Queen Esther: A Story from the Bible
| Queen Esther: A Story from the Bible | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John T. Coyle |
| Screenplay by | James K. Friedrich John T. Coyle H. W. Romberg |
| Based on | Book of Esther |
| Produced by | James K. Friedrich |
| Starring | Ottilie Kruger Richard Hale Addison Richards |
| Cinematography | C. Arthur Feindell |
| Edited by | Thomas Neff |
| Music by | Edward Kilyeni |
Production company | Cathedral Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 50 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $80,606[2] |
Queen Esther: A Story from the Bible is a 1947 American biblical drama film produced by Reverend James K. Friedrich and directed by John T. Coyle. Starring Ottilie Kruger in the title role, it is the first sound film adaptation of the Bible's Book of Esther.[3]
Synopsis
A Jewish man reads the biblical story of Esther to his family.
Cast
- Ottilie Kruger as Esther (as Ottile Kruger)
- Richard Hale as Mordecai
- Addison Richards as Haman
- Charles Evans as King Xerxes
- Cy Kendall as the chamberlain (as Cyrus Kendall)
- Charles Jordan as a scribe
- Rick Vallin as Joram
- Michael Ansara as Zabad
- Virginia Wave as Haman's wife
- Douglas McEachin as a court judge
Production
The film was first announced in May 1947 as The Story of Esther.[4] This was the film debut of Ottile "Ottilie" Kruger, who was the daughter of actor Otto Kruger.[5] It was shot at Nassour Studios in Hollywood.[2]
Reception
Queen Esther: A Story from the Bible premiered in New York and Philadelphia in 1947.[6] A prominent Jewish professor said the film is "a significant contribution to the vitalization of the common religious heritage we share and the common religious tasks which we face."[7]
References
- ^ Suit 2018, p. 226.
- ^ a b Suit 2018, p. 87.
- ^ Suit 2018, p. 86.
- ^ "Cathedral to Make Three Biblical Pix in Summer". The Film Daily. 91 (98): 11. May 20, 1947. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ "NEWSREEL CLIPS". Showmen's Trade Review. 47 (11): 11. September 13, 1947. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
- ^ Weiss, Samuel (1948). "SPECIAL PURPOSE FILMS IN 1947". The 1948 Film Daily Year Book of Motion Pictures. Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc. p. 728.
- ^ ""Queen Esther" Film At Baptist Sunday Evening". The Robesonian. January 26, 1951. p. 7. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
Bibliography
- Suit, Kenneth (2018). James Friedrich and Cathedral Films The Independent Religious Cinema of the Evangelist of Hollywood, 1939-1966. Lexington Books. ISBN 9798216299189.