its vast array of naked women tied with garlands being offered to giant gorillas, and even Amazons vs. Pygmies.
Posted by Erich Kuersten on Friday, 22 July 2011
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSWqv1l5XopPYk0lMWuNv0saB1sKPtcCwytLzZQXiBEB-gcOUFHUkooZZ7Dn7LWNa3IA84jiVLl6vHTrgQWbN3AIGNmK_WWmEVu_cIWr4w7uPpO57BmmEw0iFS0kO_MGjjlbf2ACYHTEc/s1600/girdss-1.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1hl3S33l6dg41heIklhT8oUb-OjJCnD4fjEtvFvLooIyb4tHGTyuXQrhjVXO2IvdFP5TD7apU055y6aAballf3GmAKTMh_lq61zwrMzIb-cT4Ns6uYVZZTXlVDfVzhr5LdPcD0X82Gc/s1600/girdss.jpg
http://acidemic.blogspot.sg/2011/07/god-bless-orgiast-whos-brought-his-own.html



A nude young women horizontally tied to a pole like a pig on a spit for a Crocodilian feeding frenzy. Sally Rand has an uncredited role (according to her family members) as the woman who is about to have her head bitten off by an alligator near the end.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Sally Rand about to be sacrificed to the crocodiles. Never heard of her? Well, she was an exotic dancer, one of DeMille's regulars - she pioneered the Fan Dance. She was arrested at the Chicago World's Fair was coming as Lady Godiva. This is supposed to be a moment of horror, but DeMille can't help shooting it like an artfully-lit burlesque routine.
Posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009 

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSf08Hu3D9vnXgOuPCvBlrQlCi8fnnwVUWrBr3xCzT4cGiH5qFijduW7zldlODSPr3dyZj3wEfjSRbDWEHs7fs72OeBXdMFXhMW-bJ9jD9jEXZvcE3Qpv6GrSKDtIfiW_MajsPJF2o0AY/s1600/3763815644_70802e704c-1.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2646/3763815644_70802e704c.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/danrn/tags/censorship/



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Sally Rand realises that her fate is sealed. Her face cuts to a reverse shot ....
Posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe-LRn31ISi19H-kCFrXY2lIxL_yNyOfeetaeTY_0qQH9O9nXRf0K7m7cYNDyZAjmxhezGxwIH2Meuy63qLhLE2zgNjlwIA3MHWxiyJZZIr_9PMv-6IrlLP-9UkL1UNKJavF7H4esaGk/s1600/3763817622_a0855846ed-1.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2417/3763817622_a0855846ed.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/danrn/tags/censorship/



Alligators feeding with a young Christian woman, elephants treading on people’s heads, a gorilla raping a girl tied to a wooden pillar, people crucified and burned, men fighting with bulls, bears, women fighting with dwarfs; yet lions and tigers eating Christians, and many other cruel games to the joy and lust of the viewers.
Indeed, it is a film not to be watched by kids even at the beginning of the 21century, but historically accurate and visually very well made.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
A nude young women tied to a pole vertically tethered for a male gorilla’s pleasure. The bound woman has to look on as the killing continues.
ARENA: Alligators feeding with a young Christian woman, elephants treading on people’s heads, a gorilla raping a girl tied to a wooden pillar, people crucified and burned, men fighting with bulls, bears, women fighting with dwarfs; yet lions and tigers eating Christians, and many other cruel games to the joy and lust of the viewers. 
A comment on the original 1932 version by Marcin Kukuczka from Cieszyn, Poland on 31 July 2012 at 2:18 am
http://moviesdvdnewreleases.com/the-sign-of-the-cross-1932.html - Texts
Picture posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtyWBE4yi4nN9X096BHK-mW0Zm0lLMgdAQwFIav603vurl32LF-290NaNPhqRw2UY0iFPjZ-ITDT2CFUciRUKlXPHs-getSE88T5Km5GCuplEUXY6gExIZgH427g4GCKeA86kcqMZCBY/s1600/3763833636_cd896cbedf-1.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2671/3763833636_cd896cbedf.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/danrn/tags/censorship/



Two old Christians are caught, and about to be hauled off, when Marcus, the highest military official in Rome, comes upon them. When he sees their stepdaughter Mercia (Elissa Landi), he instantly falls in love with her and frees them.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
An altercation in the streets over the treatment of Christians - the first meeting between Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), the highest military official in Rome,  and Mercia (Elissa Landi), whose love will blossom despite their ideological differences.
When Marcus sees the old Christians' stepdaughter, Mercia, he instantly falls in love with her.
Picture posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqQySGDRm9o5L2ugN9SfR9pV8aqKXxolv95srtH9ndh5UQCfavdyUolpsbUNLRfnXp3tMdesnbFKC-yEG0ycQJLlqtdFWBtlyh0JGbGR8SMo4yL79Dem7L__CFY77FLa6H74f7mlEUCg/s1600/3763799308_fbffa19a92.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2549/3763799308_fbffa19a92.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/danrn/tags/censorship/


When they first meet, March is in lust more than in love. He clearly can have any woman in Rome that he wants, including the Emperor's Wife (Claudette Colbert). When he first meets Landi he tries to seduce her. When that doesn't work, he tries to demonstrate his affection for her by convincing one of "Rome's most… Talented Women" to seduce her for him, leading to a lesbian dance sequence that drove the censors crazy in 1932.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Joyzelle Joyner (1905-1980), dances and tries to lure Elissa Landi away from Landi's virtuous Christianity.
Posted by AllPosters.com
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrEbzJDAhD1a6Mhaahsyo3QB8LIBiu6h2m14qktty4EhOmKbi1u3KgetTUhVo8WEjmnGaU_4cEPfCvBFtdlqpvhird9o8Sv74GeegGusI75GRnIvBuNhJsFqaoDrl6ETAN7IvYjnAUsc/s1600/67-6718-IOLA100Z.jpg 
http://imagecache5d.allposters.com/watermarker/67-6718-IOLA100Z.jpg?ch=671&cw=894
http://www.allposters.com/-sp/The-Sign-Of-The-Cross-Elissa-Landi-Joyzelle-Joyner-Fredric-March-1932-Posters_i9342021_.htm


The Dance of the Naked Moon,” performed by an exotic named Ancaria (Joyzelle Joyner), to entice Mercia (Elissa Landi). Couples fondling and osculating during the orgy scene were far more provocative.


The Sign of the Cross (1932)

PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
As Marcus Superbus (Fredric March) watches, the wicked Ancaria (Joyzelle Joyner) performs the Dance of the Naked Moon to entice Mercia (Elissa Landi). Marcus tries to demonstrate his affection for Mercia by convincing one of "Rome's most… Talented Women", Ancaria, to seduce her for him.
Posted by Cecilia de Mille Presley and Mark A. Vieira on 18 December 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOOKMaYumK5EMNPs1HldN66nGuN3fq16Otv-9BuRYxnacfkgdegFOd8UAd9oHX8F7JYkvVciydeWJsdDriMmNUahyphenhyphenvCKqAFtIf3-ncb4In8RRjNY675Qc4Rh0MQPJHROsWyod0iE-mB0/s1600/Sign-of-the-Cross-5.jpg
http://cdn.brightlightsfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sign-of-the-Cross-5.jpg
http://brightlightsfilm.com/wickedest-movie-world-cecil-b-demille-made-sign-cross/#.VgITZ32YQz_



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Ancaria (Joyzelle Joyner) begins her dance of the Naked Moon.
Posted by Nos magazines, Première on 05 December 2006 at 11:23 AM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-6O42VHZfj_E480OGsP51q92pd59V2hdh1Ed_GZbiGTnOXQO8mmZ-EJYByepN_YjrzgG6yNc8NNjI7BUF3XkL-5ltJyzBHOmJStie0QI2oF1vwdXbs4pj8_HbpdDhSbNuFXh1o4Dx-4/s1600/image_portrait_w858.jpg
http://cdn-premiere.ladmedia.fr/var/premiere/storage/images/cinema/photos-film/photos-acteur/le-signe-de-la-croix/node-1354480/15453635-1-fre-FR/image_portrait_w858.jpg
http://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Photos-film/Photos-acteur/LE-SIGNE-DE-LA-CROIX-121885



This is probably DeMille's greatest blend of the sacred and the profane, as sequences like a lesbian orgy dance and Claudette Colbert nude in a milk bath are balanced by scenes of genuine Christian belief and piety.  


The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Ancaria
(Joyzelle Joyner) and Mercia during the Dance of the Naked Moon.
Picture posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFCBYjBGvAQNodS2YpuXOcn9gYmiIx7GYbDFxX_fylIA_U8tkVdPg7OGNIQEYQcJsUpvQI83ziKmZltjNn1tfSOz0KY1j-LBaS6Me_aMKTq7ju_NB_S-iPnGI0H_xljIT06TmJAxocfY/s1600/3763008893_976be55ae4.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2573/3763008893_976be55ae4.jpg
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/danrn/tags/censorship/



Meanwhile, Landi develops what can best be described as a schoolgirl crush on March. Landi claims to love March, and flirts with him, but then draws away.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Landi develops what can best be described as a schoolgirl crush on March. Landi claims to love March, and flirts with him.
Picture posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHARCc9lUyTEZyDE28Q3I7izKKsWIpnW96Y7v8HaX8-xU_cjRgoQTEZRFxp-ZzkE5Sj4lZyRDx-p8sG0uX6ZeIlH6HWO5H-QwrahcSJTQNXq0SlMFfWUv1ymsQMtjZU6Mn2OK5iuUBdUQ/s1600/Annex+-+March%252C+Fredric+%2528Sign+of+the+Cross%252C+The%2529_01.jpg
http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/March,%20Fredric/Annex/Annex%20-%20March,%20Fredric%20%28Sign%20of%20the%20Cross,%20The%29_01.jpg
http://www.doctormacro.com/Previous%20News/News%20%282009-09%29.htm



The first half of the film focuses on these 2-dimensional characters, and the shallow attraction that they have for one other. But their feelings deepen during the second half. When Landi's Christian friends are marched off to the arena to die, she finds herself wanting to do nothing more than join them. March realizes that he loves her, and sacrifices his career by demanding that the emperor (Charles Laughton in his American film debut) spare her life. Laughton agrees, but only if she renounces her faith.

Marcus pursues Mercia, which gets him into trouble with Emperor (for being easy on Christians) and with the Empress Poppaea
(played by Claudette Colbert at her most amorally luscious), who loves him and is jealous. Very quickly Mercia is to be sacrificed to the lions.


The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Fredric March and Claudette Colbert in The Sign of the Cross 1932.
Cecil B. Demille's Sign of the Cross (1932)
is known for its brash depictions of depravity, nudity, lesbianism, orgies, sadism and death.
Posted by Emma on Thursday, 7 June 2012 at 20:24
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7UX-6CwxHXbOsxKKvwZpOC6V2n649URNC_ZF4dCfgKf2D-qsVy1cPBzv8q7P4vb4S1wwGzEUqEl0BC_XaX1HsbAP10cqpu_NGkpXSQJRFqNjC79YDo97LHeI_kRbXwqrLB-09MElrH4/s1600/Fredric-March-and-Claudette-Colbert-in-The-Sign-of-the-Cross-1932.jpg
http://classicmoviestills.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fredric-March-and-Claudette-Colbert-in-The-Sign-of-the-Cross-1932.jpg
http://letsmisbehaveprecodefilmtribute.blogspot.sg/2012/06/behind-scenes-sign-of-cross-1932.html



Empress Poppaea arranges with a rival prefect to have the girl and the other Christians attacked and arrested.  March saves the girl, barely (the sequence of the soldiers descending on the large Christian prayer meeting is all the more terrifying for the very real feeling of persecuted brotherhood we get right before the arrows start to fly), and proposes to her, but she accuses him of just wanting her for sex. 


The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
With its scantily clad actresses like Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), Cecil B. DeMille's pre-code epic The Sign of the Cross shocked audiences. When it was re-released 12 years later, a number of scenes were cut in order to comply with the Hays Code.
Posted by WBUR News on 8 August 2008
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4xbe0ddzlbr2frORnRQWSGMdYM_nRyy_BR_K9Xuy_gJTs3EHylWu78ewR61_cMK9P2dsU4YFGyNxCzQ33CcjS8A2YLouWxuOEhfLoS56hgaOtmbC2gSP3U_mPmaA2OXKHQnwd1g7rlY/s1600/cross_540-e71fb30ca31c3137a3dd19f715de8e8b51aa6ffb.jpg
http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2008/aug/cross_540-e71fb30ca31c3137a3dd19f715de8e8b51aa6ffb.jpg?s=6
http://www.wbur.org/npr/93301189



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Scantily clad actresses, Poppaea (Claudette Colbert), Emperess of Rome. Claudette Colbert at her most amorally luscious.
Posted by ondiraiduveau, Uploaded by Isabel Santos Pilot on 14 March 2011
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYi9eACfSVXfQwjx0dN2fgIQb-N32pEz8gX-JbUv3gf1tppT-guC9m9se2l72Fshu4rNftqqbD-dzihCwv13KPLHX69XtBo-4-joE8WQnZ5R_YKGmvROtc47kOw-NFTOSSZJY3QXGGoc/s1600/5525902938_6256559df1_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5211/5525902938_6256559df1_b.jpg
http://flickeflu.com/set/72157625653105900



The Sign of the Cross (1932) PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
The equation of Poppaea (Claudette Colbert) nude with milk is presumably not to imply some maternal connotations in her, but perhaps rather its perversion into a decadent (depraved) excess. The milk just barely cover Claudette’s nipples.
Posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7usauEh3kfVHY2EiCQvMwUe-9yaC93HYRZ54IO63UqgnVbOLsZUrTJPMatJ7ZDuE32Z-8NwE9voSdN9oDQSTTuKLqSxv2NSjRRkv9n8_MK56PiXRkanKZm5qf1xISOp-aO2t2taA3qbg/s1600/3763802004_28145ce3b7.jpg
https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2072/3763802004_28145ce3b7.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danrn/3763802004/in/photostream/





Claudette Colbert PHOTO: Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert - CHARLES GATES SHELDON (American, 1889-1960).
Posted by ondiraiduveau,  Uploaded by Isabel Santos Pilot on 19 October 2009 https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIhooloUKD8FOQv7BTEmWxhf-uya6ZUdiHVURvdKzmyhLDSvprPCGvLqdDltpeTlJhy-CitkypBH4FNAkOmdRpoiDlfqn6vFB8AoWmocT5ddkhdtWyo__hyphenhyphenm_onzJD2cAzB5TfyuVGNuQ/s1600/4026711563_a8cf75e769.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/4026711563_a8cf75e769.jpg
http://flickeflu.com/set/72157625653105900



Behind the Scenes: However, there is some evidence that the themes of the film crept into the minds of the actors and into their behaviour on the set. Claudette also commented that Freddie March continued to harass her during publicity a publicity shoot in which she had to endure, “Freddie’s hand wrapped around my rear end.

Claudette Colbert, in an informal interview with Rex Reed (quoted in an amazing article by Vanity Fair), stated that Fredric March was more than cordial to her on the set. She stated that, “Freddie March was the worst womaniser I ever knew," and continued, "His hands had 20 fingers, I swear, and they were always on my ass."

It seems director Cecil B. Demille didn't behave much better. Reports say that Demille always attempted to glimpse Claudette nude while entering and exiting the famous nude scene - which took a massive week to shoot. The crew were sympathetic to Claudette, carefully covering her to prevent him from seeing anything.

Other women who had the same treatment from March include, Carole Lombard and Greta Garbo.



The Sign of the Cross (1932), Behind the Scenes
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932), Behind the Scenes
Marcus Superbus (Fredric March), the highest military official in Rome,  and Mercia (Elissa Landi), whose love will blossom despite their ideological differences.
Claudette Colbert, in an informal interview with Rex Reed (quoted in an amazing article by Vanity Fair), stated that Fredric March was more than cordial to her on the set. She stated that, “Freddie March was the worst womaniser I ever knew," and continued, "His hands had 20 fingers, I swear, and they were always on my ass."
Posted by Emma on Thursday, 7 June 2012 at 20:24
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kubEGEB0xqUkL6GBKZfIqe5DSiIbKcV2QP79Jxj-n9MryvaYWhHcAowmOxV6Ey3baEs14ZHPlHSDhiibeG-Svoku1Fa8ZDEKFdTeDoNmaIxpYAuzV1kozUhiiwvqPHy0PLOHITNFcsg/s1600/DeMille+1932+Sign+of+the+Cross.jpg
http://hollywoodhistoricphotos.ipower.com/hhpstore/images/DeMille%201932%20Sign%20of%20the%20Cross.jpg
http://letsmisbehaveprecodefilmtribute.blogspot.sg/2012/06/behind-scenes-sign-of-cross-1932.html



This Cecil B. DeMille epic is a vivid retelling of the struggles of the first Christians. Paramount gave the film a lavish production and DeMille wrings every drop of piety & puerile interest possible from the plot. Fredric March is stalwart as the Roman official who falls in love with a beautiful Christian girl. While his ultimate conversion wouldn’t convince the average modern Baptist, he holds his own in scenes with other performers whom are allowed to behave outrageously. Elissa Landi is sweet as the virtuous Believer, effectively under playing her role.


The Sign of the Cross (1932), 罗宫春色 Luō gōng chūn sè
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932), 罗宫春色 Luō gōng chūn sè
Claudette Colbert does memorably, from her eye-popping milk bath scene to her revenge on her would-be lover. Sniveling, whining and wearing a huge fake nose, Charles Laughton is pure effeminate evil as Nero, a foul blot on the face of humanity & stealing all his scenes from everyone else.
Comments by Ron Oliver (revilorest@juno.com) from Forest Ranch, CA on 31 July 2012 at 2:18 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakxGu30wlJeKWxILI37vLpJJS7h7NzarjU6CY_Ygc4qnDEPOdp_uQC4W4jiQJmSQN5hfL7_7U4WhFvIAVQWmSXDCXc30XagovTmcwFNaw-7JvpnpXdfBPHpXbZ7lGgxii_61ctrZLuNc/s1600/111452.29753234.jpg
http://img21.mtime.cn/pi/2011/06/01/111452.29753234.jpg
http://movie.mtime.com/38701/posters_and_images/1720818/



`Do you want to play the most wicked woman in the world?’ DeMille asked Claudette Colbert one day on the studio lot. She did & she does memorably, from her eye-popping milk bath scene to her revenge on her would-be lover. Sniveling, whining and wearing a huge fake nose, Charles Laughton is pure effeminate evil as Nero (notice his catamite, a boy kept for homosexual practices), a foul blot on the face of humanity & stealing all his scenes from everyone else. History tells us that Nero eventually murdered Poppaea by stomping her to death…



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932), poster
The advertising campaign for The Sign of the Cross gave the impression that Paramount Pictures was having a gay old time. This film was the first in Hollywood history to feature homosexual characters in its ads; they were painted by Dan Sayre Groesbeck.
History tells us that Nero eventually murdered Poppaea by stomping her to death… 
Posted by Cecilia de Mille Presley and Mark A. Vieira on 18 December 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRWwpYNDmTb4YVvRPdBbEeqBXL3Jis2OBg6mYDJtoKwvWpg8wdTz3aExkyRZRSx9TxaFHErIibb1yD1RFvPwNLGGZaUS5eoihzM2qCGnuZDLEWe10l-jSyoa1CByOICv8voSJ3ThgIuc/s1600/Sign-of-the-Cross-14.jpg
http://cdn.brightlightsfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sign-of-the-Cross-14.jpg
http://brightlightsfilm.com/wickedest-movie-world-cecil-b-demille-made-sign-cross/#.VgITZ32YQz_


Ian Keith is enjoyable as an unpunished villain. Ferdinand Gottshalk & Vivian Tobin are effectively degraded as Roman bacchantes (priests). Film mavens will recognize the voice of John Carradine, calling `We who are about to die, salute you!’ out of the arena to Nero; he can later be spotted in the role of a Christian martyr ascending the dungeon stairs to his death.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Mercia comforts a young Christian, who is understandably upset about his imminent death.
Posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cWFGbl0zXI-yOdtOv-_wMk0MVoEpluqKGI2qjWE_1iYkFkTQhRekerrzEuNAI8n4qCaMQVFDvsj_NQv5EKIREYpQdcPYybXPWne3y9_Fr9OcBgri2laDoZ5w0whIqRcd8fiPpL41eMk/s1600/3763036511_9476f292ed.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3502/3763036511_9476f292ed.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danrn/3763036511/



March goes to the Coliseum just as Mercia is about to be sacrificed to the lions. He tells her that she can continue to practice Christianity privately if he marries her – she only has to pretend to renounce it publicly. It's a tempting offer, but she refuses.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Mercia fears the end. She climb up the steps to the arena stands, ascended the modern stairs and fearfully walked towards the entrance of the arena.
Posted by puppetmister, taken on 27 July 2009
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8AqQf0zv0frhM2RiVvB13TeAuK3R_SudPMwWJggjKX8XflKCnbSr3imWOHSJxengmHA_zOC6RbcSJ_OeKjcCVQq13_E6Dz-_4SHepe49PWVAdpW-0YphBU8KuggkK7zG1oFQK2dYIiU/s1600/3763037085_831d67ca2e.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3577/3763037085_831d67ca2e.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/danrn/3763037085/



The Sign of the Cross (1932)

The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Posted by Nos magazines, Première on 05 December 2006 at 11:23 AM

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa9DMiKbIPw_O-M_EiVVeibPmSw8iw2-L9vt9RLqKK2Ze9yeQ10pKAxEqUjgfcAI9DOS6yV4KGr5aPx1iGpQhh-7F4I1Zddf5VHCfJP-I_ARgh9-ijFyze3cHEPvhPxdK2U1r4yN5YKU/s1600/image_portrait_w858-1.jpg
http://cdn-premiere.ladmedia.fr/var/premiere/storage/images/cinema/photos-film/photos-acteur/le-signe-de-la-croix/node-1354470/15453554-1-fre-FR/image_portrait_w858.jpg
http://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/Photos-film/Photos-acteur/LE-SIGNE-DE-LA-CROIX-121885



So March, who does not believe in Christianity, and apparently knows next to nothing about it, does something astonishing. He says that *he* will convert – not because he believes in it – but because he cannot imagine living without her. The film ends with the two of them hand in hand climbing the stairs to meet the lions and their maker.



The Sign of the Cross (1932)
PHOTO:The Sign of the Cross (1932)
Mercia and Marcus, united in religion as in death.

A spectacle more stately or powerful than the arena sequence, touched such spiritual splendor as when the hero and heroine walk hand in hand to their death.
They walk up the steep steps to martyrdom, the bright light suggesting an ascent to heaven (instead of a journey towards a tooth-and-claw slaughtering).
Posted by Cecilia de Mille Presley and Mark A. Vieira on 18 December 2014
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6yWLwwTFC5YkgszjelVa8Sf4Gitl51Y_JEVc9uzJ2ZGlfJ21DqUzFdyd0rE5Bv0iIolKDtml5og8Dqjj5Sl674kwpRSl91pQGr32ETiHI1dbf30yo6j_XXbe1O-cQTmmoj2JyE21_5w/s1600/Sign-of-the-Cross-30.jpg
http://cdn.brightlightsfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Sign-of-the-Cross-30.jpg
http://brightlightsfilm.com/wickedest-movie-world-cecil-b-demille-made-sign-cross/#.VgIZpX2YQz_



For most of us, it's a whole lot of fun, and might reasonably be seen as an attempt to resolve the tension between body and spirit that has been so fundamental to the religion for two thousand years.  That, or DeMille is just a huge hypocrite: he wants us to root for both the Christians and the lions.


The Sign of the Cross (1932) PHOTO: The Sign of the Cross (1932)
By x-ray delta one James Vaughan, January 28, 2012
Claudette Colbert in Sign of the Cross - A "pre-code" pulp costume flick that was dripping within implied sensuality but cloaked in enough righteous disapproval to appease the squares. Claudette's racy milk bath scene alone probably curdled a whole cathedral full of church ladies back in the day.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwVhQt41-TbHXPIia27bObRtHvDAD8Cal9VaP13QHIRDEszga3dkPc3_m83YzE3Qze0hiCkh2g8zPq6-LXAG-VC4PHaUrMQ5xItLccv7IKDMOgHDlhEvcx1S3tIFA3x-Lri8ShY4mDCw/s1600/6774392875_604aa56d22_o.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6774392875_604aa56d22_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/6774392875/sizes/o/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/6774392875/


The Sign of the Cross (1932), Produced By:
Cecil B. DeMille known as producer (as Cecil B. De Mille)

Full Cast & Crew:
    Fredric March known as Marcus Superbus
    Elissa Landi known as Mercia
    Claudette Colbert known as Poppaea
    Charles Laughton known as Nero
    Ian Keith known as Tigellinus
    Arthur Hohl known as Titus
    Harry Beresford known as Favius Fontelas
    Tommy Conlon known as Stephan
    Ferdinand Gottschalk known as Glabrio
    Vivian Tobin known as Dacia
    William V. Mong known as Licinius
    Joyzelle Joyner known as Ancaria (as Joyzelle)
    Richard Alexander known as Viturius
    Nat Pendleton known as Strabo
    Clarence Burton known as Servillius
    Harold Healy known as Tybul
    Robert Seiter known as Philodemus (as Robert Manning)
    Charles Middleton known as Tyros
    Joel Allen known as Bombadier – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Mischa Auer known as Christian in Dungeon (uncredited)
    Lionel Belmore known as Bettor of 300 Silver (uncredited)
    True Boardman known as Slave of Nero (uncredited)
    Marjorie Bonner known as Roman Woman (uncredited)
    Joe Bonomo known as Mute Torturer (uncredited)
    Henry Brandon known as Spectator at Colosseum (uncredited)
    George Bruggeman known as Slave of Nero (uncredited)
    Horace B. Carpenter known as (uncredited)
   John Carradine known as Christian Martyr / Leader of Gladiators / Voice in the Coliseum Mob (uncredited)
    Lane Chandler known as Christian in Chains (uncredited)
    Ruth Clifford known as Christian Mother at Meeting (uncredited)
    William Forrest known as Colonel Hugh Mason – 1944 Prologue (uncredited)
    Wynne Gibson known as Extra at Orgy (uncredited)
    Dorothy Granger known as Bit Part (uncredited)
    Carol Holloway known as (uncredited)
   John James known as Lieutenant Herb Hanson – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Otto Lederer known as (uncredited)
    Lillian Leighton known as Woman Getting Gold for Cup (uncredited)
    Edward LeSaint known as Enthusiastic Spectator (uncredited)
    Wilfred Lucas known as (uncredited)
   James Millican known as Captain Kevin Driscoll – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Gertrude Norman known as Christian (uncredited)
    Wedgwood Nowell known as Man Accepting 300 Silver Bet (uncredited)
    Dave O'Brien known as Christian on Stairway (uncredited)
    William H. O'Brien known as Man Who Heard Lions All Morning (uncredited)
    Hal Price known as Spectator (uncredited)
    Sally Rand known as Crocodiles' Victim (uncredited)
    Tom Ricketts known as Sleeping Spectator (uncredited)
    Stanley Ridges known as Chaplain Lloyd – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Angelo Rossitto known as Pygmy Broached By Sword (uncredited)
    Ynez Seabury known as Little Girl (uncredited)
  Arthur Shields known as Chaplain Costello – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Jerome Storm known as (uncredited)
    Kent Taylor known as Romantic Spectator (uncredited)
  Oliver Thorndike known as Lieutenant Robert Hammond – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Tom Tully known as Hoboken – 1944 Re-Release Prologue (uncredited)
    Florence Turner known as Christian (uncredited)
    Ethel Wales known as Complaining Wife (uncredited)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Posted by Movies DVD New Releases Blu-ray in Movies on 3 July 2012

L'Amour, William Mortensen
PHOTO: L'Amour, William Mortensen
The style brought him criticism from straight photographers of the modern realist movement. Historians and critics have described his images as highly sentimental, mildly erotic and sadomasochist entertainments. Finally he was described by Ansel Adams as alternately the "Devil", and "the anti-Christ".
Picture by William Mortensen
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1IWA27zkA2QFeyWBji4FvjBCiV1hFzQ93iAFDqFr8n2jD6gezQf76MFJ6tIG6Ux0y9F75aWnxtobu-yeRI_vVRcUUzWYpTJxJFLKocAcmN1CmKZPKjFyEBPnsPmvhDQ0lyLSVYg2sTs/s1600/william-mortensen-l-amour-1.png
http://www.churchofhalloween.com/wp-content/gallery/william-mortensen/william-mortensen-l-amour.png
http://churchofhalloween.com/william-mortensen/



Naked Moon Dance
PHOTO: Naked Moon Dance
Scantily clad actress Joyzelle Joyner known as Ancaria performs this Dance of the Naked Moon to entice Mercia (Elissa Landi).
Naked Moon Dancers dance naked under the full moon wherever they may be. There is no ‘right time’ for this dance, it is up to the dancer to find the best time in their area, so long as they dance some time during the night.
Posted by Pastor Philip, The Naked Church Of Christ And Booze (Originally by raven6811, Source from shaders)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-em7rV5gPp1PfERyh2WGtK7uTjU41yzNHlDat19xdinD2te04bbD8ETbSmzx-gmNwqN3gjacqALTJFqNCwaGCbHxjwX0-BdqbBz7-i6R4-WBdbEJW3DiU97zIqQeMUsQdHUPBfX7VdQM/s1600/2828911_large.jpg
http://s.photosight.ru/img/3/d1e/2828911_large.jpg
http://nakedmoondance.tumblr.com/post/19578249519



Salomés (Joyzelle Joyner), c.1936, William Mortensen
PHOTO: Salomés (Joyzelle Joyner), c.1936, William Mortensen
Joyzelle Joyner as Salomé. Joyzelle Joyner was an American actress who appeared in minor roles in a number of silent films. Her lascivious scene in Cecil B. DeMille's The Sign of the Cross (1932) was deemed scandalous enough to later be cut from the film by censors.
William Mortensen preferred the pictorialism style of manipulating photographs to produce romanticist painting-like effects.
http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2012/07/13/william-mortensens-salomes/ - Texts
Picture by William Mortensen
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JA2Os_EhjTLjr9qsvCCtqxYHh1NQqNNeAYYN_JgY_PEKvXJOcnnAvhfr9xn9Tqmtw_LE0sa-f6UfaYYvD4tsrnkxlgh45j3kYYvy3FoMRncPYLpLpAgamO-wDAqNVfuawAnhy5JKclE/s1600/william-mortensen-salomes.png
http://www.churchofhalloween.com/wp-content/gallery/william-mortensen/william-mortensen-salomes.png
http://churchofhalloween.com/william-mortensen/



Nude Study, William Mortensen
PHOTO: EVIL DEAD
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkBiFNIV1hdegvMfKX1FARVAP6WaHANnXMBYeyTbfUnCVcsk1kM_OjVwn4oJxtfOCbIjWiTtCXDHwkiIUA2r-YaV5lE0KkpmOTg0o6VMv-sUfecyISiByqyXv8BLms5LW18t3qZAUS3o/s1600/iaJaLxyYwxn8hpxoguASp9pZL3E-1.jpg
http://d3gtl9l2a4fn1j.cloudfront.net/t/p/original/iaJaLxyYwxn8hpxoguASp9pZL3E.jpg
http://flickfacts.com/movie/5725/The%20Evil%20Dead



Satan’s Slave PHOTO: Satan’s Slave – Director Norman J Warren (1976)
This film tells the tale of 19 year old Catherine Yorke played by the incredibly gorgeous and mesmerising Candace Glendenning (The Flesh & Blood Show, Tower of Evil) on her way to visit her Uncle Alexander played by the extremely charismatic Michael Gough (Horror Hospital, Batman) and cousin Stephen the very sinister looking Martin Potter (Craze, Goodbye Gemini).

On the driveway to her Uncle’s mansion the car crashes and her mother is killed instantly, Catherine manages to escape from the car but before she can help her father the car explodes and kills him too.

Understandably suffering from shock she agrees to stay at her uncle’s house for a few days to get some rest. Obviously things aren’t quite what they seem and her family history turns out to be a little unusual to say the least, despite this she forms quite a close relationship with her cousin Stephen which doesn’t go down too well with his live in lover and Housemaid Frances.

The films includes plenty of Black Magic, great sacrificial scenes, a reasonable helping of gratuitous nudity (apparently a horror film wouldn’t get financed without this in the 70’s) and some pretty spectacular Special Effects, look out for the pin in the eye scene! All this to say this was Norman J Warren’s first Horror film before he went on to make Prey, Terror & Inseminoid.
Posted by Stewart Kinloch on 11 November 2009 at 5:55 pm

http://forgottenfilms.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/satans_slave_poster_015.jpg?w=577&h=819
http://forgottenfilms.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/satan%E2%80%99s-slave-%E2%80%93-director-norman-j-warren-1976/

February 21, 2012 Through March 27, 2012
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNaiosBR17GuQUAbQsMq7DHg7ynosVbcsRTJBOFDaLcBvLDfTq24rWYUhBMqH-5lCMVarp63fDznd3So8_bM6H8nF09BKJHNWOMz603jbtWB0UVswm1Ig8DBtYjWT5UB3ersc6pX1v9M/s1600/91HG7mzItGL._AA1500_-1.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/91HG7mzItGL._AA1500_.jpg
http://www.the-mortuary.com/showthread.php?t=30542



Reference