Main Cast: Virginia Mayo, Anna Maria Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, Paul Newman, Walter Hampden, Natalie Wood
Release Year: 1954
Country: US
Run Time: 150 minutes
Plot
Paul Newman made his screen debut in the gloriously nonsensical costume epic The Silver Chalice. Freely adapted from a novel by Thomas B. Costain, the film casts Newman as Basil, a first century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery by his wicked uncle. Transported to Rome, Basil manages to enjoy a measure of freedom when his captors discover his sculpting talents; he also marries another slave, the demure Deborra (Pier Angeli) and dallies with the sensuous Helena (Virginia Mayo), the mercenary partner of court magician Simon (Jack Palance). The plot congeals when Basil is commissioned to create a silver receptacle for the chalice from which Jesus Christ drank at the Last Supper. Lorne Greene, likewise making his screen bow, is all portentous speeches and prophetic observations as the apostle Peter. Of the many silly highlights, the silliest -- and most memorable -- occurs when the unhinged Simon is possessed with the notion that he can fly with the gods (Palance's performance in this episode must be seen to be believed). When The Silver Chalice was first released, poor Paul Newman was roundly panned as a third-rate Brando; one reviewer noted that he "delivers his lines with the emotional fervor of a Putnam Division conductor announcing local stops." No one has been more vocal in the drubbing of Newman's performance than Newman himself. When the film was first aired on TV in Los Angeles in 1961, the actor took out a full-page apology in the trade papers. In recent years, however, Paul Newman has pointed to The Silver Chalice with pride, observing that he was able to overcome a bad beginning and endure as a screen favorite for over four decades. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Paul Newman often bemoaned his debut screen performance in The Silver Chalice -- and with good reason. One of the screen's most talented actors, Newman is simply dreadful in a part for which he was fundamentally unsuited. While he undeniably looks great and, even at this early stage, knows how to play to the camera, the part calls for an actor at home in historical epics and comfortable with the kind of melodramatic mush that fills most such screenplays. Newman is simply dull -- unlike the similarly miscast Virginia Mayo, who, with makeup that must be seen to be believed, vamps her way through the part in classic camp manner. Indeed, though Chalice is a pretty bad movie, much of it is enjoyable as an unintentional "hoot." Certainly, the screenplay is filled with the kind of lines that inspire appreciative guffaws, and Victor Saville's direction -- a curious blend of naïveté and "let's just get the job done" professionalism -- somehow makes things even funnier. Jack Palance and Lorne Greene help add to the camp factor, especially the former, whose mad wizard must be seen to be believed; the character's "I'm flying" climax is truly noteworthy. Of the large cast, only a young (and blonde) Natalie Wood manages to give a decent non-camp performance. Ridiculous it may be, and no one would ever confuse it with a good movie, but Chalice is fun -- for people who approach it in the proper spirit. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Boris Leven - Art Director, Lesser Samuels - Associate Producer, Stephen Papick - Choreography, Franz Waxman - Conductor, Rolf Gerard - Costume Designer, Victor Saville - Director, George White - Editor, Franz Waxman - Composer (Music Score), Franz Waxman - Musical Direction/Supervision, Rolf Gerard - Production Designer, William Skall - Cinematographer, Victor Saville - Producer, Lesser Samuels - Screenwriter, Thomas B. Costain - Book Author
A Greek artisan is commissioned to cast the cup of Christ in silver and sculpt around its rim the faces of the disciples and Jesus himself. He travels to Jerusalem and eventually to Rome to complete the task. Meanwhile, a nefarious interloper is trying to convince the crowds that he is the new Messiah by using nothing more than cheap parlor tricks.
Apart from being Paul Newman's first film, this film, intended to be a Biblical epic, is remembered chiefly for the curious domes in the unusual set designs, resembling something that might be seen in a sci-fi film; and for its film score by Franz Waxman, which was nominated for an Academy Award.
Premiere
The film had its world premiere in the small town of Saranac Lake, New York, which won a competition selling Christmas Seals. Saville, Mayo, Angeli and Palance attended, and participated in, a parade around the time of the town's annual winter carnival. The premiere itself was hosted by television personality Art Linkletter.
Newman's view on the movie
Paul Newman was apparently not proud of his performance. When the film was broadcast on television in 1966, he took out an advertisement in a Hollywood trade paper apologizing for his performance, and requesting people not to watch the film. This backfired, and the broadcast received unusually high ratings. The film is sometimes referred to as Paul Newman and the Holy Grail.[1] Newman allegedly called the film "the worst motion picture produced during the 1950s". He once screened it for guests at his home, handing out pots, wooden spoons, and whistles and encouraging the audience to offer noisy critiques.
DVD release
The film was released on VHS, and is due to be released on DVD by Warner Home Video on February 17, 2009.
