The Sign of the Cross (1932 film)

The Sign of the Cross
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCecil B. DeMille
Screenplay by
Based onThe Sign of the Cross
(1895 play)
by Wilson Barrett
Produced byCecil B. DeMille
Starring
CinematographyKarl Struss
Edited byAnne Bauchens
Music byRudolph G. Kopp
Production
company
Paramount Pictures
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release dates
Running time
125 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$694,065
Box office$2,738,993

The Sign of the Cross is a 1932 American pre-Code epic historical drama film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and released by Paramount Pictures. Based on the original 1895 play by English playwright Wilson Barrett, the screenplay was written by Waldemar Young and Sidney Buchman. It stars Fredric March, Elissa Landi, Claudette Colbert, and Charles Laughton, with Ian Keith and Arthur Hohl.

This film is the third and last in DeMille's biblical trilogy, following The Ten Commandments (1923) and The King of Kings (1927). Both play and film have a strong resemblance to the 1895–96 novel Quo Vadis and, like the novel, take place in ancient Rome during the reign of Nero. The art direction and costume design were by Mitchell Leisen, who also acted as assistant director.

The Sign of the Cross premiered on November 30, 1932, and was a financial hit. Karl Struss was nominated for Best Cinematography at the 6th Academy Awards.