Cleopatra | Hollywood Yesterday

Claudette Colbert: Breathtaking in the Role of Cleopatra!

June 19, 2021 By Joi Leave a Comment

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Some Old Hollywood stars were so exquisite… so perfect… so breathtaking… in a particular role that it seems they were born to play it. Claudette Colbert, as Cleopatra, is one that comes to mind. Yes… I understand that Claudette was born in France and that it is COMPLETELY doubtful that she resembled Cleopatra in the least, but come on… it’s Hollywood – if someone can’t manage to “make believe” and leave reality behind long enough to enjoy a movie, I don’t know what to tell them. All I know is I’d never want to watch a movie with them!

Cleopatra (1934) was directed by one of the best to ever sit in a director’s chair, Cecil B. DeMille. The movie starred Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony.

Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert: Cleopatra Promotional Photo

October 1, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Henry Wilcoxon and Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Cleopatra (1934) was beautifully directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The cast includes Claudette Colbert as Cleopatra, Warren William as Julius Caesar, Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Anthony, Joseph Schildkraut as Herod, and Ian Keith as Octavian.

This is one of those larger than life movies that I love to rewatch as often as possible. I literally notice something new each time I watch this gorgeous movie.

You can find Cleopatra (1934) on dvd (Amazon link).

Claudette Colbert: Born on this Date in 1903

September 13, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

One of the most extraordinary actresses of all time was born on this date in Saint Mandé, France in 1903. This is an actress with a filmography that’s so remarkable – not just in quantity but quality as well.

Below are my… as of now… personal favorite Claudette Colbert movies (each link leads to the film on Amazon Prime or dvd). I know, as I watch more of her films, I’ll pick up new favorites to add along the way.

It Happened One Night (1934, directed by Frank Capra), co-starring Clark Gable. This film is so popular for a very good reason – it’s outstanding and the humor stands the test of time. It Happened One Night is also available on dvd.
Cleopatra (1934, directed by Cecil B DeMille), co-starring Warren William as Julius Caesar and Henry Wilcoxon as Marc Antony. Visually stunning and the acting is superb.
I Met Him in Paris (1937, directed by Wesley Ruggles), co-starring two of my favorite actors – Melvyn Douglas and Robert Young. They (like Claudette, herself) are wonderful in everything!
The Sign of the Cross (1932, directed by Cecil B. DeMille), co-starring Fredric March and Charles Laughton. Beautiful and lush, as you’d always expect from Cecil B. DeMille.

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor, STUNNING Promotional Pictures from Cleopatra

May 16, 2020 By Joi Leave a Comment

There is beautiful, then there is BEAUTIFUL. Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra was the latter.

Boy, was she ever the latter!

Yes, one could (and should) make the case that Elizabeth Taylor as Elizabeth Taylor was always the latter as well… but let’s just keep with the theme here for now.

Cleopatra (1963) is what I always think of as a “jaw-dropping” movie. Simply because you find yourself having to pick your jaw up so many times during the movie! Whether it’s the sets, Elizabeth Taylor’s outrageous beauty, Elizabeth Taylor’s outrageous talent, Rex Harrison’s talent, or Richard Burton’s next level performance as Mark Antony. Burton was a phenomenal actor and honestly deserves more credit than he gets. Being remembered as Elizabeth Taylor’s soulmate is, in and of itself, monumental, of course – but this was one of the greatest actors of all time.

If you doubt a word of that, please see Cleopatra (whether it’s for the first time or 20th).

Buy Cleopatra (dvd) on Amazon or watch on Prime.