#Samson and Delilah

[mistressvera]

Samson and Delilah (1949) costume appreciation: 1/∞

costume design by Edith Head, Dorothy Jeakins, Elois Jenssen, Gile Steele, Gwen Wakeling

Period dramas | costume appreciation: 6/∞

[cobblestonestreet]

Hedy Lamarr's 'peacock dress', designed by Edith Head, for "Samson and Delilah", 1949. I heard the feathers were gathered from the grounds of Cecil B. DeMille's estate.

[lizabizaaaaaaa]

Actress, inventor, and celestial goddess Hedy Lamarr 🖤

[summertimenoir]

The gorgeous Hedy Lamarr in Samson and Delilah (1949)

[pmamtraveller]

SAMSON AND THE PHILISTINES /1863/ by CARL BLOCH

This painting is a depiction of the scenes after capture. Samson was a man of great physical strength, famous for his battles against the Philistines oppressing the Israelites. He is shown here at a mill, symbolizing his fall from grace and the loss of his strength, which had previously been tied to his rather long and uncut hair.

Samson's hair symbolized his covenant with God; and as a result, their cutting means betrayal and ultimately Samson's loss of divine favor. The Philistines, brutish captors, signify oppression and, by this, the struggle against Israelite freedom.

In this painting, Bloch employs an acutely dynamic composition where the muscular figure of Samson contrasts with the surrounding figures, featuring his physicality and the tragedy of his situation. The composition is so full of movement: with Samson as the central figure, the symbol of strength and defiance against the Philistines, who are depicted in various poses of aggression and astonishment.

The characters are dressed in historically inspired clothing that reflects the ancient Near Eastern theme. The attention of Bloch does indeed seem to center on the details of the Philistines' garments and architecture, highlighting their status as a warrior society in opposition to the Israelites.

[20th-century-man]

Hedy Lamarr / publicity photo for Cecil B. DeMille's Samson and Delilah (1949)

[angelstills]

Samson and Delilah (1949)

[gatabella]

Hedy Lamarr on the set of Samson and Delilah, 1949

[the-evil-clergyman]

Samson and Delilah by Solomon Joseph Solomon (1887)

[cressida-jayoungr]

One Dress a Day Challenge

October: Silver Redux

Samson and Delilah / Hedy Lamarr as Delilah

Delilah's wardrobe is amazing, culminating in the spectacular peacock gown. Edith Head and her fellow designers won a well-deserved Oscar for their work on this film.

This two-piece dress with bare midriff and draped skirt is simple in style but dripping with pearls. The opulent silver fabric and copious jewelry also show how she's living the high life at this point. I've included a close-up showing her beaded hairnet and crown. Also notice the pearls carelessly twined around her shoulder strap.

[mistressvera]

Samson and Delilah (1949) costume appreciation: 2/∞

costume design by Edith Head, Dorothy Jeakins, Elois Jenssen, Gile Steele, Gwen Wakeling

Period dramas | costume appreciation: 8/∞

[death-by-mercury]

❀𝐇𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐡, 𝟏𝟗𝟒𝟗 ❀

[helplessavacado]

Prompt 24: Carrion (dead and decaying flesh)

The Archdemon Relrazath, convincing Samson to eat honey out of a lion's carcass.

"Eat, son of Manoah, thy God provides."

Judges 14:5-9

(Further lore and rambling below the cut)

RELRAZATH MY FUNKY TURKEY VULTURE FREAK HE'S THE WORST AND I LOVE HIM DEARLY. He is one of two supernatural influences in Samson's life, the other being the Archangel Jophiel (or Joey), and he is basically the most horrible influence ever. Samson is already a pretty horrible person, but Relrazath dials that up to a million.

Samson, being a Nazarite, is supposed to abide by three laws (plus the Law of Moses): Don't cut your hair, don't drink wine, and don't defile yourself with the presence of a corpse. Well, Samson breaks two of those laws of his own free will, and I figured EATING OUT OF A LITERAL ROTTING LION AND THEN GETTING YOUR PARENTS TO DO THE SAME deserved a little thematic relevance. Relrazath is a creature of indulgence and opportunity, and he's also very convincing. When Samson came across the decaying hive, Relrazath immediately twisted the disgusting scene into God providing Samson with a.) food, b.) a boost to Samson's already enormous ego, and c.) confirmation that Samson was making the right decision in marrying a Philistine.

"If the Almighty did not want you to marry her, why would He send you this bounty on your way to meet her? Do you spurn this gift because of the way it comes? Do you reject the favor of Adonai? Cast away your doubt, Judge of Israel, and accept, or else starve on the road to your marriage feast... Eat, son of Manoah, thy God provides."

Twelfth day, twenty-fourth prompt, see y'all on the twenty-seventh with "Golgotha"

[summertimenoir]

There isn't a man in the world who will not share his secrets with... some woman. Hedy Lamarr in Samson and Delilah (1949) - dir. Cecil B. Demille

[pmamtraveller]

CARL BLOCH - SAMSON AND THE PHILISTINES, 1863

This painting portrays the events following the capture. Samson was renowned for his immense physical power and his fights against the Philistines who were tormenting the Israelites. Displayed in a mill, his descent from favour is symbolized along with his weakened state, formerly tied to his rather long and uncut hair.

The characters are dressed in historically inspired clothing that reflects the ancient Near Eastern theme. The attention of Bloch does indeed seem to centre on the details of the Philistines' garments and architecture, highlighting their status as a warrior society in opposition to the Israelites.

Carl Bloch was in Rome when he created this painting. His debut in the Danish art scene, which was notable for displaying his skilful technique and storytelling approach, captivating spectators. In this time frame, Bloch's unique perspective on religious and historical topics was shaped by Rome's vibrant artistic atmosphere.

Several similar paintings followed this one, helping Bloch gain great recognition and establishing him as Denmark's greatest painter among his fellow artists. The main focus of Bloch's work is the collection of 23 paintings depicting scenes from the New Testament for the prayer seat in Frederiksborg Chapel.

[anniflamma]

Everyone be like: Eww Delilah was an evil (but sexy) woman. Samson was so dumb to trust her (in both ways winks).

Me: Samson knew very well that Delilah was betraying him. He had trauma from when his first wife was forced to betray him, and when he left her, it got her killed, which was his biggest regret. So how could he leave Delilah if that would put her in harm's way?