From the Manger to the Cross

From the Manger to the Cross

Theatrical poster
Directed by Sidney Olcott
Produced by Frank J. Marion
Written by Gene Gauntier
Starring Robert Henderson-Bland
Gene Gauntier
Alice Hollister
Robert G. Vignola
Cinematography George K. Hollister
Distributed by Kalem
Release dates
  • October 3, 1912 (London)
  • October 14, 1912 (New York City)
Running time
 71 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent (English intertitles)
From the Manger to the Cross

From the Manger to the Cross or Jesus of Nazareth is a 1912 American motion picture that was filmed on location in Palestine. It tells the story of Jesus' life. Directed by Sidney Olcott who also appeared in the film, actress and screenwriter Gene Gauntier wrote the script and portrayed the Virgin Mary.

The film received excellent reviews at the time of its original release. After Vitagraph Studios acquired Kalem, the film was re-released in February 1919.[1]

Production background

According to Turner Classic Movies, the film cost $35,000 to produce (roughly between $1,600,000 and $3,300,000 adjusted to 2007 dollars)[2] and its profits eventually amounted to almost $1 million (roughly $46,000,000 to $95,000,000). TCM host Robert Osborne and the National Film Preservation Foundation consider this film to be the most important silent film to deal with the life of Christ. In 1998, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

In later years, Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, would say this was the premiere film for his movie theater in Haverhill, Massachusetts and a major boost for him in the movie business.[3] However, most sources place the release date of this film as 1912, long after the opening of Mayer's theater.[4]

Cast

References

  1. ↑ From the Manger to the Cross at SilentEra
  2. ↑ Currency comparison table
  3. ↑ "Mr. Motion Picture", Time magazine obituary (November 11, 1957)
  4. ↑ From the Manger to the Cross at the Internet Movie Database

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to From the Manger to the Cross.