Harrington, Wallace :: Themed Gallery - Sci Fi and Film Noir Actresses of the 1950's and 1960's

Jim Silke - Debra Paget - The Indian Tomb - Snake Dance Scene

Artist: Jim Silke (All)

6 Comments - 11,548 Views - 12 Likes

Jim Silke - Debra Paget - The Indian Tomb - Snake Dance Scene Comic Art

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Artwork Details

Title:	Jim Silke - Debra Paget - The Indian Tomb - Snake Dance Scene
Artist:	Jim Silke (All)
Media Type:	Mixed Media
Art Type:	Commission
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	11,548
Likes on CAF:	12 13
Favorited on CAF:	1
Comments:	6
Added to Site:	2/19/2017
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Debra Paget is one of those unforgettable actresses. Certainly, she was beautiful; stunningly so. But more so she had a presence. It was her role as Teena Riconti in the 1948 film noir movie, “Cry of the City”, that brought her to the attention of 20th Century-Fox. She was only 18 and had just finished high school. For whatever reason, once she signed a contract the studio often had her playing a Native American, as she did in "Broken Arrow", "White Feather" and "The Last Hunt".

To be sure, it was her role as Princess Shalimar in “Princess of the Nile” and Lilia in “The Ten Commandments” that brought her the most fame. One source said that the fan mail Paget received at 20th Century-Fox after “Princess of the Nile” was topped only by that for Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable. During that time she had a 2-year love affair with Howard Hughes and it was also rumored that Elvis Presley was so smitten with her that he proposed in 1959.

Paget had a link to comics, as well. In 1953, wearing a blonde wig, she auditioned along with Anita Ekberg and Irish McCalla for the role in “Sheena, Queen of the Jungle” and later had a role in the 1954 adaptation of “Prince Valiant”.

Paget's career began to decline in 1957 after “The River's Edge”. After that, she was most often cast as South Sea Island maidens or middle-east harem girls. That led her to be cast as Seetha in Fritz Lang's “Journey to the Lost City/The Indian Tomb”. Like “Princess of the Nile”, that film is best remembered by Paget’s exotic (erotic) dance scenes. And that is the inspiration for this great painting by the incomparable Jim Silke.

After that. Paget’s career became a succession of guest roles in a number of TV shows like Riverboat, Rawhide and Burke’s Law. Me... I'll always remember that dance scene. Look it up... it's on Youtube.

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About the Owner

	Wallace Harrington ( 27 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	December 2004
Last Login:	September 2025
Ebay Id:	wwh27539
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Wallace 's Classifieds Wallace 's Want List Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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Comments on this Artwork

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Will Gabri-El
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/19/2017

Quite the snake charmer...and wonderful painted rendition!

Lance Suarez
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/19/2017

Beautiful Wally

F M
Member Since 2005

Posted on 2/20/2017

Splendid

Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004

Posted on 2/20/2017

I'd never heard of Paget before but did enlighten myself. Great dance scenes and a great theme for a commission.

Mark Levy
Member Since 2004

Posted on 8/15/2020

Love the theme of this gallery - and certainly this one educated me on Debra Paget...now I know who the true beauty was in the 10 Commandments..."Beauty is but a curse to our women"...

Artpix Collection
Member Since 2021

Posted on 11/19/2022

A truly inspiring painting, subject and story. Superbly curated - well done sir!

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