Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925 film) his body. Gertrude Olmstead was cast as Esther. While on location in Italy, Walsh was fired and replaced by Ramon Novarro. The role of Esther went to May McAvoy. Shooting began in Rome, Italy in October 1923 under the direction of Charles Brabin who was replaced shortly after filming began. Additional recastings (including Ramon Novarro as Ben-Hur) and a change of director caused the production's budget to skyrocket. After two years of difficulties and accidents, the production was eventually moved back to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Culver City, California and production resumed in the spring of 1925. B. Reeves Eason and Christy
Escape Me Never (1935 film) 19th most popular film at the British box office in 1935/36. Wilcox was surprised by its success – it outgrossed his more "commercial" films. Escape Me Never (1935 film) Escape Me Never is a 1935 British drama film directed by Paul Czinner, produced by Herbert Wilcox, and starring Elisabeth Bergner, Hugh Sinclair and Griffith Jones. The film is an adaptation of the play "Escape Me Never" by Margaret Kennedy; a later adaptation was the 1947 Warner Bros. version. The score is by William Walton. Bergner was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance, but lost out