Cecil B. DeMille's Hollywood

Appendix D

App~ndix D Film App~aranc~s by C~cil B. D~MiU~ From the beginning ofhis career Cecil B. DeMille showed a flair for selfpromotion , and having been an actor, he delighted in playing himselfonscreen . What is remarkable about many of these appearances is that the director makes no effort to smooth the edges of his personality for the public. In Hollywood Extra Girl, for example, he is seen not only as charming, dedicated, and fatherly, but also demanding, arrogant, somewhat insensitive, and forgetful of the young extra's name. To say that DeMille bares his soul in these films would be an overstatement, but, as in his autobiography, these brief portraits demonstrate that he was willing to acknowledge his own shortcomings. The following listing is certainly incomplete, but it gives an idea of the range of his on-screen appearances. Squaw Man (1914). DeMille's only cameo appearance in one ofhis own films. He plays a card dealer in the saloon scenes. The Call ofthe North (1914). DeMille appears in the main titles with his producer's credit. A Trip to Paramount Town (1921). A studio promotional short. DeMille is seen on the set directing. Hollywood (1923). DeMille and Jeanie Macpherson make cameo appearances. Arch-Conspirators on Cecil B. DeMille's Next Production (1925). A special trailer for The Road to Yesterday. Jeanie Macpherson and Beulah Marie Dix present the script for The Road to Yesterday to DeMille. He argues with them over its length, but the writers prevail. DeMille then conjures up miniature images ofthe characters coming out ofthe pages ofthe script, and when one ofthem makes a complaint, 373 374 / Appendix D the director (in subtitle) reminds the character: "Remember, our only aim is to entertain and amuse Mr. and Mrs. Public." Free and Easy (1930). Buster Keaton's first M-G-M talkie has a moviemaking theme. DeMille appears as himself in one scene. Hollywood on Parade No.9 (1933). This Day and Age-Special Trailer (1933). In a staged scene for this special trailer, DeMille is shown on a camera crane with his crew as if shooting a scene for the film. Paramount News (various dates). Over the years DeMille appeared in a number of stories for Paramount's news reel, including: DeMille in Boston for the Opening ofCleopatra (1934). DeMille is greeted by Boston exhibitors on the occasion of the opening of Cleopatra in that city. Bank Opening (1948). Commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Squaw Man with a reception at a new branch of the Bank of America. Members of The Squaw Man cast and crew appear, as does Theda Bara. Barn Dedication (1956). The dedication ofthe original Lasky Studio building as a California state historical landmark. Adolph Zukor, Jesse L. Lasky, Samuel Goldwyn, Y. Frank Freeman, and Leo Carillo also appear. The Hollywood You Never See (1934). A special trailer on the making of Cleopatra. DeMille-Penn Sunday Trailer (1935). DeMille is seen dictating a letter, which is actually an appeal to the voters of Pennsylvania to do away with statewide "blue laws" thatkept movie theaters closedon Sundays. HollywoodExtra Girl (1935). A special trailer made during the production of The Crusades. DeMille Homecoming (1937). A special film prepared by Paramount News covering DeMille's visit to the North Carolina home of his grandparents. Not generally released. Gretchen Comes Across (1938). A special trailer on the discovery of Franciska Gaal, who plays the part of Gretchen in The Buccaneer. March ofTime: The Movies Move On (1939). Glamour Boy (1941). DeMille makes a cameo appearance in this film. Film Appearances by DeMille / 375 Star Spangled Rhythm (1942). DeMille makes a cameo appearance in this film. The Story ofa GreatMotion Picture (1942). Trailerfor Reap the Wild Wind. DeMille War Appeal (ca. 1943). A trailer to promote the sale of War Bonds in theaters. The Story ofDr. Wassell-Trailer (1944). DeMille introduces and narrates this trailer. Background ofa Great Adventure (1947). Trailer for Unconquered. Variety Girl (1947). DeMille makes a cameo appearance in this feature . lens M!msson i Amerika (1947). DeMille makes a cameo appearance in this Swedish film. Right to Work (1948). A filmed record of DeMille's appearance before Congress speaking in behalf of right-to-work legislation. Screen Snapshots-50th Anniversary ofMovies (1949). DeMille is seen in a brief moment at the end of the film along with fellow directors Edward H. Griffith, William Seiter, A. Edward Sutherland...