Cecil B. DeMille
Biography: 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.
Place of Birth: Not available
Birthday: August 12, 1881
Deathday: January 21, 1959
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Known For
Sunset Boulevard
1950-08-10
Sunset Boulevard
Overview: A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1950-08-10
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Estrellados
1930-07-07
Estrellados
Overview: A matinée idol and a bumbling manager fight for the love of a would-be starlet. Estrellados is the Spanish version of Free and Easy (1930) with Hispanic/Spanish-speaking actors.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-07-07
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Yul Brynner, the Magnificent
2020-12-02
Yul Brynner, the Magnificent
Overview: The incredible story of the mythical Russian-American actor and filmmaker Yul Brynner (1920-85), the most exotic sex-symbol since Rudolph Valentino; the story of the atypical destiny of an international nomad: from the Parisian cabarets to the stages of Broadway and the Hollywood studios. The rise to fame of a multidisciplinary genius who became a king of the screen.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2020-12-02
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Hollywood
1923-08-19
Hollywood
Overview: Angela comes to Hollywood with only two things: Her dream to become a movie star, and Grandpa. She leaves an Aunt, a brother, Grandma, and her longtime boyfriend back in Centerville. Despite seeing major movie stars around every corner, and knocking on every casting office door in town, at the end of her first day she is still unemployed. To her horror, when she arrives back at their hotel, she finds that Grandpa has been cast in a movie by William DeMille and quickly becomes a star during the ensuing weeks. Her family, worried that Angela and Grandpa are getting into trouble, come to Hollywood to drag them back home. In short order Aunt, Grandma, brother, boyfriend and even the parrot become superstars, but Angela is still unemployed...
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1923-08-19
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Reap the Wild Wind
1942-03-26
Reap the Wild Wind
Overview: The Florida Keys in 1840, where the implacable hurricanes of the Caribbean scream, where the salvagers of Key West, like the intrepid and beautiful Loxi Claiborne and her crew, reap, aboard frail schooners, the harvest of the wild wind, facing the shark teeth of the reefs to rescue the sailors and the cargo from the shipwrecks caused by the scavengers of the sea.
Genres: Adventure Action Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-03-26
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Life in Hollywood No. 1
1927-08-25
Life in Hollywood No. 1
Overview: Part of a 7-part series exploring all aspects of Hollywood.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1927-08-25
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Star Spangled Rhythm
1942-03-05
Star Spangled Rhythm
Overview: Pop, a security guard at Paramount has told his son that he's the head of the studio. When his son arrives in Hollywood on shore leave with his buddies, Pop enlists the aid of the studio's dizzy switchboard operator in pulling off the charade. Things get more complicated when Pop agrees to put together a show for the Navy starring Paramount's top contract players.
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-03-05
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Variety Girl
1947-08-29
Variety Girl
Overview: Dozens of star and character-actor cameos and a message about the Variety Club (a show-business charity) are woven into a framework about two hopeful young ladies who come to Hollywood, exchange identities, and cause comic confusion (with slapstick interludes) throughout the Paramount studio.
Genres: Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-08-29
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Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983-02-25
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
Overview: Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-02-25
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The Buster Keaton Story
1957-05-01
The Buster Keaton Story
Overview: An inaccurate retelling of the life of silent filmmaker and comedian Buster Keaton.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1957-05-01
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Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary
1945-09-06
Screen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary
Overview: A look back at 25 years of Columbia's series of newsreels chronicling the film industry and the lives of Hollywood stars. Clips from earlier films in the series are featured, along with a montage of film greats who have passed away in the intervening years.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1945-09-06
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Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)
1942-01-01
Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)
Overview: The edition of Screen Snapshots celebrates 25 years of production. It looks at the content of edition #1, then a tribute to movie people who have died in those 25 years. Finally there are tributes to the Screen Snapshots series by Cecil De Mille, Walt Disney, Louella Parsons and Rosalind Russell.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1942-01-01
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Son of Paleface
1952-07-14
Son of Paleface
Overview: Peter Potter Jr. returns to claim his father's gold, which is nowhere to be found.
Genres: Comedy Western
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-07-14
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Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984-01-01
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Overview: Robert Preston hosts this documentary that shows what people of the 1930s were watching as they were battling the Depression as well as eventually getting ready for another World War.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1984-01-01
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A Trip to Paramountown
1922-07-10
A Trip to Paramountown
Overview: Documentary short film depicting the filmmaking activity at the Paramount Studios in Hollywood, featuring dozens of stars captured candidly and at work.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1922-07-10
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The Circus: Premiere
1928-01-13
The Circus: Premiere
Overview: Footage from the premiere of Charlie Chaplin's 1928 film 'The Circus'.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1928-01-13
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Hail Satan?
2019-04-17
Hail Satan?
Overview: The story of The Satanic Temple, a controversial movement that combines religion and activism with the apparent purpose of questioning the basic foundations of US society.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-04-17
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Hollywood on Parade No. B-5
1933-12-01
Hollywood on Parade No. B-5
Overview: Comedian Lloyd Hamilton escorts a group of beauty contest winners to various Hollywood night spots.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1933-12-01
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Samson and Delilah
1949-12-21
Samson and Delilah
Overview: When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Genres: Adventure Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1949-12-21
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Free and Easy
1930-03-22
Free and Easy
Overview: Gopher City Kansas hosts a beauty contest. The winner, Elvira Plunkett, and her mother go to Hollywood. The Chamber of Commerce also provides Elvira with an agent, Gopher City's own Elmer J. Butz. Elmer likes Elvira and the shy Elvira likes him, but Mrs. Plunkett, a formidable woman, has little use for hapless Elmer. On the train west, they meet movie star Larry Mitchell, who takes a shine to Elvira and helps her meet MGM directors once they get to Tinsel Town. Elmer, meanwhile, wants to help Elvira with her career and he also wants to be her man. Movie stardom does come to the Gopher City entourage, but to whom is a surprise. And who will win the lovely Elvira's hand?
Genres: Comedy Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-03-22
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North West Mounted Police
1940-10-22
North West Mounted Police
Overview: Texas Ranger Dusty Rivers ("Isn't that a contradiction in terms?", another character asks him) travels to Canada in the 1880s in search of Jacques Corbeau, who is wanted for murder. He wanders into the midst of the Riel Rebellion, in which Métis (people of French and Native heritage) and Natives want a separate nation. Dusty falls for nurse April Logan, who is also loved by Mountie Jim Brett. April's brother is involved with Courbeau's daughter Louvette, which leads to trouble during the battles between the rebels and the Mounties. Through it all Dusty is determined to bring Corbeau back to Texas (and April, too, if he can manage it.)
Genres: Action Western Adventure Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1940-10-22
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The Greatest Show on Earth
1952-02-16
The Greatest Show on Earth
Overview: To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-02-16
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The Story of Dr. Wassell
1944-07-04
The Story of Dr. Wassell
Overview: As the Japanese sweep through the East Indies during World War II, Dr. Wassell is determined to escape from Java with some crewmen of the cruiser Marblehead. Based on a true story of how Dr. Wassell saved a dozen or so wounded sailors who were left behind when able bodied men were evacuated to Australia.
Genres: War Adventure Drama Action Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-07-04
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Madam Satan
1930-09-20
Madam Satan
Overview: A socialite masquerades as a notorious femme fatale to win back her straying husband during a costume party aboard a doomed dirigible.
Genres: Romance Music Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1930-09-20
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Hollywood Extra Girl
1935-08-22
Hollywood Extra Girl
Overview: A short semi-documentary about a "typical extra girl" on a DeMille film.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1935-08-22
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The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille
2016-02-11
The Lost City of Cecil B. DeMille
Overview: Filmmaker Peter Brosnan digs up the set of the 1923 film 'The Ten Commandments', long buried in the sands of California's Central Coast.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-02-11
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Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975-08-06
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Overview: Period music, film clips and newsreel footage combined into a visual exploration of the American entertainment industry during the Great Depression.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1975-08-06
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Jens Mons in America
1947-03-24
Jens Mons in America
Overview: Jens Månsson has big financial problems and realizes that he probably has to leave his dear Skåne farm Gåsabo. But suddenly, he inherits a fortune from his brother John in America.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: sv
Release Date: 1947-03-24
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Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic
2019-04-14
Sword-and-Sandal: The Story of the Period Epic
Overview: The history of the peplum genre, known as sword-and-sandal cinema, set in Antiquity, from the silent film era to the present day.
Genres: Documentary History TV Movie
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2019-04-14
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Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
2007-05-23
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Overview: Before the G, PG and R ratings system there was the Production Code, and before that there was, well, nothing. This eye-opening documentary examines the rampant sexuality of early Hollywood through movie clips and reminiscences by stars of the era. Gloria Swanson, Mary Pickford, Marlene Dietrich and others relate tales of the artistic freedom that led to the draconian Production Code, which governed content from 1934 to 1968. Diane Lane narrates.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2007-05-23
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And the Oscar Goes To...
2014-02-01
And the Oscar Goes To...
Overview: The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy itself, which began in 1927 when Louis B. Mayer, then head of MGM, led other prominent members of the industry in forming this professional honorary organization. Two years later the Academy began bestowing awards, which were nicknamed "Oscar," and quickly came to represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-02-01
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Unconquered
1947-10-10
Unconquered
Overview: England, 1763. After being convicted of a crime, the young and beautiful Abigail Hale agrees, to escape the gallows, to serve fourteen years as a slave in the colony of Virginia, whose inhabitants begin to hear and fear the sinister song of the threatening drums of war that resound in the wild Ohio valley.
Genres: Drama Adventure History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-10-10
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The Movies March On
1939-07-03
The Movies March On
Overview: A "March of Time" presentation of the evolution of movies compiled primarily from film clips of silent movies through the early sound pictures to the present (1939) date. Industry executives such as Jack and Harry Warner, Walt Disney, Cecil B. DeMille, et al are seen taking bows in the live (non-archive) footage.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1939-07-03
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The Hollywood You Never See
1934-01-20
The Hollywood You Never See
Overview: The making of Cleopatra (1934), showing pre-production, DeMille directing a scene, and the addition of music to the soundtrack.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1934-01-20
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The Ten Commandments
1956-10-05
The Ten Commandments
Overview: Escaping death, a Hebrew infant is raised in a royal household to become a prince. Upon discovery of his true heritage, Moses embarks on a personal quest to reclaim his destiny as the leader and liberator of the Hebrew people.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1956-10-05
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Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle II
2020-05-05
Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle II
Overview: THE RED SEA MIRACLE 2 continues to raise big questions about biblical miracles. How could thousands of feet of water be parted at the Red Sea? Or was the sea merely parted by the act of wind in nature, through a shallow Egyptian lake? Mahoney investigates these locations to see if any have a pattern of evidence matching the Bible. People of faith will be inspired and skeptics will have much to think about as Mahoney reveals two decades of documentary research including if divers found the remains of Pharaoh's army on the seafloor. This cinematic journey leads him to inquire... 'Do miracles still happen today?'
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2020-05-05
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Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle
2020-02-18
Patterns of Evidence: The Red Sea Miracle
Overview: In this investigation, filmmaker Timothy P. Mahoney examines the journey to the crossing location, looking at two competing views of the Red Sea Miracle. One he calls the “Egyptian Approach,” which looks near Egypt. The other he calls the “Hebrew Approach,” which looks far from Egypt to the Gulf of Aqaba where divers have been searching for the remains of Pharaoh’s army on the seafloor. The investigation raises giant questions about the real location for the crossing site and its implications on your view of God. The answers to these questions point to one of two very different realities.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2020-02-18
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The Fallbrook Story
1952-01-01
The Fallbrook Story
Overview: “The Fallbrook Story,” is a 20-minute film of Cold War-era uneasiness in which director Frank Capra rails against what he calls the evils of Big Bureaucracy. In 1951, Capra lived in Fallbrook, California on his 1,000-acre Red Mountain Ranch farm filled with olive groves. The federal government, which had purchased the old Rancho Santa Margarita land in 1941 to build Camp Pendleton, was concerned that ranchers upstream would take or pollute the Santa Margarita River, which ran through Camp Pendleton. Capra’s film documents how Fallbrook residents fought back against the federal government.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-01-01
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Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Golden Age
2021-05-07
Indiana Jones: The Search for the Lost Golden Age
Overview: Hawaii, May 1977. After the success of Star Wars, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg meet to find a new project to work on together, the former as producer, the latter as director. The story of how the charismatic archaeologist Indiana Jones was born and how his first adventure, released in 1981, triumphed at box offices around the world.
Genres: Documentary TV Movie
Original Language: fr
Release Date: 2021-05-07
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