Androcles and the Lion
George Bernard Shaw’s breezy, delightful dramatization of this classic fable—about a Christian slave who pulls a thorn from a lion’s paw and is spared from death in the Colosseum as a result of his kind act—was written as a meditation on modern Christian values. Pascal’s final Shaw production is played broadly, with comic character actor Alan Young as the titular naïf. He’s ably supported by Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Robert Newton, and Elsa Lanchester.
Victor Matureas CaptainJean Simmonsas LavininaAlan Youngas AndroclesRobert Newtonas FerroviusMaurice Evansas CaesarElsa Lanchesteras MegaeraReginald Gardineras LentulusGene Lockhartas Menagerie KeeperAlan Mowbrayas Editor of GladiatorsNoel Willmanas SpinthoJohn Hoytas CatoJim Backusas CenturionLowell Gilmoreas MetellusWoody Strodeas The LionStrother Martinas Soldier (uncredited)Millard Sherwoodas Christian (uncredited)