Day of Triumph
Directed byIrving Pichel
John T. Coyle
Written byArthur T. Horman
Produced byJames K. Friedrich
StarringLee J. Cobb
Robert Wilson
James Griffith
Joanne Dru
CinematographyRay June
Edited byThomas Neff
Music byDaniele Amfitheatrof
Production
company
Century Films
Distributed byImperial Distributing Corp.
Release dates
  • December 17, 1954 (1954-12-17) (Tyler, Texas, premiere)[1]
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Day of Triumph is a 1954 American drama film directed by Irving Pichel and John T. Coyle, from a screenplay by Arthur T. Horman. The film stars Lee J. Cobb, Robert Wilson, James Griffith, and Joanne Dru.[2]

This was the last film directed by Irving Pichel, who died on July 13, 1954, five months before the film was released.

Synopsis

The film is Pichel's take on the life of Christ and focuses on the controversy and politics surrounding his life, particularly the activities of Zadok (Lee J. Cobb), leader of an anti-pagan group called the Zealots. Zadok initially plans to use Jesus (Robert Wilson) to rally support for the cause of political freedom. As he follows him, Jesus cures Mary Magdalene's mother and raises Lazarus from the dead -- acts which wear away at Zadok's skepticism, but focus significant attention on Christ.

Cast list

(cast list as per AFI database)[3]

Production

The picture was the first sound and first color film done about the life of Jesus. The last film having been Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 The King of Kings.[4][5] The movie began filming the week of June 12, in Eastman Color.[6] Joanne Dru was selected to play the role of Mary Magdalene, winning out over several other actresses, including Rita Hayworth, Jennifer Jones, and Susan Hayward.[7] Many of the movie's exterior scenes were filmed on locations around the San Fernando Valley. Chatsworth Lake became the Sea of Galilee; Vazquez Rocks near Acton served as the tomb of Jesus; and the banks of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing, was shot at Far Lake, a tributary of Hansen Dam Lake.[8] Production on the film wrapped the first week in July. A week later, Pichel died of a heart attack in his home.[9] The film was financed by a group of Hollywood outsiders, based in Texas. The film's premiere was held on December 17, 1954 in Tyler, Texas, the home base of the film's backers.[1]

Reception

Variety gave the film a positive review, calling the picture "a handsomely mounted independent production, that abounds in dignity, restraint and distinction." They enjoyed the fictionalized account of the life of Christ, which they felt did not contain many of the "familiar embellishments" often found in biblical films. They complimented Pichel's direction; called Cobb's performance "forceful and shrewd"; said Dru gave a "touching performance"; and Griffith was "bitingly realistic". They particularly highlighted the performance of Wilson as Jesus, calling his portrayal, "humble, saintly and reverent". They also enjoyed the work of Gilmore, Warde, and Freud. They also gave good marks to Ray June's camera-work, Thomas Neff's editing, Daniele Amfitheatrof's music, as well as the production elements of Friedrich.[10] The Tyler-Courier-Times-Telegraph also gave the film a good review, calling it a "remarkable blending of the straight Gospel with the history of the era in which Jesus lived, as set forth by the foremost historians of the day."[5] The Los Angeles Times also gave the film a good review, declaring it was a "forcefully told story...rich in inspirational and human values". They also complimented the screenplay in handling several delicate issues in such an adept fashion so as to not offend any particular religious group. They also praised June's cinematography and Amfitheatrof's score, as well as the directing of Pichel. Among the cast, they congratulated Dru, Cobb, McVey, Connors, Gilmore, Freud, Glass, Whitney, Ward, and Gerry.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 "'Day of Triumph' Premieres In Tyler, Texas, Home Burg of Its Backers". American Film Institute. December 8, 1954. p. 22. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Day of Triumph". Variety. December 1, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  3. ↑ "Day of Triumph". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. ↑ "'Day of Triump' To Open Dec. 24". The Los Angeles Times. December 15, 1954. p. 75. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Day of Triump For Tyler". Tyler-Courier-Times-Telegraph. December 16, 1954. p. 24. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ William R. Weaver (June 12, 1954). "Hollywood Scene". Motion Picture Herald. p. 32. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  7. ↑ "Magdalene Role Stirs Joanne Dru". The Los Angeles Times. July 18, 1954. p. 85. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Valley's Lake Sea of Galilee". Valley Times. August 23, 1954. p. 7. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Pichel, Screen Veteran, Dies Suddenly On Coast". Motion Picture Herald. July 17, 1954. p. 46. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  10. ↑ "Day of Triumph". Variety. December 1, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  11. ↑ "'Day of Triump' Offers Beauty and Inspiration". The Los Angeles Times. December 25, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved April 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
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