The Prodigal (1955)
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One critic has noted that The Prodigal was aptly titled, inasmuch as it was all too prodigal with the funds of the then-flagging MGM studios. In its retelling of the 22-verse Biblical story of the Prodigal Son, the film helpfully fills in the story details inconsiderately left out of the Old Testament. Edmond Purdon plays Micah, the wastrel son of Eli (Walter Hampden) who takes his share of his father's fortune and blows it all in wicked old Damascus. Micah's one redeeming feature is his unserving faithful in the Lord God Jehovah. Pagan princess Samarra (Lana Turner at her most giddily exotic) intends to seduce Micah into renouncing his faith, only to get stoned to death for her troubles. Nearly two hours pass before Micah returns home and the fatted calf is killed in his honor. If for nothing else, The Prodigal would be memorable for Lana Turner's pagan-ritual costume, which is little more than a glorified bikini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 112 mins
Complete Cast:
- Lana Turner - Samarra
- Louis Calhern - Nahreeb
- Neville Brand - Rhakim
- Taina Elg - Elissa
- Francis L. Sullivan - Bosra the Moneylender
- Sandy Descher - Yasmin
- Philip Tonge - Barber/Surgeon
- Henry Daniell - Ramadi
- Tracey Roberts - Tahra
- Jay Novello - Merchant
- Phyllis Graffeo - Miriam
- George Sawava - Kavak
- Ann Cameron - Lahla
- John Rosser - Lirhan
- Argentina Brunetti - Woman
- Jo Gilbert - Mother
- Dayton Lummis - Caleb
- George Robotham - Martyr
- Diane Gump - Fox
- Tom Steele - Slave
- Gordon Richards - Scribe
- Allison Hayes
- John Damler - Jailer
- Edmund Purdom - Micah
- Audrey Dalton - Ruth
- James Mitchell - Asham
- Walter Hampden - Eli, Micah's Father
- Joseph Wiseman - Carmish
- Cecil Kellaway - Governor
- David Leonard - Blind Man
- Paul Cavanagh - Tobiah
- Jarma Lewis - Uba
- Dorothy Adams - Carpenter's Wife
- Eugene Mazzola - David
- Richard Devon - Risafe
- Gloria Dea - Faradine
- Charles Wagenheim - Zubeir
- Paul Bryar - Townsman
- Rex Lease - Purveyor
- Chuck Roberson - Chieftain
- Patricia Jackson - Lion
- Linda Danson - Owl
- Almira Sessions - Old Lady
- George Lewis - Guard
- John Dehner - Joram
- Director(s):
- Richard Thorpe
- Writer(s):
- Samuel James Larsen, Maurice Zimm, Joe Breen, Jr.
- Producer(s):
- Charles Schnee
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- Subtitles:
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