Main Cast: Rita Hayworth, Stewart Granger, Judith Anderson, Cedric Hardwicke, Alan Badel, Charles Laughton
Release Year: 1953
Country: US
Run Time: 103 minutes
Plot
"Her Salome Will Steal Your Breath Away" was the classic advertising slogan attached to this opulent Rita Hayworth epic -- a slogan which became laughable whenever a radio announcer would mispronounce Salome as "salami." Using the very sketchy Biblical story of the death of John the Baptist as its springboard, Salome depicts its title character, the stepdaughter of King Herod, as a victim of circumstance rather than a wanton temptress. Banished from Rome because of an unfortunate romance with the nephew of Caesar, Salome (Rita Hayworth) declares that all men are her enemies, but her resolve weakens when she falls in love with Claudius (Stewart Granger), the military commander of Galilee. Meanwhile, Salome's wicked mother, Herodias (Judith Anderson), plots the demise of John the Baptist (Alan Badel), who currently enjoys the protection of the superstitious Herod (Charles Laughton). At this point, the story departs radically from Scripture. Salome is no longer coerced by Herodias to demand the head of John the Baptist; instead, Herodias, on her own, promises Herod that Salome will perform the "Dance of the Seven Veils" for him -- but only if he beheads John first (Salome has been misinformed that the dance will save John from the headsman's sword). Somehow, scriptwriter Jesse Lasky Jr. even manages to concoct a happy ending for poor Salome, which is a lot more than Oscar Wilde or Richard Strauss were able to do. Considered an artistic flop in 1953, Salome seems somewhat better today, if only because of that powerhouse cast. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Most films with a script as ludicrous as that created for Salome would be sunk from the first utterance -- but most such films don't have Rita Hayworth to portray a sultry, earthy yet naïve sex symbol. Hayworth and Salome were meant for each other, and it doesn't matter how much ridiculous dialogue or outrageous Hollywood plot changes one has to wade through, as long as the climactic "Dance of the Seven Veils" is worth the trip. Hayworth makes it worth the trip and more; as an added bonus, she handles the rest of her characterization skillfully as well. It's a bit overwrought, of course, but that's what is demanded by the screenplay, and she obliges in the most entertaining way possible. The oily, unctuous, and delicious Charles Laughton and the conniving, malicious, and equally delicious Judith Anderson also make an asset out of over-the-top acting, making up for the atrocious performance of Alan Badel. Stewart Granger turns in a relatively subdued portrayal that works, even if it does seem a bit out of sync with the larger theatrical style surrounding it. William Dieterle's direction is heavy-handed, understandable under the circumstances, but it could have benefited from greater imagination. Filled with delightfully lurid color, Salome is a fun wallow, even if it's far from great art. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Maurice Schwartz - Ezra; Basil Sydney - Pontius Pilate; Rex Reason - Marcellus Fabius; Arnold Moss - Micha; Robert Warwick - Courier; Carmen D'Antonio - Salome's Servant; Michael Granger - Capt. Quintus; Karl (Killer) Davis - Slave Master; Asoka - Oriental Dance Team; Theda Bara - Salome; Genevieve Blinn - Queen Marian; Barry Brooks - Roman Guard; Tristram Coffin; Don de Leo; Leslie Denison - Court Attendant; Italia Denubila; Vera Doria - Naomi; Alfred Fremont - Galla; Bertram Grassby - Prince David; Herbert Heyes - Sejanus; Tom Hernandez - Townsman; Paul Hoffman; George Keymas; George Khoury; Guy Kingsford - Officer; David Leonard; Jack Low; Michael Mark - Old Farmer; Ralph Moody; Lou Nova - Executioner; G. Raymond Nye - King Herod; John Parrish; Franz Roehn; Albert Roscoe - John the Baptist; Maurice Samuels; Sam Scar - Politician; Mickey Simpson - Herod's Captain of the Guards; Charles Soldani; Sujata; Carlo Tricoli; Rick Vallin - Sailor; Charles Wagenheim - Simon; Trevor Ward - Blind Man; Stanley Waxman - Patrician; Bill Wilkerson; Carleton Young; Eduardo Cansino - Roman Guard; Bruce Cameron; Henry Escalante; Leonard George - Assassin; Duke Johnson - Juggling Specialty; Tina Menard - Convert; John Crawford - Guard; David Ahdar; Robert Ben Ali; Ray Beltram; Frederic Berest; Earl Brown; Bud Cokes - Galilean Soldiers; Henry Dar Boggia; Eddy Fields; Eva Hyde - Herodias' Servant; Fred Letuli; Saul Martell - Dissenting Scholar; Henry Pina; Jerry Pina; Joe Sawaya; Dimas Sotello; John E. Wood - Sword Dancer; William McCormick - Advisor
Credit
John Meehan - Art Director, Valerie Bettis - Choreography, Jean Louis - Costume Designer, Emile Santiago - Costume Designer, William Dieterle - Director, Viola Lawrence - Editor, Daniele Amfitheatrof - Composer (Music Score), George Duning - Composer (Music Score), Morris W. Stoloff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Clay Campbell - Makeup, Charles B. Lang - Cinematographer, Buddy Adler - Producer, William Kiernan - Set Designer, Harry Kleiner - Screenwriter, Jesse Lasky, Jr. - Screenwriter, Oscar Wilde - Play Author
