Cecil B. Demille Quotes

Powerful Cecil B. Demille for Daily Growth

About Cecil B. Demille

Cecil Blount Demille (August 12, 1881 – November 26, 1959) was a prominent American filmmaker and producer known for his epic Hollywood productions and groundbreaking visual effects. Born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, Demille's interest in the theater was ignited at an early age when he worked as a stagehand at his father's grand opera company. He moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting but found greater success behind the scenes as a director and producer. Demille's filmmaking journey began with the advent of cinema. In 1914, he co-founded the Paramount Pictures Corporation, which would later become one of Hollywood's most influential studios. He directed over seventy films throughout his career, spanning various genres but is particularly known for his large-scale biblical and historical epics like "The Ten Commandments" (1923), "The King of Kings" (1927), and the remake in 1956. His grandiose style, which often incorporated elaborate sets, thousands of extras, and innovative special effects, revolutionized Hollywood filmmaking. Demille's approach to storytelling was characterized by his commitment to spectacle and emotion, evident in quotes such as "The American public is the most enormously generous audience in the world. They are also the most terribly underestimated." His films often tackled religious or historical subjects, reflecting his deep spiritual beliefs and his aim to create meaningful and impactful stories. Throughout his career, Demille received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Lifetime Achievement. Despite some controversy surrounding his perceived flamboyance and his political views, his influence on Hollywood is undeniable. His legacy continues to inspire filmmakers today, with many citing him as a pioneer of the modern blockbuster film.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The movies can never fully reunite people at the spiritual level which they have lost. They can put enchantment into their lives, but they cannot heal their wounds."

This quote by Cecil B. DeMille suggests that while movies or cinema can provide temporary escapism and enchantment, they are not capable of truly healing emotional or spiritual wounds. Cinema may offer a temporary respite from reality, but it cannot replace the human connections, experiences, and personal growth necessary for genuine healing and reunion at a deeper level.


"There are two ways to make money in pictures: one way is by making good pictures and the other is by not making them at all."

This quote suggests that there are two primary avenues for financial success in filmmaking: producing quality movies (first method) or, ironically, avoiding movie production altogether (second method). The first strategy implies creating movies that resonate with audiences, receive critical acclaim, and generate revenue. The second strategy, on the other hand, is a commentary on the fact that not making movies at all could potentially save costs and still result in financial gain if no production expenditures are incurred. The quote highlights the delicate balance between artistic integrity and financial success in the film industry.


"I am more than a movie-maker; I am a builder of dreams."

Cecil B. DeMille, through this quote, expresses his role as not just a filmmaker, but a creator of aspirations and visions. He builds not only movies but dreamscapes that evoke emotions, inspire, and transport audiences to other worlds. In essence, he transforms ideas into tangible, shared experiences, thereby making dreams a reality on the silver screen.


"The silent motion picture was the greatest thing that ever happened to the theater because it created a new world for the stage to conquer."

This quote suggests that the advent of silent films revolutionized the theatre industry, creating a fresh, unexplored landscape for storytelling. In other words, the introduction of movies without dialogue allowed the art of live performance to find new ways to captivate audiences by using visual elements and dramatic techniques, thus expanding the boundaries of stage entertainment.


"In show business, there are no goodbyes, only au revoirs."

This quote by Cecil B. DeMille suggests that in the world of show business, partings are not final or permanent; instead, they are temporary leave-takings (au revoir), implying that one might meet again or continue professional relationships in the future. It reflects the transient and cyclical nature of the entertainment industry, where career paths often lead to multiple collaborations and reunions.


Give me any two pages of the Bible and I'll give you a picture.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Bible, Give, Pages, Give Me

Man has made 32 million laws since the Commandments were handed down to Moses on Mount Sinai... but he has never improved on God's law.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Law, Laws, Made, Mount

The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Goal, Living, His, Steadily

What I have crossed out I didn't like. What I haven't crossed out I'm dissatisfied with.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Out, Like, Crossed, Dissatisfied

Every time I make a picture the critics' estimate of American public taste goes down ten percent.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Movies, Goes, Taste, Estimate

I win my awards at the box office.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Office, Awards, Box, Box Office

Creation is a drug I can't do without.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Without, Creation

As a boy, I used to look upon the hieroglyphics as so many wonderful pictures.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Wonderful, Used, Many, Pictures

It is impossible for us to break the law. We can only break ourselves against the law.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Impossible, Against, Break, Law

There can be no liberty without the law.

- Cecil B. DeMille

Liberty, Without, Law

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.