Barry Norman tells the story of Cecil B. DeMille on the eve of the centenary of his birth.
DeMille, one of Hollywood's founders, and probably its greatest showman, is still widely remembered for his flamboyant Biblical epics. He was almost as famous for his personal image: a tyrant with megaphone and shiny boots, who always gave himself top billing.
Among those taking part:
Gloria Swanson , whom DeMille turned into a star in the years after World War I
Charlton Heston , Moses in The Ten Commandments
Agnes DeMille , choreographer and DeMille's niece
Katberine DeMille Quinn , his adopted daughter and actress
Anthony Quinn , son-in-law, who began his film career with DeMille Jesse Lasky Jr, screenwriter
Henry Wilcoxon , actor and DeMille's associate producer
Dewitt Bodeen , screenwriter and author of a book on DeMille's films
Cecilia Presley , grand-daughter
William O'Connell , his assistant cameraman
Robert Parrish , writer and director '
Chieo Day, assistant director including extracts from Samson and Delilah, The Greatest Show on Earth, Cleopatra and The Ten Commandments, both the 1956 version and rare colour .footage from the 1923 version.
Film editor ERIC MIVAL Producer CHRIS MOHR