Cleopatra

(Cecil B. DeMille, US 1934, 100 min., 35mm)

Eastman Entertains. Amid intensifying censorship, DeMille succeeded once again to make a box-office hit. After The Sign of Cross (1932), which launched Claudette Colbert to stardom, he returned to her to deliver a very sensual portrait of legendary Cleopatra. Swaying her hips in magnificent gowns across lavish sets, the Queen of Egypt tries to defend the interests of her country by successively seducing Roman Emperor Julius Cesar (Warren William), as well as soldier and follower of the Emperor, Marc Antony (Henry Wilcoxon). An eagle eye might spot David Niven and John Carradine making their Hollywood debuts among the extras.