Solomon and Sheba
Solomon and Sheba | |
---|---|
Directed by | King Vidor |
Screenplay by | Anthony Veiller Paul Dudley George Bruce |
Story by | Crane Wilbur |
Based on | Books of Kings Books of Chronicles |
Produced by | Ted Richmond |
Starring | Yul Brynner Gina Lollobrigida |
Cinematography | Fred A. Young |
Edited by | Otto Ludwig |
Music by | Mario Nascimbene |
Production company | Edward Small Productions |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 141 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $5 million[1] |
Box office | $12,200,000[2] |
Solomon and Sheba is a 1959 American
It starred Yul Brynner as Solomon and Gina Lollobrigida as Sheba; and features George Sanders as Adonijah, Marisa Pavan as Abishag, and David Farrar as the Pharaoh. The screenplay by Anthony Veiller, Paul Dudley, and George Bruce, was based on a story by Crane Wilbur.[4] In February 2020, the film was shown at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival, as part of a retrospective dedicated to King Vidor's career.[5]
Plot
The film's theme differs substantially from Biblical sources and is highly fictionalized, most notably in representing the Queen of Sheba as an ally of ancient Egypt in opposition to King Solomon of Israel, and in her having a love affair with Solomon.
Under the rule of
Israel continues to prosper under Solomon's rule. The
Meanwhile, Adonijah, banished by his brother after an
Pursued by the Egyptians, who were sent to finish him off, Solomon thereafter devises a plan. He lines up the remnants of his army on a hill, prompting the enemy to charge. The Israelites, who have arranged themselves to face east, then use their highly polished shields to reflect the light of the rising sun into the Egyptians' eyes. Blinded, the Egyptians are prevented from seeing the chasm in front of which the Israelites have positioned themselves, and the entire army rushes headlong over the edge and falls to its death.
Meanwhile, Adonijah, met with a tepid reaction to his
Cast
- Yul Brynner as King Solomon
- Gina Lollobrigida as Queen of Sheba
- Marisa Pavan as Abishag
- David Farrar as Pharaoh (Siamun)
- Harry Andrews as Baltor
- John Crawford as Joab
- Laurence Naismith as Hezrai (credited as Lawrence Naismith)
- Finlay Currie as King David
- Jean Anderson as Takyan
- William Devlin as Nathan
- Jack Gwillim as Josiah
- José Nieto as Ahab (credited as Jose Nieto)
- George Sanders as Adonijah
- Maruchi Fresno as Bathsheba
- Julio Peña as Zadok (credited as Julio Pena)
Production
Edward Small announced plans to make a film about King Solomon as early as 1953.[6] The following year Julius Epstein was writing a script for Small which was going to be produced by the team of Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse (who often made movies under Small's supervision).[7] Small then announced he was developing the project with Arthur Hornblow Jr. and in 1955 Gina Lollobrigida was signed.[8] United Artists agreed to distribute the following year.[9] Small provided 75% of the film's anticipated $6 million budget and United Artists provided 25%.[10]
Lollobrigida came on board as financial partner, getting a percentage of the profits.[11] The role of Solomon was initially turned down by Tyrone Power and Yul Brynner; however, Power agreed to accept the part after the script was rewritten.[12]
Power's involvement meant the film became a co-production with Power's Copa Productions, headed by Ted Richmond. In the interim, Small and Hornblow had made Witness for the Prosecution together which was a hit but they decided to end their partnership. Small went into co-production with Copa Productions, with Hornblow retaining a financial interest.[13]
The film was shot in Madrid and Valdespartera, Zaragoza, Spain. Production began on 15 September 1958, aiming for a mid-December finish. The orgy scene cost approximately $100,000, and was choreographed by Jaroslav Berger, the ballet chief of the Berne State Theatre in Switzerland. Gina Lollobrigida rehearsed her dance for over a month.[14]
Death of Tyrone Power
Two thirds of the movie had been shot and the unit was in Madrid when on 15 November Tyrone Power filmed a duel scene with
Production of the movie was halted. Because love scenes remained to be shot, another actor would have to be cast if the existing script was to be used; battle sequences had been filmed, but most of these could still be used, with close ups of the new actor added.[17] Other possibilities discussed including rewriting the script to use Power's footage, or use Power for the first half of the movie (as "young Solomon"), then recasting another actor as Solomon for the second half. The issue was complicated because three different parties had full script, star, and director approval: Small, Copa Productions, and Gina Lollobrigida.[10]
On 16 November Small offered the part of Solomon to Yul Brynner, a friend of Power, and the actor accepted.[18] This meant Brynner had to delay playing the lead role in an adaption of the Howard Fast's 1951 novel Spartacus that was subsequently cancelled and instead produced by Kirk Douglas as the 1960 movie Spartacus to which he had committed. However United Artists had not been told of Brynner's casting and were unsure of the conditions which had been granted to him. Ted Richmond wanted to pull out of producing and for a time there was some doubt if the film would go ahead at all.[10]
Another option was to cancel Solomon and Sheba altogether: the production was insured up to $3 million in the case of the death of one of the six lead players;[19] Lloyd's of London covered the daily $100,000 bill while the film was halted.[20] However, in the end it was decided to proceed with Brynner in the role of Solomon.
The film was eventually completed over ten weeks after much difficulty with an estimated cost of $6 million.[21][22] It was felt that this was relatively inexpensive considering the scale of the movie. As a result, Spain increasingly became a base for Hollywood movies.[23]
Release
Solomon and Sheba received its world premiere on 27 October 1959 at the Astoria Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London, where it was presented in
Critical reception
Solomon and Sheba received indifferent to negative reviews and Yul Brynner's performance was criticized by no less than the film's director, King Vidor, who stated that Tyrone Power had been much more believable as a conflicted king than Brynner who apparently played it with too much self-assurance.[24] Variety, however, praised some of the film's sequences as "magnificent production scenes" and described Lollobrigida as showing "the queen to be a woman of sharp brain as well as sensual beauty."[25] The magazine also stated that Brynner "does a fine job in presenting a Solomon who credibly suggests a singer of songs, yet finally is a man of ordinary flesh and blood who cannot resist Sheba."[25]
The film was included in the 1978 book, The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (and How They Got That Way), by Harry Medved, Randy Dreyfuss, and Michael Medved.[26]
Box office
The film was a box office success, earning an estimated $5.5 million in North American rentals[27] with a total gross of $12.2 million.[2]
Comic book adaptation
- Dell Four Color #1070 (December 1959)[28][29]
See also
References
- ^ Scheuer, Philip K (13 Jan 1958). "Comedy Will Star Taylor: Small Splurges on 'Solomon;' Mann to Film 'Ripe Fruit'". Los Angeles Times. p. C9.
- ^ ISBN 9780061963452.
- The Milwaukee Sentinel. January 3, 1960. Retrieved 21 September 2013.[permanent dead link]
- Toledo Blade. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Berlinale 2020: Retrospective "King Vidor"". Berlinale. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
- ^ Hopper, Hedda (30 Oct 1953). "Looking at Hollywood: Spencer Tracy to Do 'Digby' Film Version". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. a11.
- ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (31 Aug 1954). "GREENE AND ROUSE TO MAKE 12 FILMS: They Form Team to Produce, Write and Direct With the Backing of Edward Small". New York Times. p. 26.
- ^ "Drama: Lollobrigida to Star in 'Solomon and Sheba'". Los Angeles Times. 4 Nov 1955. p. B10.
- ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (8 May 1956). "UNIVERSAL IS HOST TO FOREIGN AIDES: Movie Studio Greets Sales Officials From Abroad in First Global Conference Of Local Origin". New York Times. p. 28.
- ^ a b c "Future Still in Doubt for Power's Last Film: One of 3 Coproducers Reportedly Engaged Yul Brynner Without Consulting Partners". Los Angeles Times. 19 Nov 1958. p. 28.
- ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (6 Feb 1958). "FOX BUYS RIGHTS TO AUTOBIOGRAPHY: Studio Will Film 'Beloved Infidel' by Sheilah Graham -- 'Solomon' Advances". New York Times. p. 24.
- ^ Special to The New York Times. (17 Nov 1958). "BRYNNER TO ASSUME TYRONE POWER ROLE". New York Times. p. 38.
- ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (20 June 1958). "PHIL CAREY CAST IN DISNEY MOVIE: Actor to Star With Mineo in 'Tonka' -- Negulesco to Direct 'The Blessing'". New York Times. p. 27.
- ISBN 0446312576.
- ^ "Transcript of Stand-In Mike Steckler's remarks at American Cinematheque". 16 Nov 2008.
- ^ "Tyrone Power Succumbs to Heart Attack; Collapsed on Set Of 'Solomon, Sheba' In Madrid". Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California). 15 Nov 1958.
- ^ "Movie Halted; Some Scenes May Be Saved". Los Angeles Times. 16 Nov 1958. p. A.
- ^ "Yul Brynner to Take Over Tyrone Power's Film Role: Immediate Resumption Set in Spain". Los Angeles Times. 17 Nov 1958. p. B1.
- ^ THOMAS M. PRYOR (18 Nov 1958). "METRO WILL FILM PLAY TO BOW IN '59: Buys 'The Golden Fleecing' by Lorenzo Semple Jr. -- Donen Comedy Scheduled". New York Times. p. 43.
- ^ "Tyrone Power's Body Due to Arrive Today: Widow and His Secretary Also Coming by Air; Funeral Service Being Arranged". Los Angeles Times. 18 Nov 1958. p. 5.
- ^ Gies, Joseph (1 Feb 1959). "Sheba Was An Expensive Girl!: Problems? Everything From Jets To Vanishing Helmets". Los Angeles Times. p. i10.
- ^ Scheuer, Philip K (17 July 1959). "Shooting, Dubbing of Spectacle Told: 'Solomon and Sheba' Giant Undertaking for King Vidor". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
- ^ MURRAY SCHUMACH (4 Oct 1959). "HOLLYWOOD STAND: Case for Shooting in Spain Upheld by 'Solomon and Sheba' Producer". New York Times. p. X7.
- ^ "TCM – "Solomon and Sheba"". Retrieved 13 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Review: "Solomon and Sheba"". Variety. January 1959. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ISBN 9780207958915. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "All-Time Top Grossers", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 69
- ^ "Dell Four Color #1070". Grand Comics Database.
- ^ Dell Four Color #1070 at the Comic Book DB (archived from the original)
External links
- Media related to Solomon and Sheba (1959 film) at Wikimedia Commons
- Solomon and Sheba at IMDb
- Solomon and Sheba at the TCM Movie Database
- Solomon and Sheba at AllMovie
- Solomon and Sheba at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Solomon and Sheba at Rotten Tomatoes
- "Solomon & Sheba, Inc." Archived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine Biblical Archaeology Society