Behind-the-Scenes of Missed Hollywood Masterpieces: Batgirl, Marty, Spartacus, and Beyond

Intro

The world of filmmaking is filled with countless stories of films that almost never saw the light of day. From lofty ambitions to crushing realities, these stories offer unique insights into the complex world of Hollywood. In this article, we delve into the fascinating tales of Batgirl, Marty, and Spartacus, three films that were either blocked at critical stages, such as the budgeting and distribution phases, or shelved due to unforeseen complications, let alone those that almost never saw the release.

Batgirl: The Filmmaking Feint

Batgirl initially caught public attention for all the wrong reasons. Despite the fact that Batgirl was not only filmed but completed, DC Comics decided against its release, leading to a wave of speculation and unwanted publicity.

Ernest Borgnine's Revelation

“When I showed up for Marty, there weren’t any sets,” Ernest Borgnine once said. More than a mere coincidence, Marty served as nothing more than a deceptive project. The ominous narrative was unveiled when the studio intended to cancel the film quickly, but for tax purposes. Possible saviors in the form of tax regulations required the movie to be filmed and released before it could be used as a write-off, thereby thwarting the studio's initial plan.

Moreover, a similar incident almost occurred with High Noon. After test audiences showed lackluster interest in the movie, composer Dmitri Tiomkin played a salvaging role by acquiring the rights to the film's theme and releasing it as a single. The success of the theme subsequently nudged the film into public release, marking its much-anticipated debut.

Spartacus: A Story of Perseverance and Success

Production Challenges

Taproot of cinematic history, the production of Spartacus rolled out with scripts and metabolism resembling a rapidly heating engine. Spartacus was in the making when David Lean turned down the job, followed by Anthony Mann's arrival as director. Unfortunately, Mann's tenure lasted only a week, and Kirk Douglas, with a fiery temper at times, swiftly dismissed him, a significant twist after Paths of Glory.

High Stakes and Controversies

Michael Anderson succeeded Mann, but his tenure saw drastic changes. Sabine Bechmann, a German actress contracted to play Varinia, was fired after working only two days, and this was promptly followed by Jean Simmons taking over the role. Anderson suffered a clash with veteran cinematographer Russell Meyers, and to mitigate negative reactions, he cut most of the gory battle scenes filmed outside Madrid, maintaining only one scene. Additionally, a controversial and pivotal scene between Lawrence Olivier and Tony Curtis had to be deleted.

Howard Fast’s Adaptation and Dalton Trumbo’s Credibility Boost

Howard Fast was tasked with adapting his novel into a screenplay but struggled with his inexperience in the format. Dalton Trumbo, a blacklisted screenwriter, replaced Fast and brought his expertise to the project. Trumbo was initially intended to work under a pseudonym, but Kirk Douglas insisted on giving him screen credit for his work, an act that significantly helped to defray the blacklist, which eventually dissolved in 1960.

Box Office Success and Oscars

Spartacus proved to be a monumental box office hit, earning four Academy Awards, though Stanley Kubrick (who later directed A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the controversial Nelson) subsequently distanced himself from the film. Kubrick's myriad artistic ambitions may have been a blessing in disguise, as the film marked a significant turning point in his career and the ending of the blacklist era in Hollywood.

Conclusion

These stories of missed masterpieces and the triumphs that followed are more than mere anecdotal histories. They are cautionary tales and inspiring accounts rooted in the very fabric of filmmaking. From the last-minute illusion of Marty to the creative forces behind Batgirl and Spartacus, the road to cinematic greatness is replete with obstacles and success.