The Man Who Made the Movies

Cecil B. DeMille was a Hollywood legend. He was a director, producer, and showman who helped to define the American film industry. Over the course of his career, he made over 70 films, many of which were groundbreaking and influential.

The Man Who Made the Movies: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of William Fox

by Vanda Krefft

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8286 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	965 pages
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DeMille was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, in 1881. He started out in the theater, but soon moved to Hollywood, where he began working as a director. His first film, The Squaw Man, was released in 1914 and was a critical and commercial success.

DeMille quickly became one of the most successful directors in Hollywood. He was known for his lavish productions and his epic films, which often dealt with historical or biblical themes. Some of his most famous films include The Ten Commandments (1923),Ben-Hur (1925),and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).

DeMille was also a pioneer in the use of new technologies. He was one of the first directors to use sound in his films, and he was also one of the first to use color. He was also a master of marketing and promotion, and he was known for his ability to generate buzz around his films.

DeMille's films were often controversial, but they were also hugely popular. He was one of the most successful directors in Hollywood history, and he helped to shape the American film industry for decades.

The Early Years

Cecil B. DeMille was born Henry Cecil Blount DeMille on August 12, 1881, in Ashfield, Massachusetts. He was the son of Henry Churchill DeMille, a playwright and theater manager, and Beatrice Samuel, an actress. DeMille's father died when he was young, and his mother remarried to Samuel L. Goldenberg, a wealthy businessman.

DeMille attended Pennsylvania Military College and Columbia University, but he dropped out of both schools to pursue a career in the theater. He made his Broadway debut in 1900, and he quickly became a successful actor. In 1908, he married Constance Adams, an actress who would later become his leading lady in many of his films.

The Move to Hollywood

In 1913, DeMille moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in film. He signed a contract with the Jesse Lasky Feature Play Company, and he directed his first film, The Squaw Man, in 1914. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to launch DeMille's career as a director.

Over the next few years, DeMille directed a number of successful films, including The Call of the North (1914),The Girl of the Golden West (1915),and The Cheat (1915). In 1918, he founded his own production company, Cecil B. DeMille Pictures Corporation.

The Golden Age of Hollywood

The 1920s and 1930s were the golden age of Hollywood, and DeMille was one of the most successful directors of the era. He directed a number of classic films during this period, including The Ten Commandments (1923),Ben-Hur (1925),and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).

DeMille's films were known for their lavish productions, their epic themes, and their star-studded casts. He was also a pioneer in the use of new technologies, such as sound and color.

The Later Years

DeMille continued to direct films into the 1950s and 1960s. He directed his last film, The Buccaneer, in 1958. He died in 1959, at the age of 77.

DeMille was one of the most successful directors in Hollywood history. He made over 70 films, many of which were groundbreaking and influential. He was a pioneer in the use of new technologies, and he was also a master of marketing and promotion. DeMille's films helped to define the American film industry, and he will always be remembered as one of the great directors of all time.

Legacy

Cecil B. DeMille's legacy is immense. He was one of the most successful directors in Hollywood history, and his films helped to define the American film industry. He was a pioneer in the use of new technologies, and he was also a master of marketing and promotion.

DeMille's films are still enjoyed by audiences today, and they continue to be influential. He is considered to be one of the greatest directors of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers for generations to come.

Here are some of DeMille's most famous films:

* The Squaw Man (1914) * The Call of the North (1914) * The Girl of the Golden West (1915) * The Cheat (1915) * The Ten Commandments (1923) * Ben-Hur (1925) * The King of Kings (1927) * The Sign of the Cross (1932) * Union Pacific (1939) * Reap the Wild Wind (1942) * The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) * The Ten Commandments (1956) * The Buccaneer (1958)

DeMille's films are a testament to his genius as a director. He was able to create films that were both entertaining and thought-provoking. He was a master of spectacle, but he also had a deep understanding of human nature.

DeMille's films continue to be enjoyed by audiences today, and they continue to be influential. He is considered to be one of the greatest directors of all time, and his legacy will continue to inspire filmmakers for generations to come.

The Man Who Made the Movies: The Meteoric Rise and Tragic Fall of William Fox

by Vanda Krefft

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8286 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	965 pages
X-Ray	:	Enabled

FREE