Movie for a Sunday afternoon: "Solomon and Sheba" (1959)

Classic dialogue exchange between the Pharaoh and the Queen of Sheba-

Pharaoh: "And how will you destroy Solomon?"

Sheba: "It is said that Solomon is wise. But no matter how wise he may be, he is still human, with a human weakness."

Pharaoh: "Surely the way of a woman is beyond understanding."

Sheba: "The way of a woman is simple, my lord. It is always to follow the way of a man."

Oh, Gina! ;)

Be sure to read these passages before and/or after seeing the flick:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Chronicles%209:1-12&version=ESVUK

The Queen of Sheba

9 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions, having a very great retinue and camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 2 And Solomon answered all her questions. There was nothing hidden from Solomon that he could not explain to her. 3 And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 4 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

5 And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 6 but I did not believe the[a] reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard. 7 Happy are your wives![b] Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them for ever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 9 Then she gave the king 120 talents[c] of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

10 Moreover, the servants of Hiram and the servants of Solomon, who brought gold from Ophir, brought algum wood and precious stones. 11 And the king made from the algum wood supports for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, lyres also and harps for the singers. There never was seen the like of them before in the land of Judah.

12 And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what she had brought to the king. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20kings%2010:1-13&version=ESVUK

The Queen of Sheba

10 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing spices and very much gold and precious stones. And when she came to Solomon, she told him all that was on her mind. 3 And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.

6 And she said to the king, “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, 7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard. 8 Happy are your men! Happy are your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” 10 Then she gave the king 120 talents[a] of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

11 Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones. 12 And the king made of the almug wood supports for the house of the Lord and for the king’s house, also lyres and harps for the singers. No such almug wood has come or been seen to this day.

13 And King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all that she desired, whatever she asked besides what was given her by the bounty of King Solomon. So she turned and went back to her own land with her servants.

If you watch some of the chariot scenes you will see the spear points flopping around showing they are made of rubber.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP9OV3Zl-0M

Classic takes on Gina Lollobrigida:

“She’s about five and a half feet tall. Lying on her back!”

Jack Paar introduced her on his show as “And here they are, Gina Lollobrigida!!”

He added, “Only two good things have come out of Italy this summer, and Gina’s got both of them.”

;^)

I never saw this film, but I recall it being heavily advertised on television in 1960.

Thanks for posting. It was interesting to watch and I’m sorry for Power’s death, especially at such a relatively young age(45). However, from what I saw, I think I like Yul Brynner’s take on the role of Solomon better. I’ve seen a lot more of Brynner’s films and he made quite an impression on me when I was little(I used to go around saying “etcedera, etcedera, etcedera!” alot when I was a kid after I saw “The King and I”) so that probably affects my opinion. Of Powers’ work, I think his best role of the ones I’ve seen was his final completed one as the defendant in “Witness For The Prosecution”.

I read that it was a big commercial hit at the time of its release which make sense since Biblical epics and big stars like Brynner and Lollobrigida were popular during that period.