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The Sign of the Cross (1932)

Not Rated | | Drama, History | 10 February 1933 (USA)
The Sign of the Cross Poster
A Roman soldier becomes torn between his love for a Christian woman and his loyalty to Emperor Nero.

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille (as Cecil B. De Mille)

Writers:

Waldemar Young (screen play), Sidney Buchman (screen play) | 1 more credit »

Stars:

Fredric March, Claudette Colbert, Elissa Landi | See full cast & crew »
Reviews

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Nominated for 1 Oscar. See more awards »

Photos

See all 76 photos »
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Cleopatra (1934)
Certificate: Passed Biography | Drama | History
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6.9/10 X  

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The Crusades (1935)
Certificate: Passed Adventure | Drama | History
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King Richard and the Third Crusade (1190-1192) are given the DeMille treatment with more spectacle than history.

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Four Frightened People (1934)
Adventure | Drama
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Four passengers escape their bubonic plague-infested ship and land on the coast of a wild jungle. In order to reach safety they have to trek through the jungle, facing wild animals and attacks by primitive tribesmen.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
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Certificate: Passed Biography | Drama | Fantasy
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The King of Kings (1927)
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Jesus Christ faces religious and political oppression during his ministry and in the days before his death and resurrection.

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The Buccaneer (1938)
Biography | History | War
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Semi-fictional account of pirate Jean Lafitte's involvement in the War of 1812.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
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Drama | Romance
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The adoptive father of a young woman is horrified to learn she plans to marry the son of the man who accidentally killed her aunt years before.

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Union Pacific (1939)
Drama | Western
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In 1862, Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads compete westward across the wilderness toward California.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
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The recently widowed Mary Stuart returns to Scotland to reclaim her throne but is opposed by her half-brother and her own Scottish lords.

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Death Takes a Holiday (1934)
Certificate: Passed Drama | Fantasy | Romance
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The Grim Reaper takes the form of a prince in an attempt to relate to humans and, along the way, also learns what it is to love.

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Drama
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Certificate: Passed Biography | Drama | Romance
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fredric March ... Marcus Superbus, Prefect of Rome
Elissa Landi ... Mercia
Claudette Colbert ... Empress Poppaea
Charles Laughton ... Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar
Ian Keith ... Tigellinus
Arthur Hohl ... Titus
Harry Beresford ... Favius Fontelas
Tommy Conlon ... Stephan
Ferdinand Gottschalk ... Glabrio
Vivian Tobin ... Dacia
William V. Mong ... Licinius / Old Man Carrying Child
Joyzelle Joyner ... Ancaria (as Joyzelle)
Richard Alexander ... Viturius
Nat Pendleton ... Strabo
Clarence Burton Clarence Burton ... Servillius
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

After burning Rome, Emperor Nero decides to blame the Christians, and issues the edict that they are all to be caught and sent to the arena. Two old Christians are caught, and about to be hauled off, when Marcus, the highest military official in Rome, comes upon them. When he sees their stepdaughter Mercia, he instantly falls in love with her and frees them. Marcus pursues Mercia, which gets him into trouble with Emperor (for being easy on Christians) and with the Empress, who loves him and is jealous. Written by John Oswalt <jao@jao.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

pre code film | gold coin | wine | silver coin | italy | See All (73) »

Taglines:

A picture which will proudly lead all the entertainments the world has ever seen

Genres:

Drama | History

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 February 1933 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

El signo de la cruz See more »

Filming Locations:

Fresno, California, USA See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(without intermission) | (original)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Highest Grossing movie of 1932 See more »

Goofs

Nero's pet dogs are two Arabian Salukis, one of the few modern breeds that can trace its lineage to ancient times. However, that particular breed was unknown in Europe until the 12th Century, when returning Crusaders introduced them for the first time. See more »

Quotes

Emperor Nero: My head is splitting... the wine last night, the music... the delicious debauchery!
See more »

Connections

References Quo Vadis? (1901) See more »

Soundtracks

Ancaria's Song and Dance (The Naked Moon)
(1932) (uncredited)
Music by Rudolph G. Kopp
Lyrics by Sidney Buchman
Played at the orgy and danced and sung by Joyzelle Joyner
See more »

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User Reviews

 
FF to 20:38
2 April 2018 | by arfdawg-1 – See all my reviews

It's a grand scale epic, but sort of dates.

However notable for the surprise short visit of Claudette Colbert's perky breasts and full nipples at 20:38.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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