- Elana Eden, The Story of Ruth, 1959. Producer Bronston announced his new star in a seven-minute trailer. She was chosen “because of her natural qualities, which most faithfully exemplify this beloved biblical heroine… Elana Eden comes to us from the Holy Land following a worldwide search in which literally over a score of young, talented actresses were tested.” Including Diane Baker, Myrna Fahey, Ulla Jacobsson (from Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night, 1955) Susan Kohne ,and Tina Louise. Plus Millie Perkins and Susan Strasberg who (like Eden) had tested for The Diary of Anne Frank – won by Millie in 1958. Variety buried Ruth as a “moth-eaten, misleading mishmash of biblical hysterics.”
- Britt Ekland, The Double Man, 1966. Hollywood director Franklin J Schaffner first asked the Ingmar Bergman find to play Gina opposite Yul Brynner in his espionage drama. Britt was younger, prettier. Not better.
Birth year: 1929Death year: 1982Other name: Casting Calls: 2