Samson and Delilah Reviews

Late but classic Cecil B. DeMille blockbuster, and one of the director's top money-makers, about biblical strong man Samson (Victor Mature), vanquished by the soft curves of the vixen Delilah (Hedy Lamarr). SAMSON AND DELILAH was tried and true ground for the great DeMille, best remembered for his spectacular interpretations of the Bible (KING OF KINGS, SIGN OF THE CROSS, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS) and other extravagant historical recreations (CLEOPATRA, THE CRUSADES). Here DeMille, the master of the crowd scene, is in top form managing thousands of extras, particularly in the savage battle scenes in which Samson destroys the Philistine army with the jawbone of an ass. DeMille spent $3 million to film the Old Testament story, but the movie gained enormous and immediate returns, filling Paramount's coffers with more than $12 million from its initial release, the largest box-office take the studio had enjoyed to date.