New box sets feature DeMille, Davis, Wayne

Three new-to-DVD box sets include an array of films by Cecil B. DeMille, Bette Davis and John Wayne — and some have Utah connections. Also included here is a single disc of an early DeMille silent movie.

• "The Cecil B. DeMille Collection" (Universal, 1932-39, not rated, b/w, $59.98, five discs). These are early "talkie" DeMille films, and all but one are of the epic nature with which we associate his name.

— "The Sign of the Cross" (1932). This version of DeMille's tale of Christians repressed by Rome is uncut and surprisingly violent and sexy (it was made before the Production Code went into effect). Great cast includes Charles Laughton, with a false nose as Nero; Fredric March as Marcus, a Roman military leader who sides with the Christians and incurs Nero's wrath; and especially Claudette Colbert, who is great as the sensual Empress Poppaea, who isn't happy when Marcus throws her over for a young Christian woman. The film is undercut by plodding, over-the-top writing and direction, but it's still quite entertaining. (DVD debut.)

— "Four Frightened People" (1934) is a change of pace for DeMille. Think of the TV series "Lost" as it

might be set in the '30s, with shipwrecked characters struggling to survive. Claudette Colbert and Herbert Marshall star. Filmed in Hawaii (as is "Lost"). (Home video debut.)

— "Cleopatra" (1934). Claudette Colbert is a standout — and a knockout — in the title role of this film, which is miles better than the '60s version with Elizabeth Taylor. This is one of DeMille's best, a lavish production with an intelligent approach to the material. (DVD debut.)

— "The Crusades" (1935). Loretta Young (who was born in Salt Lake City) stars here as a queen captured by infidels and then rescued by Richard the Lionheart in this massive re-creation of the Crusades. Fun stuff, but history it ain't. (DVD debut.)

— "Union Pacific" (1939) is one of DeMille's best efforts, the story of the first transcontinental railroad, with Joel McCrea and Robert Preston fighting over Barbara Stanwyck when they aren't fighting each other over the railroad. DeMille stages not one but two impressive train wrecks! Brian Donlevy and Anthony Quinn co-star as villains (and look fast for Lon Chaney Jr.). Filmed in Utah, it concludes with the driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Point.

Extras: Full frame, trailers, subtitle options (English, Spanish, French), chapters. (These films are not being sold individually.) (DVD debut.)

• "The Clinging Vine"/"The Age of Ballyhoo" (Image, 1926/1973, not rated, b/w, $24.99).