Skip to main content

DeMille, Cecil B. (Cecil Blount), 1881-1959

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1881 - 1959

Biographical History

Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959) was an American motion picture producer and director, considered the archetype of the American film mogul. His 70 films reflect changing American tastes and values, and he was particularly noted for his multimillion-dollar spectacles.

Cecil B. DeMille was born on August 12, 1881 in Ashfield, Massachusetts to Henry Churchill de Mille and Matilda Beatrice Samuel de Mille. DeMille started acting on Broadway in 1900, and by 1913 he joined a film studio partnership which would eventually become Paramount Pictures. DeMille had a long and storied career as a filmmaker and directed several epic films, such as the Ten Commandments (1956). DeMille died on January 21, 1959, in Hollywood, California.

Citation:
His The Royal ...

LC data base, 10/11/85 (hdg.: DeMille, Cecil Blount, 1881-1959; usage: Cecil B. DeMille); LC manual auth. cd. (also shows usage: Cecil B. De Mille)

Wikipedia, Sept. 16, 2010 (Cecil Blount DeMille; b. Aug. 12, 1881 in Ashfield, Mass.; d. Jan. 21, 1959 in Hollywood, Calif.; American film director and producer)

Turner Classic Movies database, Oct. 7, 2010 (Cecil B. DeMille Productions; est. 1921; founded by Cecil B. DeMille)

Empire of dreams, 2010: p. 212 (Cecil B. DeMille Pictures Corporation; founded by Cecil B. DeMille)

Found in 54 Collections and/or Records:

Interviews on "The Buccaneer"

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 8898
Abstract

Vinyl record of interviews on "The Buccaneer" and typed transcript of interviews.

Dates: Approximately 1958

Victor Milner papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1965
Scope and Contents

Correspondence, a scrapbook, newsclippings, telegrams, certificates, and other items. The materials deal with the motion picture industry in the United States and Milner's career as cinematagrapher. Some of the correspondence is with Cecil B. DeMille, the American motion picture producer. Also includes newspaper coverage of Milner's detention in the Soviet Zone of Germany in 1949.

Dates: 1914-1990

Lisa Mitchell papers

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2149
Scope and Contents Collection consists of correspondence, reviews, film reels, press kits, and newspaper and magazine articles written by Mitchell. Also included are photographs, posters, and other materials regarding Merlene of the Movies and Divine Mercy, No Escape. Two prospecti on proposed books about Cecil B. DeMille and the 1956 motion picture The Ten Commandments are among the materials, along with musical programs from Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, and others. Also included are video tapes of Mitchell's...
Dates: 1955-1999

Photoplay Productions documentary research

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 2995
Abstract

Videotapes and DVDs of interviews during the production of the documentaries Cecil B. DeMille: American Epicand I'm King Kong!.

Dates: 2000-2005

Photoplay Productions DVD of interview, 2000-2005

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2995 Series 3
Scope and Contents note

This series contains intervies with: Craig Barron, Rudy Behlmer, Ray Bradbury, Bob Burns, Harry Carey, Jr., Richard Cooper, Ted Curtis, James D'Arc, Ray Harryhausen, General David L. "Tex" Hill, Paul Jensen, James Karen, Terry Moore, Rebecca Prime, Daniel Selznick, David Strohmaier, Mark Vaz.

Dates: Other: 2000-2005

Photoplay Productions VHS Videotape: DeMille miscellaneous footage, 2000-2005

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2995 Series 1
Scope and Contents note

This series contains both parts of DeMille footage.

Dates: Other: 2000-2005

Photoplay Productions VHS Videotape of interview, 2000-2005

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2995 Series 2
Scope and Contents note

This series contains interviews with: Cecilia DeMille Presley; James D'Arc, Lisa Mitchell, Evelyn Keyes, Bob Birchard, Lisa Mitchell, Joseph Newman, Albert Nozarki, Elliot Reid, Charlton Heston, Joseph Newman, Richard DeMille, Elmer Bernstein, Elliot Reid, Betty Lasky, Diana Serra Carey, Mickey Moore, Pat Moore, Frank Coghlan, Diana Serra Carey, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Angela Lansbury, A.C. Lyles.

Dates: Other: 2000-2005

Screen Directors Guild minutes

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197227606107]
Identifier: MSS 5789
Scope and Contents

Photocopy of the minutes of the Screen Directors Guild meeting held on October 22, 1950. Discussion in the meeting focused on the guild's decision to institute a loyalty oath on its members, and the repercussions of that decision. Includes debate by guild president Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Cecil B. DeMille. Copy has been annotated and corrected by an unknown attendee.

Dates: 1950 October 22

Signed script for North West Mounted Police

 Collection — Box 1: [Barcode: 31197232593100]
Identifier: MSS 8833
Abstract

Copy of script for North West Mounted Police (1940) signed by the director and top-billed cast members.

Dates: 1940

Timeline Films collection of restored Mary Pickford films, 1915-1925

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2144 Series 3
Scope and Contents From the Collection: Includes two videotape documentaries about Mary Pickford, one about Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and one about the formation of United Artists. Also includes interviews with Richard DeMille, Carol Eastman, Michael Kidd, and Evelyn Keyes, that were recorded during the research phase of the Timeline documentary, "The DeMille Dynasty". There are also five Mary Pickford feature films that were restored by Timeline: "Amarilly of Clothesline Alley", "Daddy Long Legs", "Little Annie Rooney", "Madame...
Dates: Other: 1915-1925