Glad Tidings V: Io Semiramide

We generally don't resort much to this series of screencaps devoted to gladiator movies any more, but sometimes an occasion warrants it. This one's purpose will be revealed as we go along. On a side note, things have been wildly turbulent in The Underworld. As many of you know, this blog started during an economic downturn in which business was so poor I had little else to do at my job. This time, I've been beyond overwhelmed with work thanks to many layoffs, furloughs, etc... And my boss just turned in his resignation! So the work of eight people will now be distributed amongst four! That's going to mean changes of some sort to this site, if nothing other than fewer posts, so bear with me. I've already pulled the plug on our sister site Krazy Kaptions after seven years, but have no plans to do that here. Annnyyywaaayy... Today's movie is from 1963 and bore the English title Slave Queen of Babylon. Starring Yvonne Furneaux (of La Dolce Vita, 1960), it concerns the Assyrian princess-turned-queen's affection for a newly-captured slave who happens to be a king in his own right. Many photos outlining the set & costume splendor with comments as needed. It pissed me off that just a week ago, a gorgeous, sharp, color-corrected rendition of this movie was available for viewing and now it isn't... but oh well. What can ya do?! An okay version is here.

Just another day at the palace...

Ms. Furneaux, who is still with us today at 91, is very striking throughout the film.

"Santa Claus is coming to town...."

Almost like Dr. Moreau assembled her from pieces of Debra Paget, Kate O'Mara and Priscilla Presley!

Santa's summer look just never caught on....

This conquering hero has brought back a wealth of bounty and slaves, one of who will be capturing Furneaux's attention shortly.

He's shown here. One John Ericson.

Before he can do anything, he has to fight for his men against an opponent from another kingdom.

Ericson's stunt double is quite cheeky (and it looks good!)

This is Ericson himself, not as tan and flatter...

He wins the fight, but is sentenced to a slow death nonetheless.

Voluptuous Furneaux has other plans in mind, however.

Amazingly enough, this really was Ericson on the wheel!

He's repeatedly spun and dunked underwater upside-down!

If you know anything about movie filming, you realize that this probably had to be done over and over and over again...

He is taken from the wheel...

...but handed an even worse fate! He's tied, bloody, to a set of posts and left for the lions to eat!

Fortunately, Furneaux sends a few of her trusted agents to free him.

He is treated by some of her servants.

No "Star Trek" nipples here, folks.

"I call this my Statue of Liberty look..."

Bathtime Babylon

What a jaunty little red bathing brief. LOL!

Don't laugh... I've done my fair share of praying in the steam room myself!

And now a different aquatic setting...

Ericson has been elevated to the tutor for Furneaux's son (and heir to the throne)

No Babylonian board shorts here... (But his black briefs waistband is showing a tad.)

Now mama has turned up for a quick bath. Check out the burly guard's abbreviated skirtlet!

Ericson had a real-life scar on his right abdomen. (Appendix?)

As he's mulling over using this boat as an escape, a horn blows and everyone is to turn their faces away from the water and kneel. The princess is taking her bath.

Instead, the daring Ericson sets himself up for a bird's eye view!

And while she's annoyed at his impertinence, she nonetheless is confident enough to exit the water in his full view.

Ericson still doesn't want to be held as a slave, and he enjoys his mistress to a degree, but the uniform is better now anyway.

I love all of Furneaux's follicular bric-a-brac.

Understandably restless as a servant, even a cushy one, Ericson wants to escape.

But he doesn't get far.

Taken to a desert cliff, he's to be executed by bow & arrow by two soldiers.

There's a sort of St. Sebastian thing going on here I think.

Anyway, while the guards are bickering, Ericson leaps off the cliff into a nearby river.

Rather than admit that they failed, Furneaux is informed that Ericson is dead, though she's distraught over losing him.

This is a fun look, too. Sort of Queen of the Amazons.

Love this guy's ring. I wore one like it when I played Pharaoh in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!"

The princess is now Queen after the King's demise. This is probably my favorite look of hers. (Overdone! LOL)

Ericson is not dead, but he's still a captive slave.

The stylists must have seen Robert Ryan as John the Baptist in King of Kings (1961!)

The lovers are reunited during a slave revolt at the quarry where Ericson was toiling.

Furneaux cleans him up and frees his people.

Get a load of the head of hair on this guy.

This is another great look on her. And he is lookin' mighty nice here, too!

There's a fly in the "oinkment," though. One of her advisor's is putting doubts in her ear about Ericson.

Mr. Ericson goes through a whole range of expressions as it dawns on him that he's just been poisoned by his beloved!

The eyes have it!

Before all is said and done...

...the lovers are reunited after all.

One reason we picked this movie to focus on today is because the world lost Mr. John Ericson on May 3rd, 2020. He died of pneumonia at age 93 in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he'd been residing. There is a full profile on him and his career right here. We close with a few more pics of this actor who made a splash as a youth portraying neurotic, troubled or villainous roles.

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

Rhapsody (1954)

Swimming at Debbie Reynolds' home in the early-1950s.

Bring to mind any other stars of more recent years?

Notably steamy in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)

During the opening scene from a 1963 episode of Burke's Law.

Fine!