William Wyler of the most important directors in her career. "Friendly Persuasion" (1956) was awarded the Palme d'Or (Golden Palm) at the Cannes Film Festival. And in 1959, Wyler directed "Ben-Hur", which won 11 Oscars, a feat unequaled until "Titanic" in 1997. He had also assisted in the production of the . Wyler and its star, Charlton Heston, both knew what the film meant for MGM, which had massive investments in its final outcome, with the film's budget having gone from $7 million to $15 million, and the fact that MGM was already in dire financial straits. They were aware that if
The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film) station he is moved to buy her a flower. He may have won the battle, but he hasn't won the war. Film rights to the story were owned by Hecht Hill Lancaster. Billy Wilder was signed to direct. Eventually they sold the rights. On its 1960 release, the film was very warmly reviewed by "The New York Times", with critic A. H. Weiler calling it a "gentle, tongue-in-cheek ribbing that cleaves to the spirit, if not entirely to the letter of Thurber's lampoon." The Battle of the Sexes (1959 film) The Battle of the Sexes is a 1959 British black