The Prodigal

Lana Turner at her sexiest!
1955's "The Prodigal" was MGM's most ambitious film of the year, filmed at a cost of $5,000,000 with the intention of being one of the "really significant Biblical spectacles of all time." Adapted from 22 verses of the New Testament book of Luke, it was indeed a lavish spectacle. Lana Turner didn't like the script, but was compelled because of her studio contract to star in the movie. Making the most of her situation, she redesigned her costumes to reveal as much flesh as the Production Code would allow, making herself "as sensuous, sexy, and gorgeous as possible." Needless to say, her daring (for 1955) costumes are the best reason to watch this movie!

"The Prodigal Son" is Micah (Edmund Purdom), who honors his aging father Eli (Walter Hampden) by becoming engaged to Ruth, a kind-hearted woman who also shares his faith in God. But when Micah visits Damascus, he sees Samarra (Lana Turner), the high priestess of Astarte, goddess of the flesh, and he is instantly captivated by...

Colorful, daring Hollywood epic
From the Golden Age of Hollywood comes The Prodigal (1955), a MGM release. This "Biblical" epic, based on the New Testament story of The Prodigal son, tells of the adventure of the young man who enters the pagan world and discovers the mysteries and charms of Miss Lana Turner, high priestess of the temple of a graven, cruel, jealous god, and the dangers of forbidden love. Edmund Purdom is the prodigal who is smitten by Turner's Samarra.The story plods along with some over-blown and sometimes trite dialogue, but the costumes and sets are eye-popping. This movie era could only produce such grandier and Miss Turner as the brilliant center, is sinfully beautiful. She reveals more of her self as any much younger actress would dare at the time. And she looks marvelous. See this spectacular entry for what we may never see in today's cinema.

All the bits the Bible forgot!
The Prodigal fills in all those bits in the parable of the Prodigal Son that Jesus omitted, and very entertainingly too. It seems junior (Edmund Purdom) got the hots for the high priestess of Astati (Lana Turner) while incurring the wrath of the high priest of Baal and tyrant of Damascus (Louis Calhern) and frittered away his fortune before coming to his senses and leading the people in rebellion against their pagan oppressors. As you might guess from that synopsis, there are more than a few similarities to The Egyptian, not least Edmund Purdom selling his birthright for a second time for bit of nookie with a pagan temptress (he'd do anything for a bit of skirt, that Purdom: did he learn nothing from his experience with Bella Darvi?), although this is a lot less thoughtful and a lot more fun. A rare 50s epic shot in Hollywood rather than Cinecitta, it falls somewhere between De Mille - the apprentice child priestess in her miniature chariot drawn by a goat could be straight out of the...

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