Samson, an Israelite whose enormous strength is legendary, falls in love with Zorah, a Philistine, and marries her, overcoming his father Manoah's objections.
Practical Effects
1914 muscle suits and temple destruction without CGI — pure analog chaos.
Production
Six whole reels of biblical ambition from Poverty Row origins.
Director
J. Farrell MacDonald
J. Warren Kerrigan
Samson
George Periolat
Manoah
Lule Warrenton
Manoah's Wife
Cleo Madison
Philistine
William Worthington
Ladal
Harold Lloyd
Bearded Philistine Extra (uncredited)
Frank Borzage
Bearded Philistine Extra (uncredited)
Mayme Kelso
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Hal Roach
Bearded Philistine Extra (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director J. Farrell MacDonald later became a prolific character actor in 300+ films, including several John Ford classics.
This 1914 Samson arrived during Hollywood's biblical boom, when studios realized religious epics justified bigger budgets and racier content under moralistic veneers.
US
