Ten Commandments Cecil B. De Mille 8×10 Negative Film Movie Still Photo by Curtis

The Ten Commandments Cecil B. De Mille 8×10 Negative Film Movie Still Photo by Curtis

Presented is a movie still from “The Ten Commandments” (1923). Directed by Cecil B. DeMille, Paramount Pictures and Starring: Theodore Roberts, Charles de Rochefort, Estelle Taylor, Richard Dix, Julia Faye and Hugo Riesenfeld.

In the film, the first part tells the story of Moses leading the Jews from Egypt to the Promised Land, his receipt of the tablets and the worship of the golden calf. The second part shows the efficacy of the commandments in modern life through a story set in San Francisco. Two brothers, rivals for the love of Mary, also come into conflict when John discovers Dan used shoddy materials to construct a cathedral.

This 8×10 photo originates from the Howard Lakes, Minnesota collection (as presented with other items in this auction). This individual one shows two of the main actors and it came out of a group of 10 which are also in auction. The group had the original mailing envelope (dated post-1926) as shown by the picture but not included with this item. After an intial release date passed, stills like these were still produced by the original negatives by request for promotion and sent out to theaters by the studio.

Interesting background reveals that famed American Indian photographer Edward S. Curtis was an uncredited assistant cameraman and the still photographer for the film (in order to finance his own projects). He worked with Cecile B. DeMille on the film “Adam’s Rib” as well.

Photo grades as VG with expected aging/handling wear due to vintage.