DEMILLE CECIL B Typed Letter Signed to critic E Dalton Colli

Sale 2446 - Lot 121

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CLEOPATRA WAS "MORE LIKE A 1935 PLAY-GIRL THAN A REGAL RULER" DEMILLE, CECIL B. Typed Letter Signed, to critic E. Dalton Collins, defending the historical accuracy of the portrayals in his films of Cleopatra and Richard the Lionheart. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, "Cecil B. DeMille Productions" stationery, written on separate sheets; faint paperclip stain at upper left, folds. (MRS) Hollywood, 30 November 1935

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". . . In the first instance you cite, that of Claudette Colbert appearing more like a 1935 play-girl than a regal ruler, you will find that a deeper study of the character of Cleopatra . . . in such serious works as Arthur Weigall's Life and Times of Cleopatra and Life and Times of Marc Antony, brings forth numerous evidences of her being a play-girl 'plus.'
". . . In the case of The Crusades, you speak of the silly love-making of Richard and Berengaria and state that Richard the Lion-Heart did not waste much time with women. As a matter of fact, he was nearly always embroiled with one. . . .
"I would suggest your reading Harold Lamb's works in two volumes on The Crusades: 'Iron Men and Saints' is the title of the first and 'The Flame of Islam' is the title of the second book. These are the most authentic works on The Crusades written to date."