- Ramon Novarro, Ben-Hur, 1926. Shooting of the silent epic in Italy was rapidly aborted by the newly formed MGM. Metro boss LB Mayer and his production chief and in-house genius Irving Thalberg cast around for a new hero to replace Raoul Walsh’s brother, George, in the title role. They tried cowboys, ”Jewish looking” and Latin types. And silent director DW Griffith’s Madrid-born find, Antonio Garride Monteagudo, lost out to the Mexican Ramon Samaniegos… who had made 153 movies by his death. Also considered for Judah Ben-Hur was Novarro’s lover: Rodolfo Alfonzo Raffaelo Pierre Filibert Guglielmi di Valentina d’Antonguolla. Better known as… Rudolph Valentino.
- Monroe Owsley, The Keyhole, 1932. Change of Kay Francis’ first husband – and still is when she’s wed to another man. Owsley, therefore, blackmails her about her bigamy. She gives him $10,000 “go away and leave me alone.” It’s never easy…
Birth year: 1887Death year: 1967Other name: Casting Calls: 2