Soares, AndreL
. . Beyond paradise : the life of Ramon Novarro / AndreL
Soares. 1st ed. 0312282311 series New York : St. Martin's Press, 2002.
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN2287.N6 S66 2002

Beyond Paradise by AndreL
Soares oultines the life of Ramon Novarro, the man who played Judah Ben-Hur.  It is a history of his birth in Mexico, his move to Hollywood, his career, and his death. 

In the chapter, "Harrowing Triumph," a lot is discussed about Novarro and Ben-Hur.  Hazardous stunts for both the sea battle and the chariot race are addressed and Soares describes them as "life-threatening."  One reason the chariot race was life-threatening for Novarro was due to the fact the "he never quite achieved dexterity in chariot riding."  In one shoot he "made a wrong move which resulted to his chariot being trampled."

Leading to publicity over these facts, director Fred Niblo told the press that Novarro performed all of his own stunts even though stunt double Buster Gallagher was present for longshots.  Moreover, the chariot race started its shooting in Italy (outlined in the preceding chapter "How Fate Works") and was moved to Hollywood because of the merging of the Goldwyn Company and the Mayer Company.  The newly formed MGM wanted to run a tighter ship and stop the negative press that had started circulating around the picture. 

With this move to Culver City, CA, the day of the chariot race's main shooting became an unoffical holiday in Hollywood.  On this October 3rd, the crew armed with 42 cameras--some on cars and overhead airplanes, shot a quarter of the footage recorded.  Many Hollywood players were in attendance as extras.  Overall 200,000 feet of film was shot for the chariot race and it was edited down to 750 feet. 

Soares then continues saying that MGM's future rested on the public recption of its epic, and Nicholas Shenck wrote that "it was the most magnificent opening I ever witnessed."

For my question "How can one scene effect a studio?" numerous points are addressed above.  First off, the publicity created because of the life-threatening stunts created hype which Niblo was able to fuel.  Moreover, the drawn out production of the film led the public to be eager with anticipation when the film finally released.  Plus, the magnitude--the 42 cameras, the editing, and other resources--undoubtedly cost money and put pressure on MGM to make sure this film succeeded.  All in all this book tells a great tale as to how this movie, and moreover the spectacle of the chariot race scene effected the newly formed MGM studio.