Critic’s Pick: Cecil B. DeMille’s ‘Cleopatra’ still alluring at 80
What better place to celebrate the 80th anniversary of “Cleopatra†than the Egyptian Theatre. Making a rare appearance on screen Sunday is Cecil B. DeMille’s wonderfully kitschy spectacle. Before the 1963 Elizabeth Taylor-Richard Burton version, there was DeMille’s 1934 epic starring Claudette Colbert as an impossible-to-resist vixen and some of the finest slinky, shimmery costumes ever, though they arguably were more inspired by the Roaring ‘20s than the ancient Nile. A huge production with nary an inch of the big screen left un-splashed, it’s a fine example of DeMille’s brashness and bravado. Perhaps taking a page from the Bangles, the American Cinematheque also offers fans a chance to walk like ... that at a party in the courtyard after with costume contests for those inclined to get their Cleo on. It may all put you in the mood to contemplate what’s next for the queen. Director Ang Lee has “Cleopatra†on his docket with Angelina Jolie set to make the power plays.
Twitter: @BetsySharkey
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