Sins of Jezebel

Last updated
Sins of Jezebel
Sins of Jezebel poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Reginald Le Borg
Written byRichard H. Landau
Based on Books of Kings
Books of Chronicles
Produced by Sigmund Neufeld
Starring Paulette Goddard
George Nader
Eduard Franz
John Hoyt
Narrated by John Hoyt
Cinematography Gilbert Warrenton
Edited by Carl Pierson
Music by Bert Shefter
Production
company
Jezebel Productions
Distributed by Lippert Pictures
Release date
  • October 23, 1953 (1953-10-23)(United States)
Running time
75 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$100,000 [1]

Sins of Jezebel is a 1953 American historical drama film produced by Sigmund Neufeld and directed by Reginald Le Borg. It stars Paulette Goddard as Jezebel, the biblical queen of the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century BC. The film was shot in Ansco Color for widescreen projection. [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

In 9th century BC Israel, the prophet Elijah advises king Ahab not to marry Jezebel, an idolatrous princess of Phoenicia. Ahab sends for Jezebel, however, and commands Jehu, his captain, to escort her caravan safely to Jezreel. Once Jehu meets Jezebel, he immediately becomes attracted to her and she confuses him for Ahab. Jezebel finally arrives at Jezreel and is greeted by Ahab who, stunned by her beauty, provides her with an individual chamber until they marry. On her wedding night, Jezebel evades Ahab and pursues Jehu, whom she seduces.

Jezebel establishes the cult of Baal, her idol, in Israel and builds a temple. Jehovah, the God of the Israelites, delivers drought upon Israel because of the idolatry and sends his prophet Elijah to reprimand the people. Elijah prays to Jehovah and the drought ends.

Cast

Production

Paulette Goddard was signed to star in the film on April 22, 1953. [4] Margia Dean was cast as Deborah on May 11. [5] The film began shooting on May 13. [5] Interior scenes were shot at KTTV Studios [6] and exterior scenes were shot at Corriganville Ranch.

Release

Critical reception

Sins of Jezebel received mixed reviews from critics. The News and Eastern Townships Advocate described the film as "a spectacular Robert L. Lippert, Jr. production in gorgeous new Ansco Color." [7] The Toledo Blade also praised the film's color cinematography, but questioned the film's low budget by writing, "the desire was strong, but the cash was weak." [8]

As for the film's cast, The News and Eastern Townships Advocate praised Goddard's "fascinating performance" as she was "ideally cast" as Jezebel, [7] and The Toledo Blade commended the "competent job" of John Hoyt as Elijah. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahab</span> Biblical King of Israel

Ahab was the founder of the country of Israel, according to many scholarly accounts. The son and successor of King Omri and the husband of Jezebel of Sidon, according to the Hebrew Bible. He was widely criticized for causing "moral decline" in Israel, according to the Yahwists. Scholars consider him to have been a Yahweh-worshipper.

The Book of Kings is a book in the Hebrew Bible, found as two books in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It concludes the Deuteronomistic history, a history of ancient Israel also including the books of Joshua, Judges, and Samuel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah</span> Biblical prophet

Elijah was, according to the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible, a prophet and a miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jehu</span> Tenth king of Israel

Jehu was the tenth king of the northern Kingdom of Israel since Jeroboam I, noted for exterminating the house of Ahab. He was the son of Jehoshaphat, grandson of Nimshi, and possibly great-grandson of Omri, although the latter notion is not supported by the biblical text. His reign lasted 28 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omri</span> Biblical King of Israel

Omri was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the sixth king of Israel. He was a successful military campaigner who extended the northern kingdom of Israel. Other monarchs from the House of Omri are Ahab, Ahaziah, Joram, and Athaliah. Like his predecessor, king Zimri, who ruled for only seven days, Omri is the second king mentioned in the Bible without a statement of his tribal origin. One possibility, though unproven, is that he was of the tribe of Issachar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naboth</span> Biblical character in the Book of Kings

Naboth was a citizen of Jezreel. According to the Book of Kings in the Hebrew Bible, he was executed by Jezebel, the queen of Israel, so that her husband Ahab could possess his vineyard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahaziah of Judah</span> Sixth king of the Kingdom of Judah

Ahaziah of Judah or Jehoahaz I, was the sixth king of Judah, and the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, the daughter of king Ahab of Israel. He was also the first Judahite king to be descended from both the House of David and the House of Omri, through his mother and successor, Athaliah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jezebel</span> Biblical figure; Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab

Jezebel was the daughter of Ithobaal I of Tyre and the wife of Ahab, King of Israel, according to the Book of Kings of the Hebrew Bible.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omrides</span> Iron-Age ruling dynasty of Israel

The Omride dynasty, Omrides or House of Omri were the ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Samaria founded by King Omri. The dynasty's rule ended with the conquest of Samaria by the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V, who annexed the territory as the Assyrian province of Samerina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisha</span> Prophet and wonder-worker in the Hebrew Bible

Elisha was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a prophet and a wonder-worker. His name is commonly transliterated into English as Elisha via Hebrew, Eliseus via Greek and Latin, or Alyasa via Arabic, and Elyasa or Elyesa via Turkish. Also mentioned in the New Testament and the Quran,[6:86][38:48] Elisha is venerated as a prophet in Judaism, Christianity and Islam and writings of the Bahá'í Faith refer to him by name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tel Jezreel</span> Archaeological site in Israel

Tel Jezreel is an archaeological site in the eastern Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. The city of Jezreel served as a main fortress of the Northern Kingdom of Israel under king Ahab in the 9th century BCE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margia Dean</span> American actress (1922-2023)

Marguerite Louise Skliris-Alvarez, known by her stage name Margia Dean was an American beauty queen and stage and screen actress of royal Greek descent, who had a career in Hollywood films from the 1940s until the early 1960s, appearing in 30 starring roles and 20 bit parts.

Ilyās was a prophet of God (Allah) who was sent to guide the Children of Israel. He was given the prophetic mission to prevent people from worshipping idols. Ilyas is the prophetic predecessor to Alyasa. Some Islamic scholars believe, that Ilyas is from the progeny of Harun (Aaron).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hosea 1</span>

Hosea 1 is the first chapter of the Book of Hosea in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. This book contains the prophecies attributed to the prophet Hosea, son of Beeri, and this chapter especially sets forth the spiritual whoredom of Israel by symbolical acts. It is a part of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Kings 9</span> 2 Kings, chapter 9

2 Kings 9 is the ninth chapter of the second part of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the Second Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter records Jehu's anointing as the next king of Israel and his assassinations of Jehoram the king of Israel, Ahaziah the king of Judah and Jezebel the queen mother of Israel. The narrative is a part of a major section 2 Kings 9:1–15:12 covering the period of Jehu's dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Kings 10</span> 2 Kings, chapter 10

2 Kings 10 is the tenth chapter of the second part of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the Second Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter records Jehu's massacres of the sons of Ahab, the kinsmen of Ahaziah the king of Judah and the Baal worshippers linked to Jezebel. The narrative is a part of a major section 2 Kings 9:1–15:12 covering the period of Jehu's dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 22</span> 1 Kings, chapter 22

1 Kings 22 is the 22nd chapter of the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible or the first part of Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section comprising 1 Kings 16:15 to 2 Kings 8:29 which documents the period of Omri's dynasty. The focus of this chapter is the reign of king Ahab and Ahaziah in the northern kingdom, as well as of king Jehoshaphat in the southern kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 17</span> 1 Kings, chapter 17

1 Kings 17 is the seventeenth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section comprising 1 Kings 16:15 to 2 Kings 8:29 which documents the period of Omri's dynasty. The focus of this chapter is the activity of prophet Elijah during the reign of king Ahab in the northern kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 18</span> 1 Kings, chapter 18

1 Kings 18 is the eighteenth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section comprising 1 Kings 16:15 to 2 Kings 8:29 which documents the period of Omri's dynasty. The focus of this chapter is the activity of prophet Elijah during the reign of king Ahab in the northern kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1 Kings 19</span> 1 Kings, chapter 19

1 Kings 19 is the nineteenth chapter of the Books of Kings in the Hebrew Bible or the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. The book is a compilation of various annals recording the acts of the kings of Israel and Judah by a Deuteronomic compiler in the seventh century BCE, with a supplement added in the sixth century BCE. This chapter belongs to the section comprising 1 Kings 16:15 to 2 Kings 8:29 which documents the period of Omri's dynasty. The focus of this chapter is the activity of prophet Elijah during the reign of king Ahab in the northern kingdom.

References

  1. ↑ Parish, James Robert (1972). The Paramount Pretties. Arlington House Publishers. p. 390.
  2. ↑ Variety's Film Reviews: 1949-1953. R.R. Bowker. 1989. ISBN   0835227863.
  3. ↑ Hooper, Steele (May 5, 1954). "Hooper's Report: Guide to the Movies". Times Daily . Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  4. ↑ "Paulette Goddard as 'Jezebel'". Variety . April 23, 1953.
  5. 1 2 "Dean Draws 'Sins' Role". Variety . May 12, 1953.
  6. ↑ "Sins of Jezebel (1953) - Original Print Information". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  7. 1 2 "At The Imperial: "Jezebel" Color Spectacle Stars Paulette Goddard In Title Role". The News and Eastern Townships Advocate. January 14, 1954. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  8. 1 2 Woodbury, Mitch (January 16, 1954). "Mitch Woodbury Reports on New Princess Headliner, "Sins of Jezebel"". The Toledo Blade . Retrieved 29 September 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.