The Sign of the Cross

A picture which will proudly lead all the entertainments the world has ever seen

After burning Rome, Emperor Nero decides to blame the Christians, and issues the edict that they are all to be caught and sent to the arena. Two old Christians are caught, and about to be hauled off, when Marcus, the highest military official in Rome, comes upon them. When he sees their stepdaughter Mercia, he instantly falls in love with her and frees them. Marcus pursues Mercia, which gets him into trouble with Emperor (for being easy on Christians) and with the Empress, who loves him and is jealous.

Drama History

Fredric March

(Marcus Superbus - Prefect of Rome)

Elissa Landi

(Mercia)

Claudette Colbert

(Empress Poppaea)

Charles Laughton

(Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar)

Ian Keith

(Tigellinus)

Arthur Hohl

(Titus)

Harry Beresford

(Favius Fontelas)

Tommy Conlon

(Stephan)

Ferdinand Gottschalk

(Glabrio)

Vivian Tobin

(Dacia)

William V. Mong

(Licinius)

Joyzelle Joyner

(Ancaria)

Richard Alexander

(Viturius)

Nat Pendleton

(Strabo)

Clarence Burton

(Servillius)

Harold Healy

(Tybul)

Robert Seiter

(Philodemus)

Charles Middleton

(Tyros)

Henry Brandon

(Colosseum Spectator (uncredited))

John Carradine

(Christian Martyr / Gladiator Leader / Voice in Coliseum Mob (uncredited))

Dave O'Brien

(Christian on Stairway (uncredited))

Sally Rand

(Crocodiles' Victim (uncredited))

Arthur Shields

(Chaplain Costello (1944 Re-Release Prologue) (uncredited))

Tom Tully

(Hoboken (1944 Re-Release Prologue) (uncredited))

Lionel Belmore

(Bettor of 300 Silver)