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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Associated Press file (click to enlarge) *** FILE *** Actor Charlton Heston in character for his part in the movie "Crossed Swords" in 1977. Heston, who won the 1959 best actor Oscar as the chariot-racing "Ben-Hur" and portrayed Moses, Michelangelo, El Cid and other heroic figures in movie epics of the '50s and '60s, died Saturday April 5, 2008 according to a statement from the actor's family. He was 84. (AP Photo/HO) (click to enlarge) Charlton Heston, in the title role, drives his chariot toward the finish line in a scene from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 1960 film "Ben-Hur." The spectacular movie is based upon Gen. Lew Wallace's classic novel. (AP photo/ho) (click to enlarge) (click to enlarge) From left are actors Victor Mature, Richard Burton and Michael Rennie in a scene from "The Robe" in this April 1953 photo. The writers of some of Hollywood's best-known films are getting the credits they were long denied since they had to work under fake names to get around a McCarthy-era blacklist. Albert Maltz's name was added the movie co-written with Philip Dunne and adapted by Gina Kaus. The original credit listed Dunne and Kaus. (AP Photo) (click to enlarge) (click to enlarge) Judy Garland and Fred Astaire dance and sing together in this photo from the 1948 musical "Easter Parade". (AP Photo)   ADVERTISEMENT     Related Stories • Cinematic Easter 4/12/09   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, April 12, 2009 7 classic movies for Easter By Andy Rathbun, Herald Writer The Bible has inspired a lot more than followers. Hollywood has made enough money telling the story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to give even a nonbeliever pause. In celebration of Easter, we looked at a few of the movies and shows connected with today's holiday. The seven we found collectively earned 27 Academy Award nominations and more than half a billion dollars at the box office. Most focus on Christ, some use Easter itself as a backdrop, and one is, admittedly, a television special. "The Passion of the Christ," 2004 Starring: Mount Vernon native Jim Caviezel. Nothing says Easter like an R-rated Mel Gibson flick. Despite -- or is it because of? -- loads of controversy, this movie became a smash, earning $371 million in theaters. The graphic retelling of Christ's death now sits at No. 12 on a list of the highest grossing movies of all time, between "Spider-Man 2" and "Jurassic Park." "Ben-Hur," 1959 Starring: Charlton Heston Based on an 1880 novel, "Ben-Hur" had been adapted into a silent movie long before Heston laid hands on it. His square-jawed portrayal of the merchant-turned-slave became a blockbuster, however, winning a record 11 Academy Awards. It remains a critical favorite, lauded for its thrilling chariot race and epic scope. "Jesus Christ Superstar," 1973 Starring: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson The songwriting team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice scored their first hit with the biblically inspired "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Rather than mess with success, the two used the good book for their follow-up, a psychedelic take on Christ's betrayal that turned the part of Judas Iscariot into a starring role. "The Greatest Story Ever Told," 1965 Starring: Max von Sydow Critics and audiences alike shrugged over this epic, meant to be a crowning achievement for director George Stevens. Some were distracted by the cameos: John Wayne as "The Centurion," Pat Boone as "Young Man at the Tomb," and Shelley Winters as "Woman of No Name." Others simply thought it fell short of its grandiose title. "The Robe," 1953 Starring: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons Upon its release, "The Robe" was famous for two things: being adapted from a best-selling book and giving audiences their first look at CinemaScope, a new technology that doubled the width of movie screens. Today, the film lives on in a newly restored Blu-ray DVD released in March, and may be best known as one of the first hits for Burton (above, center). "Easter Parade," 1948 Starring: Fred Astaire, Judy Garland Astaire starred in this musical as a New York dancer who loses his partner -- and girlfriend -- at Easter time. He quickly recruits a new partner, played by Garland, and the two fall in love, dancing through a collection of Irving Berlin songs such as "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and, of course, "Easter Parade." "It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown," 1974 Charles Schulz wrote the story for this television special, which finds Linus trying to sell the Peanuts gang on the Easter Beagle. A dubious Sally mentions that Linus' story of the Great Pumpkin didn't come true. His response: "This is different. That was Halloween. This is Easter." Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455, arathbun@heraldnet.com READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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