FILM: Cleopatra (1934)

Description

Directed by Cecil B. DeMille USA/1934/112 minutes/B&W "Cleopatra" uses well-known historical facts to form the story's outline, but the contents are pure Hollywood fantasy. Cleopatra (Claudette Colbert), who is of Greek ancestry, is the Queen of Egypt in first century B.C. Powerful Rome threatens her kingdom, and to preserve it she takes first Julius Caesar (Warren William), then Marc Anthony (Henry Wilcoxon) as lovers. But Octavius (Ian Keith) is dismissive of her charms, and vows to take Egypt as Rome's prize possession. Colbert as the flirtatious, scheming, pampered Cleopatra, was one of the most famous and successful actresses of the 1930s and 1940s, usually playing plucky heroines in romantic comedies. 1934 was a great year for Colbert, as she would win the Best Actress Oscar for "It Happened One Night". "Cleopatra" was nominated for Best Picture, but settled for Best Cinematography (Victor Milner). It was also nominated for Best Assistant Director (Cullen Tate), Best Editing (Anne Bauchens) and Best Sound (Franklin Hansen). Despite the presence of DeMille, the 1934 version of "Cleopatra" cost one-fiftieth of its 1963 successor, and was a great box office success. Free admission. Before and after the screening, view an exhibit of movie posters from around the world for the 1963 production of Cleopatra, part of a film ephemera collection by Kendall Natvig.