Samson and Delilah (1949 film)

Samson and Delilah
Original theatrical release poster
Directed byCecil B. DeMille
Screenplay by
Based on
Produced byCecil B. DeMille
Starring
CinematographyGeorge Barnes
Edited byAnne Bauchens
Music byVictor Young
Color processTechnicolor
Production
company
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
  • December 21, 1949 (1949-12-21) (New York City)
  • January 13, 1950 (1950-01-13) (Los Angeles)
Running time
134 minutes[1] (with overture and exit music)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.9[2]–3.1 million[3]
Box office$25.6 million[4]

Samson and Delilah is a 1949 American romantic biblical drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and released by Paramount Pictures. It depicts the biblical story of Samson, a strongman whose secret lies in his uncut hair, and his love for Delilah, the woman who seduces him, discovers his secret, and then betrays him to the Philistines. It stars Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, George Sanders as the Saran, Angela Lansbury as Semadar, and Henry Wilcoxon as Prince Ahtur.

Pre-production on the film began as early as 1935, but principal photography officially commenced in 1948. The screenplay, written by Jesse L. Lasky Jr. and Fredric M. Frank, is based on the biblical Book of Judges and adapted from an original film treatment by Harold Lamb, also drawing from Vladimir Jabotinsky's 1927 novel Samson the Nazarite.

Upon its release, the film was praised for its Technicolor cinematography, lead performances, costumes, sets, and innovative special effects.[5][6][7] After premiering in New York City on 21 December 1949, Samson and Delilah opened in Los Angeles on 13 January 1950. A massive commercial success, it became the highest-grossing film of 1950, and the third highest-grossing film ever at the time of its release. Of its five Academy Award nominations, the film won two for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design.[8]

  1. ^ "Samson and Delilah (1949)". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  2. ^ "'Samson' At $2,900,000, 600G Under Budget". Variety. January 5, 1949. p. 21. Retrieved March 10, 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  3. ^ Birchard 2009, p. 334.
  4. ^ Block, Alex Ben (2010). George Lucas's Blockbusting: A Decade-by-Decade Survey of Timeless Movies Including Untold Secrets of Their Financial and Cultural Success. HarperCollins. p. 323. ISBN 9780061963452.
  5. ^ Crowther, Bosley (December 22, 1949). "The New York Times – Movie Review: Samson and Delilah (1949)". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  6. ^ "Variety – Review: "Samson and Delilah". Variety. January 1950. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  7. ^ McKay 2013, p. 76.
  8. ^ "The 23rd Academy Awards (1951)". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 4, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2018.