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162 Yes, Mr. DeMille years. '1 took my chances with the leopard. You just don't know what DeMille does to people who spoil scenes." On the other hand, the producer was filled with dark per- plexity over Victor Matured refusal to engage in controlled combat with a lion in Samson and Delilah He was not expect- ing more of Mature than was called for by the Book of Judges. There was no gainsaying the fact that the actor was portraying an Old Testament hero who not only crushed beasts with bare hands but is Scripturally acknowledged to have carried away the huge city gates of Gaza. DeMille decided not to meet the problem head-on, thinking Mature might be converted over to the idea if it simmered for a while. He went into the actor s dressing room one day. Mature had not yet given an answer. DeMille broadly hinted at the importance of the Samson-slays- lion scene. "I never use stuffed animals in my pictures if it can be helped/* he said. "And I'll tell you why; they always look stuffed" The fun-loving actor grinned. "Look, C.B., there's only one Mature and I would hate to see him go this way." The producer asked him to consider the disposition of the beast they were to use. "I am not going to press the matter, but I can assure you it will be perfectly safe. This lion was trained as a cub and fed on milk." When DeMille had departed, Mature mused to a friend, "I was raised on milk, too, but I eat meat now." As a last-ditch measure, DeMille discussed the problem with Hedy Lamarr, who volunteered to parade the aging beast past Matured dressing room door. This she did, nervously clutching a chain-leash. Mature poked his head out of the dressing room and applauded. "You're so beautiful, Hedy, I can see how any lion would follow you around." He felt the attitude of the lion might change drastically toward a male, particularly one at- tempting to apply an unfriendly headlock. What Mature finally took on in combat was an expertly