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The Sign Of The Cross - 1932
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Our next film is 1932's "The Sign Of The Cross", an epic masterpiece by Cecil B. DeMille, in which we see a Roman officer fall in love with a condemned Christian woman. Their relationship has consequences at the highest levels of the Roman court and is watched by a very jealous empress.
The film's cast includes Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, Ian Keith, Arthur Hohl, Harry Beresford, Tommy Conlon, Vivian Tobin, Nat Pendleton, Mischa Auer, and Lionel Belmore.
As Rome burns in the year 64 AD, Nero's frightened courtiers look on as their emperor rejoices in the flames that destroy the city. To shift the blame for the fire, Nero announces that the perpetrators are the Christians who reside in the city. An order goes out that they are to be arrested to be used at "games". The most dangerous of them are to be killed on the spot.
Shortly afterwards, Christians are rounded up by the dozens. A young woman named Mercia comes to the aid of two alleged Christians. She is questioned by Marcus Superbus, the Prefect of Rome.
Silent sparks fly between the two. Marcus is besotted enough to forget the Emperor's orders and let Mercia and the two men she's protecting go. He even sends someone to find out exactly who she is so that he can meet with her later.
The empress's lady-in-waiting Dacia observes the events. She tells Marcus that the empress is expecting him immediately. Marcus decides not to meet with her so that he can pursue Mercia. Dacia heads to the palace immediately.
At the palace, we find Empress Poppaea bathing in donkey's milk. The palace cats especially enjoy bath time as it means a free meal.
Poppaea is very disappointed when she learns from Dacia that Marcus won't be paying her a visit.
Meanwhile, Marcus finds Mercia and the two spend time together. Mercia comes to feel a great affection for Marcus, who already admits to loving her. He even overlooks the fact that she is a Christian and condemned under the law.
While on an important mission on Mercia's behalf, Marcus runs across Empress Poppaea. He ignites her ire when he hurriedly leaves her to attend to the business at hand.
A raid on a Christian meeting causes the arrest of a large number of Christians. Many are killed. Marcus's chief rival personally arrests Mercia. However, Marcus whispers to his guard to have Mercia brought to his house later in the night.
While at the palace later on, Poppaea plays with her pet leopard while she awaits a visit from Marcus.
She becomes very upset when he spurns her advances and admits his love for Mercia, whom Poppaea knows is staying at his home.
Poppaea goes to her husband Nero and has him personally order Mercia's arrest.
With the emperor's order in his hand, Marcus can do nothing but watch as Mercia is led away to the arena dungeon to be with the rest of the Christians.
Marcus goes to Nero and intercedes on Mercia's behalf. Poppaea counsels her husband not to be lenient and to let the death order stand.
Nero tells Marcus that Mercia can live if she renounces her faith and adopts the lifestyle of Rome.
When Marcus spurns her advances yet again, Poppaea has one last trick up her sleeve that she hopes will drive Marcus into her arms.
Nero's "games" are scheduled to begin in the arena. Thousands have come to watch the spectacle, which includes gladiator fights and a large number of wild animals.
The horrors imposed on the victims are truly atrocious. Elephants stamping on people, alligators ripping people apart, spiked wrestling, and other "entertainments" thrill the wild, hedonistic crowd.
The Christians are reserved for last. Here, Nero sets his lions among them in order to kill every last one. Large numbers of hungry, roaring lions emerge from their pens below the arena to await the Christians as they enter the main arena gallery.
By order of the empress, Mercia is to be left for last so that Marcus can watch her death without any distractions. After all the others have gone, Marcus goes to her and urges her to renounce her Christian faith. Mercia refuses.
Encouraged by her faith, Marcus decides to accept Christianity as his religion so that he can have the hope that she has and so that they can be together after death.
When Mercia's time is announced, Marcus takes her by the hand and together they enter the arena to face Nero's lions.
Cast rundown:
Fredric March.................................Marcus Superbus
Elissa Landi....................................Mercia
Claudette Colbert............................Empress Poppaea
Charles Laughton............................Emperor Nero
Ian Keith........................................Tigellinus
Arthur Hohl.....................................Titus
Harry Beresford...............................Favius Fontellus
Tommy Conlon................................Stephan
Vivian Tobin....................................Dacia
Nat Pendleton..................................Strabo
Mischa Auer....................................Christian In Dungeon
Lionel Belmore................................Bettor Of 300 Silver
And that's it for The Sign Of The Cross. This was Claudette Colbert's first "wicked" role, and she thoroughly enjoyed playing it. Up until this she had been cast as a sweet, innocent type in all of her films.
For the bath sequence, the "donkey's" milk was actually powdered cow's milk. The scene took several days to shoot, and the milk was never emptied from the bathtub during that time. Eventually, the milk began to sour after a few days under hot lights. It was extremely difficult for Claudette Colbert to work with the stench surrounding her.
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