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Become a Patron!Cecil B. DeMille speaking at a gathering of the Wilshire Chamber Of Commerce – Ambassador Auditorium, Los Angeles – June 25, 1952
The legendary Hollywood Film maker Cecil B. DeMille, probably best known for his epic biblical films The Ten Commandments, King Of Kings, Samson and Delilah and Sign Of The Cross, was also, not only one of the key figures in establishing the Hollywood Film, but also something of an outspoken Political observer.
This address, given at the annual dinner for the Wilshire Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles on June 25, 1952 started off as an assessment of Religion and morality in 20th century society, but suddenly shifted to talking about the then-current climate of McCarthyism, corruption in the political system which both parties shared responsibility for. The cult of personality in politics as opposed to choosing a candidate based on experience and a commitment to preserving democracy and a general lowering of interest or even knowledge of the political process.
DeMille was outspoken about his Episcopalian integrity, but his private life included mistresses and adultery. He was a conservative Republican activist, and was known as anti-union and worked to prevent the unionization of film production studios. But according to DeMille himself, he was not anti-union and belonged to a few unions. He said he was rather against union leaders such as Walter Reuther and Harry Bridges, whom he compared to dictators. He supported Herbert Hoover and, in 1928, made his largest campaign donation to Hoover. But DeMille also liked Franklin D. Roosevelt, finding him charismatic, tenacious, and intelligent, and agreeing with Roosevelt’s abhorrence of Prohibition. DeMille lent Roosevelt a car for his 1932 United States presidential election campaign and voted for him. He never again voted for a Democratic candidate in a presidential election.
To get a better idea of who Cecil B. DeMille was, at least in a political context, have a listen to this address from June of 1952. The original tape was badly damaged from flooding and deterioration, but enough sound was salvaged to make it listenable.
