Pop Culture Flashback: The 10 Commandments (Oct. 5)

Cecil B. DeMille already made The Ten Commandments, one of the most expensive movies ever made in 1923. Then he did it again on this day in 1956.

1956: Moses Makes a Big Splash

Disney isn’t the only film studio who remakes their own movies. Cecil B. DeMille did so too. In 1923, he released the epic silent movie, The Ten Commandments which was filmed in both black-and-white and in technicolor. The set was the most expensive ever built. And it was the highest-grossing motion picture that year making over six times the budget.

Over 30 years later, DeMille released a full-color remake of the movie – which became the highest-grossing picture of 1956. DeMille was 75 years old at the time and was the oldest working director in Hollywood at the time. DeMille had an amazing tenacity. He suffered a heart attack during the making of the film, but he returned to the set two days later.

Filmed in Egypt, Mount Sinai, the Sinai Peninsula and the soundstages of Paramount Studios, The Ten Commandments tells the story of Moses (Charlton Heston) from his birth to him ascending up Mount Nebo. The movie also stars Yul Brynner (Rameses), Anne Baxter (Nefretiri) and Edward G. Robinson (Dathan). Vincent Price, who later played Egghead on Batman played Baka. Yvonne De Carlo, who is best known as Lily from The Munsters, played Moses’ wife, Sephora.

The movie was made with over 14,000 people serving as extras and 15,000 animals. Heston appeared with nine different beards throughout the film.

The Ten Commandments was DeMille’s last film. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards but only won one Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

Today, the movie remains one of the most popular films of all time. Since 1973, ABC has aired the movie every year near Easter time.

OTHER EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY:

1961 – Enjoying Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Audrey Hepburn looking at jewelry at Tiffany's through a window in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's" — Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in *Breakfast at Tiffany’s. (Paramount Pictures via TVDB)*

Even if you’ve never seen the romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s, you’ve seen images of Audrey Hepburn as the eccentric socialite Holly Golightly. But Hepburn wasn’t the first choice for the character. Directed by Blake Edwards, the movie was based on Truman Capote’s novella of the same name. He wanted Marilyn Monroe to play the part but she declined. Other choices for the part included Shirley MacLaine and Kim Novak. When Paramount chose Hepburn, Capote felt betrayed.

When it came to the leading man’s role, Steve McQueen was offered the role of Paul Varjak. So was Jack Lemmon and Robert Wagner. In the end, George Peppard won the part of the writer who moved into Holly’s apartment building. The most controversial part was filled by Mickey Rooney. He played, Mr. Yunioshi, a stereotypical caricature of a Japanese man. Needless to say, his scenes haven’t aged well.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s was nominated for five Academy Awards, but it was composer Henry Mancini won big winning two Oscars for Best Music Score and Best Song, “Moon River”.