Ep 3. The Squaw Man

The Squaw Man is the third episode of the first season of The Cecil B. DeMille Classics Collection. This classic film is a groundbreaking feature-length production of the famed stage play by Edwin Milton Royle, and was the directorial debut of legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille.

Released in 1914, The Squaw Man tells the story of Captain James Wynnegate, a young British nobleman who faces a series of personal and professional challenges after he is accused of cheating on a gaming table. Faced with disgrace and ruin, Wynnegate decides to leave England and start a new life in America. He travels to the American West, where he discovers that he has inherited a ranch from his cousin. He arrives at the ranch to find that his cousin's wife, Nat-u-ritch, has been ostracized by the local community because she is a Native American, or "squaw."

Wynnegate and Nat-u-ritch form an unlikely bond and fall in love. However, their relationship is threatened by the arrival of Lady Diana, a wealthy and privileged British woman who has come to America to find Wynnegate and marry him. Wynnegate is torn between his duty to his social status and his love for Nat-u-ritch, as well as his loyalty to his cousin's memory.

The Squaw Man was a groundbreaking film for its time, as it was one of the first feature-length movies produced in Hollywood. It also marked the start of DeMille's long and illustrious career as a filmmaker. The film was lauded for its epic scope and sweeping cinematography, which captured the rugged beauty of the American West. It was also praised for its nuanced portrayal of Native Americans, who were often relegated to stereotypical roles in Hollywood films.

The Squaw Man was remade twice, in 1918 and 1931. DeMille himself directed the 1931 version, which is considered one of the finest films of the early sound era.

The Cecil B. DeMille Classics Collection is a tribute to one of Hollywood's most prolific and influential filmmakers. The series showcases some of DeMille's most memorable films, including The Ten Commandments, Samson and Delilah, and The Greatest Show on Earth. The series is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood cinema, and is a testament to DeMille's enduring legacy as a master storyteller.