The Plot Thickens London Slog
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Jul 17, 2025 Alex Bankowitz, daughter of legendary director Joe Mankiewicz, shares behind-the-scenes insights into the chaotic production of 'Cleopatra.' She reveals the enormous pressures on her father and the film crew, discussing Elizabeth Taylor's health crises in London and their impact on the filming schedule. They dive into the film’s groundbreaking budget and the swirling emotions that surrounded its infamous reputation. Alex also touches on her family's Hollywood legacy, intertwining personal memories with the turbulent history of cinema.
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Bathtub Deal That Changed Paychecks
- Elizabeth Taylor famously agreed to play Cleopatra from her bathtub, demanding $1 million and 10% of gross as a joke that became real.
- The studio reluctantly paid the unprecedented salary and staged a fake contract signing for publicity.
Sets Before Script
- Fox prioritized grand sets and visuals over a finished screenplay, leaving designers without a clear blueprint.
- That misplaced priority seeded repeated rebuilds and massive wasted costs that plagued production.
Director Sickened By London Sets
- Ruben Mamoulian inspected the so-called Alexandria set in London and became physically ill at the mismatch with Rome and Egypt.
- The team abandoned Rome sets and rebuilt Alexandria at Pinewood, starting production anew in England.
