Description:

Cecil B. deMille
Hollywood, CA, March 18, 1957
Cecil B. deMille on his "Ten Commandments" and "freedom under God" Fantastic
TLS

Cecil Blount DeMille (1881-1959). Famed director typed letter signed "Cecil B. deMille" about his film "The Ten Commandments" and the importance of youth understanding "eternal principles of morality" along with a black and white glossy Paramount Productions promotional photo of the Hollywood icon. ALS is 1p, 8.5" x 11", on Paramount Pictures Corporation letterhead, Hollywood, California, March 18, 1957. Photo is 1p, 8" x 11" numbered in the image "P102.103" in the bottom right, USA, copyright 1934. Photo has four hole-punches along the top margin and a repaired small tear along the right edge, some other minor signs of honest wear, else fine. ALS shows light toning, slightly darker along the left edge, flattened mail folds, remnants of archival tape along the top margin, else fine and boldly signed.

Cecil B. DeMille was one of the great directors of Old Hollywood, active from 1914 through to the 1950s. His films were acclaimed for their epic scale and showmanship, none demonstrating that more so than "The Ten Commandments". Initially he made the film as a silent movie in 1923, but later in 1956, he remade it with full sound production. Being that this letter is written in 1957 it would seem it is referring to the 1956 version, about which DeMille writes "I really made the picture for young people. In their hands will lie decisions for good and evil of a magnitude that no other generation has ever been called upon to make."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 11" x 8.5"
  • Medium: TLS

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