Cecil Blount DeMille (Aug 12, 1881 - Jan 21, 1959) was an American film maker whose name has become synonymous with the extravagant Hollywood Spectacle. His best known production, the 1956 version of The Ten Commandments, best illustrates the film qualities DeMille is famous for. Massive sets, extras by the thousands and scenes guaranteed to leave audiences' jaws on the floor. To this day, Moses' parting of the Red Sea remains an incredible piece of cinematography. Today his name is invoked whenever anyone refers to a motion picture whose production values go way over the top.