... On David Lean's EPIC 'Lawrence of Arabia':
The role of Sherif Ali was originally intended for Horst Buchholz but he was forced to turn it down owing to his commitment to Billy Wilder's movie One, Two, Three. Second choice Alain Delon tested successfully but suffered problems with the brown contact lenses required for the role. Maurice Ronet was then cast but was replaced after difficulties with his French accent and his Arabian dress (Lean complained "He looked like me walking around in drag").
Marlon Brando was signed for the role of T.E. Lawrence in 1960 but dropped out to take the role of Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty. After that, Anthony Perkins was also briefly considered.
While filming, Peter O'Toole bonded with co-star Omar Sharif. Recalls Sharif, "Peter and I were like brothers immediately. He said to me, 'Your name is not Omar Sharif - no one is called Omar Sharif. Your real name is probably Freddy something!' And for the rest of the film and the rest of our lives, he's never called me Omar. He calls me Freddy."
To film Omar Sharif's entrance through a mirage, Freddie Young used a special 482mm lens from Panavision. Panavision still has this lens, and it is known among cinematographers as the "David Lean lens". It was created specifically for this shot and has not been used since.
Peter O'Toole finally mastered his camel-riding technique by adding a layer of sponge rubber under the saddle to ease his bruised backside...a practical innovation quickly adopted by the actual Bedouin tribesmen acting as extras during the desert location filming.
Peter O'Toole is considerably taller and better looking than the real T.E. Lawrence (6'3" to Lawrence's real life height of 5'6"). Noel Coward is rumored to have said, on seeing the premiere, "If he'd been any prettier, they'd have had to call it Florence of Arabia."
Alec Guinness had a life-long interest in T.E. Lawrence, and had played him in a production of Terence Rattigan's play "Ross" on stage. Guinness wanted very much to play Lawrence, but David Lean and Sam Spiegel both told him he was too old. Laurence Olivier was the original choice for Prince Feisal, and Guinness was shifted to that role when Olivier turned it down.
Peter O'Toole was nearly killed during the first take of the Aqaba scene. A gun (used to signal the beginning of the scene) went off prematurely, and O'Toole's camel panicked, throwing him to the ground, while the extras on horseback began charging. Fortunately for O'Toole, his camel stayed still and stood over O'Toole, saving him from being trampled.
The film took longer to make than it did for the real T.E. Lawrence to go from lieutenant to colonel, to see the desert tribes united and tip the balance in the Allies' favor against the Turks in World War I.
Alec Guinness was made up to look like the real Faisal as close as possible. When they were shooting in Jordan, several people who knew the man mistook him for the real thing. Guinness shaved his head for his role.
Anthony Quinn applied his own make-up and would often arrive in real Arab clothes. At one point, David Lean mistook him for a native on the studio lot and so he sent his assistant to tell Quinn that he had replaced by this new arrival.
The film was banned in many Arab countries as they felt they were misrepresented. Omar Sharif arranged with President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt to view the film to show him there was nothing wrong with the way they were portrayed. Nasser loved the film and allowed it to be released in Egypt where it went on to become a monster hit.
Peter O'Toole claimed that he learned more about acting from his few days of filming with José Ferrer than he did in all his years at drama school.
At one point when filming was progressing far too slowly for his liking, producer Sam Spiegel invited William Wyler to visit the set. He wanted Wyler to encourage Lean to rely more on his second units for filming additional scenes, as he had done on Ben-Hur. The visit was to no avail, however, as Lean was too much of a perfectionist to relinquish control.
The film missed out on a 11th Oscar nomination - for Best Costume Design - because someone forgot to submit Phyllis Dalton's name for consideration.
Dalton devised a subtle way to indicate T.E. Lawrence's failing grip. As the film progresses, his robes become thinner and thinner until they are virtually translucent.
Great idea, Ruth. Glad I could contribute a little something to it. Many thanks.
Thank YOU Michael! Won’t be the same without you!
Oops! You forgot one!
I did, sorry!! But I’ve fixed it as soon as I noticed it, so it’s probably there as you’re posting your comment
Thanks Keith!
So glad to have been a part of this!
Glad to have you take part, too! Thanks so much!
Hooray! it’s live! Yes!
thank you for putting this thoughtful event together, Ruth!
Thanks T! I’m so glad you could take part. I love that you went with the really obscure for your picks!
Thank you Ruth. just following orders!
I enjoyed puttin it together
Thanks for putting this all together, Ruth! Glad to take part.
Thanks Ryan! I’m glad you’re able to join in on the fun
Great stuff Ruth. I’ve already came across a few surprises. Brilliant idea.
Yeah me too! There are a few I haven’t even heard of, but I’m sure they’re all worthy to be highlighted and to be given the credit they deserve!
This has been really, really cool. I’m already learning about several performances from films I’ve never seen. My notepad and Netflix is filling up!
Glad to hear Keith, that makes me very happy!!
http://drowningmachine.blogspot.com/2012/10/small-role-big-performance.html
I’ve added you on the list. Thanks Naomi!
Thanks for doing this, Ruth. I love being a part of SRBP.
And I love that you’re taking part, Fernando. Great post btw!
Here’s mine:
http://widescreenworld.blogspot.com/2012/10/small-roles-big-performances-kevin.html
Thanks Rich!
Hey Ruth – Here’s me done: http://wp.me/pRv7T-1EB
Awesome! I’ve added you Iba.
That is quite the turn out ruth! I hope you will host more blogathons – this one was so much fun! Also i love the animated banner with the performances!
Thank you Sati, that means a lot to me! I was hoping someone would notice the animated gif, and somehow I knew it’d be you
I noticed that as well. Although I thought my eyes were playing tricks at first. Very impressively done Ruth. I’m just working my through them all wen I can. You must be very proud and excited?
Yay, another one! I just thought it’d be fun to include as many pics of the actors as I could without overwhelming the page. I’m thrilled at the turnout, Mark, so thank YOU for taking part. It won’t be the same without my blog friends!
I don’t think there would be anyone would disagree with me in saying that this is all your doing and that you’ve done a fantastic job here. Congratulations Ruth, and thank YOU.
Thanks for organizing this Ruth. It’s a lot of fun reading everyone’s contribution to this blogathon! Many great picks to sift through.
Thanks Castor! Glad you could join in. There really are some great picks here, lots of surprises too!
Look at the number of bloggers who have joined in!! You have created a succesful blogathon, Ruth
Thank you Nov! And I’m thrilled to see your blog among them, yay!
This was a really fun blogathon, Ruth. Hope you do more.
I might do so next year, just have to think of a good topic
Thanks for participating, Josh!
Glad I can join, Ruth. Once again, great idea for a blog-a-thon. These actors need more appreciation.
Thanks Andina and I’m so glad you could join!
It’s nice reading more about these supporting or small role actors, they tend to not get much attention from the big media but glad the film bloggers all over are giving their dues.
Indeed Ted, glad to see such a good turnout!
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Hey Ruth, here’s my addition to this Blogathon!
http://www.fernbyfilms.com/2012/10/03/small-roles-big-performances/
Thanks Rodney, I’ve added you!
Thanks for hosting this blogathon Ruth. Great idea…well done!
Thank YOU for taking part Dan. It’s only as awesome as those who participated
I am SO going to participate !!!
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Hi Ruth! I was able to get some writing done last night and just posted my entry:
http://twscritic.com/2012/10/03/blogathon-small-roles-big-performances/
Thanks for setting this up, and for extending the deadline a bit!
Wahoo!! I’ll add your to the list shortly.
Here’s mine:
http://ulilkecil.wordpress.com/2012/10/03/movie-blogathon-small-roles-big-performances/
Late as always
Not a problem, glad to see you’re participating Wulan!
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I’ve just finished mine. Hope I wasn’t late!
http://lightscamerareaction.co.uk/small-roles-big-performances/
Awesome! I’ll add yours to the list. No it’s not too late as I’m accepting submissions ’til Friday
AWESOME idea for a blogathon, Ruth. I don’t know if I’ll get to it but the possibilities are endless. I love this.
Thanks John! Hey, whenever you get to it, just send me the link and I’ll add it
Hi Ruth, I’ve written my entry. Great blogathon, by the way!
http://terrymalloyspigeoncoop.com/2012/10/04/small-roles-big-performances-blogathon/
Hi Terry! Glad to see you taking part!
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Thanks for having me, I had fun writing it, although it was tough finding examples. Good job Ruth!
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