Released - September, 1953 

Directed By - Henry Koster

Starring - Richard Burton (Marcellus Gallio), Jean Simmons (Diana), Victor Mature (Demetrius), Michael Rennie (Peter).

Description – Marcellus Gallio is is Roman military tribune in charge of the unit assigned to crucify Jesus. Drinking and gambling after the crucifixion, Marcellus wins Jesus’ robe in a dice game.

The stage was set for this scenerio when Marcellus wins an auction against  Emperor Tiberius’ heir Caligula for defiant slave Demetrius who is then released from slavery by Marcellus. In gratitude, Demetrius becomes a personal servant to Marcellus. Embarrassed by the slave suction loss, Caligula arranges for Marcellus transfer to Jerusalem.

Owning the robe proves to be a turning point in the life of Marcellus. Wearing the robe during a rain, Marcellus immediately begins feeling remorse for the crucifixion and experiences a painful seizure. He then orders Demetrius to remove the robe from him.

The Christian Demetrius, offended by Marcellus’ treatment of Jesus robe, curses him and the whole Roman Empire and runs away with the robe.

Marcellus continues to be tormented by nightmares and delusions regarding the crucifixion, and although still not believing in Jesus, is determined to find out more about the man he killed. He believes this is the only way to live with himself.

NOTABLE: The Robe won two Oscar’s: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Color, and Best Costume Design, Color. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Richard Burton), and Best Cinematography, Color.

This motion picture was the first released in widescreen CinemaScope and required a curved screen for viewing. Not all theaters were equipped for this and a second was produced in the standard screen ratio.

The role of Marcellus was first offered to Tyrone Power, who chose instead to perform in the Broadway play “John Brown’s Body.” This proved to be a poor choice as the play was not a hit and closed after only 65 performances.

Although he was nominated for an Oscar, Richard Burton has said that this was his least favorite of all his films.

It has been rumored that actor Stewart Granger once threatened Richard Burton with a gun believing Burton to be having an affair with his wife Jean Simmons during filming.

Personal Note: The 1950′s produced a number of what were considered Biblical epics, or grand scale films about Jesus or other religious figures. They include Quo Vadis (1951), The Ten Commandments (1956, and my personal favorite), and Ben Hur (1959).

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The Robe

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Released - August, 1953 

Directed By - Fred Zinnemann

Starring – Burt Lancaster (Sgt. Milton Warden), Montgomery Clift (Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt), Deborah Kerr (Karen Holmes), Donna Reed (Alma ‘Lorene’ Burke), Frank Sinatra (Pvt. Angelo Maggio).

Description – In the months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Pvt. Robert E. Lee Prewitt has reported for duty on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Pvt. Prewitt has transferred from a previous duty station after a serious accident during a base boxing match that resulted in the blinding of a friend while sparring.

His new company commander and Regimental boxing head, Capt. Dana Holmes knows of Prewitt’s boxing skills and wants him to join the company’s boxing club in time to help the company win a scheduled boxing championship. In return, Holmes promises Prewitt a promotion.

Prewitt refuses, not wanting to fight again after the tragic accident at his last duty station. Capt. Holmes’s adjutant, Sgt. Milton Warden, warns Prewitt about going against the wishes of the Captain. Almost immediately, Capt. Holmes encourages the other team members to relentlessly harass Prewitt in the hope of pressuring him to join the team.

Capt. Holmes’s wife Karen visits the base and Sgt. Warden, upon hearing of her “reputation” visits their home knowing the Captain is not there and makes a pass at Mrs. Holmes. Initially, she is not interested, but it isn’t long before the two begin a torrid affair.

After a payday, Prewitt and his friend Pvt. Angelo Maggio visit the New Congress Club where Prewitt meets and becomes infatuated with hostess Lorene Burke, and a drunken Pvt. Maggio has a confrontation with stockade Sgt. Judson.

Each of these personal story’s will continue to become more complicated with a great deal of tragedy inevitable. The military and private lives of those serving at Schofield Barracks on the island of Oahu will never be the same.

As for the impending attack by the Japanese, all hell is about to break loose.

NOTABLE: From Here to Eternity won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Fred Zinnemann), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Frank Sinatra), Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Donna Reed), Best Writing, Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound, Recording. The film also received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Burt Lancaster), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Deborah Kerr), Best Costume Design, Black-and-White, and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

In 2002, this motion picture was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.

Although dismissed by cast and crew, it has been rumored that Frank Sinatra, who had been in a downside to his career, was given this role due to his reputed association with organized crime. This rumor was the basis for a subplot in the film The Godfather.

Based on the steamy novel by author James Jones, the film had a rough time with the censors. The famous beach scene between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr was toned down from the novel where making it less obvious that the two had sex. Also, Sinatra’s character, Sgt Maggio, was in the novel portrayed as a male hustler.

The on-screen chemistry between Lancaster and Kerr apparently continued off-screen as the pair reportedly became romantically involved during filming.

Actor Eli Wallach originally was set to play Sgt. Maggio. However, he turned the role down in order to appear in Elia Kazan’s Broadway production of “Camino Real.” This opened the door for the Oscar winning performance of Frank Sinatra in the role.

Due to the negative portrayal of the U. S. Army in the novel changes had to be made before filming would be approved. A brothel became a night club, whore’s became hostesses, much of the profanity was removed, brutal treatment in the stockade was lessened, and the fate of Capt. Holmes changed from him being promoted to his discharge from the service.

Author James Jones was not happy with the film adaptation of his novel. He believed it to be “too sanitized.”

Burt Lancaster was a little nervous about this role. Previously, his films had a lighter side to them and he was slightly intimidated by the acting skill of Montgomery Clift.

From Here to Eternity’s eight winning Oscars tied for the most Oscars won, up to that time, with Gone With the Wind.

Personal Note: This motion picture is a riveting look at military personal lives. Although toned down from the novel, the film still is a powerful masterpiece featuring a great story, great direction, and solid performances. 

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Released - June, 1953 

Directed By - Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Starring- Marlon Brando (Mark Antony), James Mason (Brutus), John Gielgud (Cassius), Louis Calhern (Julius Caesar), Edmond O’Brien (Casca), Greer Garson (Calpurnia), Deborah Kerr (Portia).

Description – This is the film adaptation of the play written by William Shakespeare. It’s 44 B.C. and Rome is celebrating Julius Caesar’s triumph of Pompey. However, not everyone is happy with the victory.

Among the dissatisfied are two former comrades of Caesar, Brutus and Cassius. They fear Caesar’s rule will lead only to tyranny and the only act that would prevent this from happening  would be the death of Caesar.

While celebrating his victory, Caesar is approached by a soothsayer who warns him to “beware the ides of March.”

Caesar’s wife, Calpurnia, has a dream that she believes is a premonition of a bleeding and dying Caesar. She tells him of this dream and implores him to not go to the Senate that day. Caesar almost gives in to his wife’s fears, but is talked into going to the Senate as this day is the day chosen to give him his crown.

Inside the Senate, the conspirators stab Caesar to death. Upon hearing of this killing Mark Antony vows to avenge the death of Caesar.

Brutus convinces the Romans that Caesar had become too ambitious and that he loved Rome more and would lead them. For the time being he gains their confidence, that is until Mark Antony make a passionate speech revealing the conspiracy and showing the Romans that Caesar’s will had left all of his wealth to the people.

The conspirators are driven from the city, but still have an army ready to stand behind them. Mark Antony forms another army of loyal Romans and the two prepare for a bloody showdown.

NOTABLE: Julius Caesar won the Academy Award for Best Art Decoration-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, and also received nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Marlon Brando), Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, and Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

Marlon Brando’s nomination was his third in three years. The others were for the films A Streetcar Named Desire and Viva Zapata.

Julius Caesar

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Released - December, 1952 

Directed By - Daniel Mann

Starring – Burt Lancaster (Doc Delaney), Shirley Booth (Lola Delaney), Terry Moore (Marie Buckholder).

Description – Doc and Lola Delaney are a mismatched couple living a loveless marriage. Doc became a chiropractor, and lives a bitter and unfulfilled life due to not becoming a “real doctor,” disappointment for which he blames Lola and treats heavily with alcohol.

Lola is middle-aged, anguished, and broken hearted over the loss of a baby during pregnancy. She is also lonely as she has lost her dog Sheba, her long-time companion, and an outlet for the love and affection she longs to be able to give.

In an effort to fill some of the emptiness, Lola decides to rent a room in the house to young college student Marie Buckholder.

However, this action will only make things more difficult. What’s Marie’s crime? She’s beautiful; too beautiful. Things are going to get complicated.

NOTABLE: Come Back, Little Sheba won one Academy Award; Best Actress in a Leading Role (Shirley Booth), and was also nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Terry Moore), and Best Film Editing.

This was the film debut for Shirley Booth who won an Oscar for her performance.

Come Back, Little Sheba

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Released – December, 1952 

Directed By - Vincente Minnelli

Starring - Lana Turner (Georgia Lorrison), Kirk Douglas (Jonathan Shields), Walter Pidgeon (Harry Pebbel), Dick Powell (James Lee Bartlow), Barry Sullivan (Fred Amiel), Gloria Grahame (Rosemary Bartlow).

Description – This is the melodramatic story of ambitious film producer Jonathan Shields and those who he has used and betrayed for his career.

Shields meets aspiring director Fred Amiel at his father’s funeral and partners with him making low-budget films for Harry Pebbel. Amiel has been working on a personal project he believes is now ready to present to Pebbel for production.

Shields offers to pitch the idea to the studio and is given a large budget to get the film produced. One problem, Shields must betray Amiel and hire only an experienced director for the project, which he readily does.

Next, comes alcholic actress Georgia Lorrison, the daughter of a famous actor Shields admired. He decides to use her in a film and procedes to build up her confidence and romance her to the point of her falling in love with him. Shields is perfectly happy letting think that he also loves her…in order to get the performance he wants out of her for his film.

James Lee Bartlow is a small college professor who has written a best selling book that Shields wants to turn into a film. While Bartlow has no interest, his wife does. Bartlow agrees to work with Shields in order to satisfy his wife.

Rosemary Bartlow proves to be a distraction to her husband and the progress of Shield’s film. He decides to remedy the situation by having her “entertained” by an actor friend to keep her busy allowing her husband to complete work on the film.

Three relationships with Shields result in three ruined lives. However, Shields must be very careful; what goes around usually comes around.

NOTABLE: This motion picture won five Academy Awards; Best Actress in a Supporting role (Gloria Grahame), Best Writing, Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Black-and-White, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, and Best Costume Design, Black-and-White. The film also received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Kirk Douglas).

In 2002, this film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

The Bad and the Beautiful holds the record for the most Oscars’s won without having been nominated for Best Picture.

Actor Kirk Douglas was given this role after it had been turned down by Clark Gable and gave one of the best performances of his career.

Personal Note: This is old Hollywood perfection. Great performances by the entire cast, with many feeling that this was Lana Turner’s finest work.

The Bad and the Beautiful

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