DeMille's The Sign of the Cross 90th Anniversary
0 views • Sep 18, 2023
Cecil B. DeMille's 1932 film The Sign of the Cross is the first fully integrated sound film, and it was the most controversial film of the pre-Code era. It made stars of Claudette Colbert and Charles Laughton, and it was the first film to unapologetically show same-sex attraction. It was a huge box-office success, saving Paramount Pictures from bankruptcy and restoring DeMille’s status as Hollywood’s most successful producer-director. This documentary was created by Mark A. Vieira, who co-wrote the book Cecil B. DeMille with Cecilia de Mille Presley, the filmmaker’s granddaughter.
The Sign of the Cross
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. 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, he instantly falls in love with her and frees them. Marcus pursues Mercia, which gets him into trouble with Emperor (for being easy on Christians) and with the Empress, who loves him and is jealous.

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