Cecil B. DeMille collection

Catalogued by Maxwell, Genevieve
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
333 S La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Published January 2023


Descriptive Summary

Abstract: The collection is comprised of material assembled and separated from the Cecil B. DeMille Photographs during processing. The collection consists primarily of script and research material for SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949), clippings, miscellaneous papers related to Paramount Studios, and correspondence, including a telegram from Douglas Fairbanks to DeMille about the founding of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1927. The collection also includes clippings and promotional information related to DeMille’s Mercury Aviation Company. There is also a drawing by Frederick Stover dating from 1941 of Grauman's Chinese Theater.
Collector: DeMille, Cecil B.
Dates: 1916-1980
Dates: 1930-1950
Collection number: 231
Collection Size: 1.8 linear ft. of papers 5 item(s) of artworks
Repository: Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

Access

Available by appointment only.

Publication Rights

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.

Preferred Citation

Cecil B. DeMille collection, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Mrs. Cecilia DeMille Harper and Mrs. Cecilia Presley, both on behalf of the Cecil B. DeMille Trust, 1981

Biography

Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959) was one of the motion picture industry's most prominent and successful pioneers. He began his career as an actor and playwright, often working with his brother William and producer David Belasco. In 1913 he formed a partnership with Jesse Lasky and Samuel Goldfish (later Goldwyn) called the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. The partners traveled to California to film the first feature-length motion picture produced in Hollywood, "The Squaw Man" (1914). The film, co-directed by DeMille, was a critical and financial success. The Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company soon merged with Adolph Zukor's Famous Players Film Company and ultimately became Paramount Pictures, where DeMille became a leading producer. By the 1920s DeMille became known for a series of successful, sophisticated sex comedies, many starring Gloria Swanson. In the 1930s and 1940s DeMille produced and directed memorable epic action-adventure films such as "The Sign of the Cross" (1932), "Cleopatra" (1934), "The Crusades" (1935) and "Samson and Delilah" (1949). In the 1950s DeMille made two of his best remembered films: "The Greatest Show on Earth" (winner of the 1952 Best Picture Academy Award) and "The Ten Commandments" (a 1956 Best Picture nominee).

Arrangement of the Collection

1. Production files; 2. Subject files

Indexing terms

DeMille, Cecil B.
Directors
Producers
Screenwriters


 

Manuscripts

 

Production files

folder 1

THE BUCCANEER--correspondence 1959--1959

Record ID: 71565037

Scope and Content Note

photocopy of letter from William Holliday of Paramount Film Distributing Corp. [New Orleans] to Gladys Percey [Paramount Studio librarian] clarifing research for THE BUCCANEER [unclear whether for the 1938 or 1958 version] compiled by Anthony Patorno stating "He [Patorno] has outlined, as per the attached, his findings with regards to the letter..." attached to a document titled "Concerning Letter Supposed To Have Been Brought Back From New Orleans by DeMille Unit During Year 1937," January 19, 1959
folder 2

JOAN THE WOMAN--miscellaneous 1916--1956

Record ID: 71565040

Scope and Content Note

promotional clippings and review; carbon copy of letter from Marianna Richter [presumably of Paramount] to Peer Oppenheimer, "Family Weekly" magazine saying she has sent a photocopy of a 1916 "Vanity Fair" article on Geraldine Farrar and asking Oppenheimer for a copy of the issue of "Family Weekly" in which his article on "Joan" will appear, December 17, 1956
folder 3

JOAN THE WOMAN--screenings Circa 1916--1916

Record ID: 71565041

Scope and Content Note

promotional "Memoranda for National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, In connection with special showing of "Joan The Woman" at the 44th Street Theatre, Friday night, December 22d." including sections "Title," "The Star," "The Director," "The Cast," "The Story," undated
folder 4

SAMSON AND DELILAH--script 1948--1948

Record ID: 71565048

Scope and Content Note

script by Jesse L. Lasky Jr. and Frederic M. Frank, September 7, 1948, 186 pages
folder 5

SAMSON AND DELILAH--correspondence 1949--1949

Record ID: 71565044

Scope and Content Note

letter from Albert Deane, "Paramount International News" to DeMille saying "The attached represents our usage of the stills you sent in connection with our cover request. Hedy not only makes the world's best Delilah--she's also a 'cover' girl" June 2, 1949; letter from Phil Koury in response to letter from Deane thanking him for his treatment of SAMSON AND DELILAH in the "Paramount International News," June 13, 1949
folder 6

SAMSON AND DELILAH--research 1935--1949

Record ID: 71565045

Scope and Content Note

typewritten research handbook for SAMSON AND DELILAH by Henry S. Noerdlinger, Helen Gladys Percey and Research Staff [Paramount] providing information on a selection of subjects, including historical information, translations of relevant words into Hebrew, Arabic, Babylonian and Egyptian, approximately 203 pages, October 21, 1948 [includes "Bibliography and Sources of Information 1935-1949, Compiled by: Elizabeth Higgason Research Department Paramount Pictures Inc." 76 pages]
folder 7

SAMSON AND DELILAH--research 1948--1948

Record ID: 71565046

Scope and Content Note

typewritten research handbook for SAMSON AND DELILAH by Henry S. Noerdlinger, Helen Gladys Percey and Research Staff [Paramount] providing information on a selection of subjects, including historical information, translations of relevant words into Hebrew, Arabic, Babylonian and Egyptian, approximately 127 pages, October 21, 1948
folder 8

SAMSON AND DELILAH--research 1935--1949

Record ID: 71565047

Scope and Content Note

bound typewritten "Bibliography and Sources of Information 1935-1949, Compiled by: Elizabeth Higgason Research Department Paramount Pictures Inc." 76 pages [accompanied SAMSON AND DELILAH research handbook]
folder 9

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS--interviews Circa 1949--1949

Record ID: 71565049

Scope and Content Note

interviews with Anne Baxter, Don Robb [unit production manager], Edward G. Robinson, Charlton Heston, Sir Cedric Hardwicke, Julia Faye, Bob Goodstein [head prop man], Chico Day [first assistant director], Yul Brynner, Yvonne De Carlo about working with DeMille on THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), 29 pages [lightly annotated]
folder 10

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS--miscellaneous 1957--1957

Record ID: 71565051

Scope and Content Note

photocopy of City of Las Vegas "Proclamation" by C.D. Baker [Mayor of Las Vegas] proclaiming October 2, 1957 to be "The Ten Commandments Day" and "...from that day through the concluding performance of 'The Ten Commandments' shown in this city at the El Portal Theater, to be 'The Ten Commandments Week'..." signed and dated October 2, 1957
folder 11

UNION PACIFIC--clippings 1939--1939

Record ID: 71565042

Scope and Content Note

clippings of press coverage of UNION PACIFIC premiere publicity, primarily covering a "rail caravan" carrying DeMille, cast and crew members by train from Los Angeles to the Omaha, Nebraska world premiere with multiple publicity stops in U.S. cities on the way
folder 12

UNION PACIFIC--reviews 1939--1939

Record ID: 71565043

Scope and Content Note

 

Subject files

folder 13

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences--correspondence 1927--1927

Record ID: 71565052

Scope and Content Note

two telegrams concerning the founding of the Academy: Douglas Fairbanks to Cecil B. DeMille "...We are now preparing for a big organization dinner and would appreciate it immenseley [sic] if you will authorize the use of your name as one of the sponsors. Will Hays can give you further particulars regards and best wishes for your big opening," April 22, 1927 [two pages]; telegram of DeMille's reply "...I am much interested in the forming of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and gladly authorize you to use my name as one of the sponsors of it," April 22, 1927 [one page]
folder 14

Actresses--photographs

Record ID: 71565077

Scope and Content Note

reproductions of autographed publicity portraits of Clara Kimball Young, Theda Bara, Edna Mayo, Gail Kane, Vivian Martin and Marguerite Snow
folder 15

Aviation--miscellaneous 1919--1972

Record ID: 71565087

Scope and Content Note

clippings on DeMille's Mercury Aviation Company [founded 1919]; copy of Mercury Aviation Co. "Flying: The New Industry" promotional booklet, 1919; copy of "Popular Aviation" magazine with article "DeMille, The Airman" by Kurt Rand, September 1939; typewritten and carbon copy of "Brief Account of Mercury Aviation Company" by Cecil B. DeMille, 10 pages, September 30, 1953; photocopy of article "That Great Extravaganza In the Sky" about DeMille's aviation company in "Air Classics" magazine, September, 1967; copy of "TWA Ambassador" magazine with article "Ready When You Are, C.B." January 1972
folder 16

Birthdays--miscellaneous Circa 1955--1957

Record ID: 71565102

Scope and Content Note

carbon copy of DeMille's birthday speech, 1 page, August 12, 1955 [3 copies]; typewritten and carbon copies of Paramount press releases for DeMille's 76th birthday [August 12, 1957], approximately 35 pages
folder 17

Clippings 1980--1980

Record ID: 71565104

Scope and Content Note

folder 18

DeMille, Spencer

Record ID: 71565105

Scope and Content Note

photocopy of page listing deaths of DeMille family members with note "Mr. Hayne: This is the photostat of the page in the Bible brought out by Spencer deMille"
folder 19

Harper, Joe--clippings

Record ID: 71565107

Scope and Content Note

photocopy of article on Joe Harper [grandson of Cecil B. DeMille]
folder 20

Lasky Barn--clippings 1956--1956

Record ID: 71565163

Scope and Content Note

clippings related to the 1956 dedication of the "Cecil B. DeMille Studio Barn" as a California historical landmark [barn was originally located at the corner of Selma and Vine Streets, in 1927 was transferred to Paramount Studios and has also been referred to as the "Lasky-DeMille Barn"]
folder 21

Los Angeles Times Contest--clippings 1922--1922

Record ID: 71565125

Scope and Content Note

photocopy of print and negative of "Los Angeles Times" article on DeMille's 1922 contest offering $1,000 for a winning idea for his next film, October 8, 1922
folder 22

Notes 1973--1973

Record ID: 71565159

Scope and Content Note

miscellaneous handwritten and typewritten notes
folder 23

Paradise Ranch--poster artwork 1942--1942

Record ID: 71565164

Scope and Content Note

photocopies of handmade poster by Arthur Umiker [DeMille's driver] of map from Paramount studio and DeMille's home to his "Paradise Ranch" with title "The Road To Paradise," August, 1942
folder 25

Silent Movie Theater--correspondence 1950--1958

Record ID: 71565106

Scope and Content Note

letters from John Hampton of Dorothy and John Hampton's Shrine of the Old Time Silent Pictures [Silent Movie Theater, Fairfax district, Los Angeles] to Gladys Rosson and Shirley Woodbury [DeMille's secretaries] regarding requests for stills from THE ROAD TO YESTERDAY to coincide with screenings of the film
folder 26

Zukor, Adolph--miscellaneous 1953--1953

Record ID: 71565168

Scope and Content Note

invitation, programs and clippings related to Paramount's honoring of Adolph Zukor on his 80th birthday, January 7, 1953
 

Oversize

folder 27

THE GODLESS GIRL--clippings 1928--1928

Record ID: 71565173

Scope and Content Note

loose scrapbook pages with clippings on THE GODLESS GIRL, 1928
folder 28

Wisdom--periodicals 1956--1956

Record ID: 71565170

Scope and Content Note

copy of "Wisdom" magazine with Cecil B. DeMille cover and tribute article "DeMille, King of Spectacles" 4 pages, October 1956