Monday, Jun. 29, 1953

Trend

Hollywood usually bets big money when a sure thing comes along. One glance at the box-office receipts of such pictures as David and Bathsheba, Quo Vadis and Samson and Delilah proved that Biblical pictures pay off. What's more, according to Variety, the Biblical, or cast-of-thousands picture, is 1) ideal for wide-screen movies, and 2) appeals to older moviegoers who have recently been staying at home with their TVs. Variety reported last week that 13 big Bible stories were in the works:

The Ten Commandments (Cecil B. De-Mille, who made one version in 1923).

The Prodigal (M-G-M), with Ava Gardner and Vittorio Gassman.

Pilate's Wife (RKO).

Joseph and His Brethren (Louis B. Mayer).

Slaves of Babylon (Columbia).

The Story of Mary Magdalene (Columbia), with Rita Hay worth.

The Robe (20th Century-Fox), with Victor Mature.

The Story of Demetrius (20th Century-Fox); a sequel to The Robe.

The Egyptian (20th Century-Fox), possibly starring Marlon Brando.

The Queen of Sheba (20th Century-Fox).

The Story of Jezebel (20th Century-Fox).

Sins of Jezebel (Lippert Productions), with Paulette Goddard.

The Siren Jezebel (Allied Artists).

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