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Stunning Photos from the set of ‘Samson and Delilah (1949)’

Samson and Delilah is a romantic drama film released in 1949. A massive commercial success, it became the highest-grossing film of 1950 and the third highest-grossing film ever at its release. Of its five Academy Award nominations, the film won two for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design

The production values of Samson and Delilah are of the highest quality by 1949 standards, and the film won deserved Oscars for Hans Dreier and Walter Tyler’s art direction, Sam Comer and Ray Moyer’s set decoration and Edith Head’s costumes. Victor Mature was frightened by a number of the animals and mechanical props used in the production, including the lions, the wind machine, the swords and even the water.

Victor Mature played the lead role of Samson. He was a tall and handsome actor. His presence adds realism, an honorary tribute to the ancient Danite, and makes for a convincing character. The ruler of the Philistines is played by George Sanders, who is incredible in his ‘King of the Five cities’ role. The two actors are so well-suited for the leads that it’s difficult to imagine someone else in their place. Hedy Lamarr was the most beautiful woman in films. Her ability as an actress was limited, but as a femme fatale, she was capable of bringing down a mighty warrior. The supporting players are also top-notch: George Sanders is superb as the cynical Saran, who envies and respects Samson, Angela Lansbury plays Samson’s fickle bride-to-be Semadar, and Henry Wilcoxon makes a strong impression as Samson’s jealous rival, Artur.

#3 Actoress Hedy Lamarr, George Sanders and Henry Wilcoxon in a scene from the movie ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949.

#4 Actoress Hedy Lamarr in a scene from the movie ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#5 Actoress Hedy Lamarr with Victor Mature in a scene from the movie ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#6 Actoress Hedy Lamarr with Faye Holden in a scene from the movie ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#7 Actoress Hedy Lamarr with Victor Mature in a scene from the movie ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#8 Fighting Lions in Scene from ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

Fighting Lions in Scene from 'Samson And Delilah', 1949

Victor "Samson" Mature is on a lion hunt with Hedy "Delilah" Lamarr in this scene when they charge unexpectedly into one of those hefty lions in the desert area around historic Gaza. In shooting this sequence Miss Lamarr and Mature almost decided to throw up their charmed lives as screen stars for some more prosaic but safe occupation.

#9 Victor Mature Fighting Lion in Movie ‘Samson and Delilah’

Victor Mature Fighting Lion in Movie 'Samson and Delilah'

As ambitious as Demille's parting of the Red Sea in "The Ten Commandments", the fight to the death between Samson and the Lion has been called one of the most spectacular scenes put on film. here in a spectacular demonstration of strength, Samson who slew thousands of Philistines for the love of "Delilah" does battle with the beast.

#10 Hedy Lamarr in costume in a publicity portrait issued for the film, ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949.

#11 Victor Mature Fighting Lion in Movie ‘Samson and Delilah’

Victor Mature Fighting Lion in Movie 'Samson and Delilah'

Want to trade jobs with a movie star? By a process of strangulation Samson slowly manages to wrest victory from his attacker. Mature and the lion meet in the California desert for this Hollywood version of an epic scene from the biblical story.

#12 On the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

On the set of 'Samson and Delilah'

American actor Victor Mature and Austro-American actress Hedy Lamarr on the set of Samson and Delilah, directed by Cecil B. DeMille.

#13 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature on the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

#14 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature and British actor George Sanders on the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

#16 Victor Mature is tied up in a scene from the film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949.

#17 Victor Mature opening up mouth of lion in a scene from the film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949.

#18 A shackled Victor Mature reaches up towards Hedy Lamarr in a scene from the film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949.

#19 Hedy Lamarr wearing a costume with pearls, leans against Victor Mature wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind.

#20 Samson And Delilah, poster, from left, Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, 1949.

#21 Hedy Lamarr with director Cecile B.DeMille on the set of his movie ‘Samson and Delilah’.

#22 Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr on the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

#23 Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr on the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

#24 Victor Mature on the set of ‘Samson and Delilah’

#25 Filmmaker Cecil B DeMille inspecting costume design ideas for the film ‘Samson and Delilah’

#26 Filmmaker Cecil B DeMille inspecting costume design ideas for the film ‘Samson and Delilah’

#27 Cecil B DeMille sitting on a camera rig with members of his crew, on the set of the film ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#28 Filmmaker Cecil B DeMille recuperating in bed as his staff discuss the making of the film ‘Samson and Delilah’ 1949

#29 Cinematographer George Barnes and filmmaker Cecil B DeMille on the set of the film ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#30 Cecil B DeMille eating food with a group of people during the making of the film ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#31 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature both in costume in a publicity portrait issued for the film, ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949.

#32 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature both in costume in a publicity portrait issued for the film, ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949.

#33 Cecil B. DeMille and founder of Paramount Films, on the set of ‘Samson And Delilah’ with Henry Wilcoxon who plays Prince Ahtur, 1949.

#34 Cecil B DeMille on the set of his 1949 film, ‘Samson And Delilah’.

#35 Hedy Lamarr, on-set of the Film ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#36 Victor Mature, Hedy Lamarr, on-set of the Film “Samson and Delilah”, 1949

#39 Victor Mature, Hedy Lamarr, on-set of the Film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#40 Henry Wilcoxon Angela Lansbury Victor Mature and director Cecil B. on-set of the Film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#41 Cecil B DeMille on set candid with Cinematographer George Barnes and Script Supervisor Claire Behnke on-set of the Film ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#42 Hedy Lamarr, on-set of the Film ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#45 Script Supervisor Claire Behnke, Cecil B DeMille, Hedy Lamarr and Henry Wilcoxon on set candid during filming of ‘Samson And Delilah’, 1949

#49 Hedy Lamarr on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#51 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature posed publicity portrait for Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#52 Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature posed publicity portrait for Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#53 Victor Mature in the role of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#56 Hedy Lamarr posed publicity portrait by ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#59 Woman greets Cecil B DeMille on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#60 Cecil B DeMille on set candid directing Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature in ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#62 Extras being made up on sound stage on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#63 Cecil B DeMille with old extra Woman and Film Crew on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#64 Cecil B DeMille on set candid directing Olive Deering and Victor Mature during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#65 Hedy Lamarr on set candid with her Hairdresser Dialogue Director, ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#66 Victor Mature and Cecil B DeMille pose with Prop Ancient Keys on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#67 Cecil B DeMille (centre) on set candid with Set Visitors Gary Cooper and William Body during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

#68 Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr, Cecil B DeMille and Cinematographer George Barnes on set candid during filming of ‘Samson and Delilah’, 1949

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