This film is part of Free
Star Cabaret 1956
A lively collection of largely comic amateur films, followed by a glimpse at the sets of On the Beach and Ben-Hur.
Overview
A sprightly mixture of live action and model work makes up this compilation of largely comic amateur films made by the photographer Roderic Vickers and friends. These are followed by film shot by Vickers in Australia during production of Stanley Kramer's On the Beach, and then by some particularly fascinating footage he shot on the back lot of Cinecitta Studios in Rome. The latter was filmed during the production of Ben-Hur, with the vast set under construction and the chariot horses in training.
On the Beach was shot on location in Australia between January and March 1959 and starred Gregory Peck, Fred Astaire and Anthony Perkins, all of whom can be seen in this home movie (Ava Gardener was the female lead but does not appear here). Ben-Hur was filmed at the Cinecitta studios in Rome between May 1958 and January 1959 and starred Charlton Heston, who can briefly be seen in this footage.
