Peter Finch for Best Actor for "No Love for Johnnie" (1961), although like "Oscar Wilde", the film lost money. He was originally chosen to play Julius Caesar in "Cleopatra" (1963) and filmed scenes in London, but when the film was postponed he withdrew; the role was recast with Rex Harrison. Finch made a series of unsuccessful Hollywood films: "The Sins of Rachel Cade" (1961), an attempt to repeat the success of "The Nun's Story", with Angie Dickinson; then two for director Robert Stevens at MGM: "I Thank a Fool" (1962) and "In the Cool of the Day" (1963). Finch restored his critical
Caesar and Cleopatra (play) throne. Caesar considers that a natural motive and is not offended. But Cleopatra is enraged at Pothinus' allegation and secretly orders her nurse, Ftatateeta, to kill him. At the feast the mood is considerably restrained by Caesar's ascetic preference for simple fare and barley water versus exotic foods and wines. However, conversation grows lively when world-weary Caesar suggests to Cleopatra they both leave political life, search out the Nile's source and a city there. Cleopatra enthusiastically agrees and, to name the city, seeks help from the God of the Nile, who is her favorite god. The festivities are interrupted by