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IMDbPro

Androcles and the Lion

  • 19521952
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
955
YOUR RATING
Victor Mature and Jean Simmons in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
AdventureComedyFamily
Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.Story of a Christian in ancient Rome who befriends a lion.
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
955
YOUR RATING
    • Chester Erskine
    • Nicholas Ray(uncredited)
    • Chester Erskine(screen adaptation)
    • Ken Englund(screen adaptation)
    • George Bernard Shaw(play)
  • Stars
    • Jean Simmons
    • Victor Mature
    • Alan Young
    • Chester Erskine
    • Nicholas Ray(uncredited)
    • Chester Erskine(screen adaptation)
    • Ken Englund(screen adaptation)
    • George Bernard Shaw(play)
  • Stars
    • Jean Simmons
    • Victor Mature
    • Alan Young
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos20

    Jean Simmons "Androcles and the Lion"
    Jean Simmons "Androcles and the Lion" RKO Radio Pictures
    Jean Simmons "Androcles and the Lion"
    Victor Mature, Jean Simmons, Gene Lockhart, Robert Newton, and Alan Young in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Maurice Evans, Robert Newton, and Alan Young in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Jean Simmons and Alan Young in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Robert Newton in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Victor Mature and Maurice Evans in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Victor Mature and Jean Simmons in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Alan Young in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Victor Mature in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
    Elsa Lanchester and Alan Young in Androcles and the Lion (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jean Simmons
    Jean Simmons
    • Lavinia
    Victor Mature
    Victor Mature
    • Captain
    Alan Young
    Alan Young
    • Androcles
    Robert Newton
    Robert Newton
    • Ferrovius
    Maurice Evans
    Maurice Evans
    • Emperor Antoninus (Caesar)
    Elsa Lanchester
    Elsa Lanchester
    • Megaera
    Reginald Gardiner
    Reginald Gardiner
    • Lentulus
    Gene Lockhart
    Gene Lockhart
    • Menagerie Keeper
    Alan Mowbray
    Alan Mowbray
    • Editor of Gladiators
    Noel Willman
    Noel Willman
    • Spintho
    John Hoyt
    John Hoyt
    • Cato
    Jim Backus
    Jim Backus
    • Centurion
    Lowell Gilmore
    Lowell Gilmore
    • Metellus
    Woody Strode
    Woody Strode
    • The Lion
    Lillian Clayes
    • Christian Woman
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Cording
    Harry Cording
    • Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Clint Dorrington
    • Officer in Forest
    • (uncredited)
    Dick Elliott
    Dick Elliott
    • Ox Cart Driver
    • (uncredited)
      • Chester Erskine
      • Nicholas Ray(uncredited)
      • Chester Erskine(screen adaptation)
      • Ken Englund(screen adaptation)
      • George Bernard Shaw(play) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Harpo Marx was considered for the part of Androcles at one time. This would have been the first and only speaking role of Marx's career.
    • Goofs
      The Christians sing "Onward, Christian Soldiers" - a hymn published in 1871.
    • Quotes

      Spintho: Christianity is very contagious, captain. You never can tell where it will strike next. We want to be certain that it does not strike our valiant soldiers... and their officers.

    • Crazy credits
      Opening credits prologue: ROME 161 A.D. IN THE REGION OF THE EMPEROR ANTONINUS
    • Connections
      Featured in It's Showtime (1976)
    • Soundtracks
      Onward, Christian Soldiers
      (uncredited)

      Music by Arthur Sullivan

      Words by Sabine Baring-Gould

      Sung by the marching Christians

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    A Lion Named Tommy?
    In reference to a previous comment, the Lion's name, Tommy, comes from the original text of Shaw's play at the end of Act II. Androcles also talks baby talk to the Lion while he is removing the thorn from his paw in the Prologue (or first scene) of the play. Also I think Victor Mature does a pretty good job as the Captain, although some might be put off by the clash of his accent and acting style with the rest of the mostly British cast. However, Mature's style is well suited to the no-nonsense, pragmatic officer trying desperately to save the patrician Lavinia from being sacrificed in the arena. He tells her to lie and recant her Christian beliefs if that is what it takes to save her life; then she can go home and believe whatever she wants. Mature's less polished acting style underscores his amoral pragmatism as well as his worldly desire for Lavinia. He is her temptation, her incentive the deny her faith. That she resists this demonstrates her dedication to her religion.
    helpful•8
    4
    • pholmer
    • Feb 24, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 1953 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Hollywood, California, USA
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 38 minutes
      • Black and White

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    Victor Mature and Jean Simmons in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
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    By what name was Androcles and the Lion (1952) officially released in India in English?
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