The Plot Thickens: London Slog – A Detailed Summary

Episode: London Slog
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Series: Cleopatra (Season 6)
Host: Ben Mankiewicz
Guest: Alex Bankowitz (Daughter of Joe Mankiewicz)

1. Introduction

In the episode titled "London Slog," host Ben Mankiewicz delves deep into the tumultuous production of the legendary film Cleopatra. Drawing from family stories, personal diaries, and interviews, Ben uncovers the myriad challenges that plagued one of Hollywood's most infamous movie sets. The episode reveals how these struggles not only derailed the film but also profoundly affected his uncle, Joe Mankiewicz.

2. The Mankiewicz Family Legacy

Ben begins by introducing his family background, highlighting the prominence of his uncle Joe Mankiewicz in Hollywood. Joe, an acclaimed writer and director, had four Oscars displayed proudly on the family fireplace mantle. However, amidst this glory, Cleopatra remained a ghostly absence, a project shrouded in failure within the family’s narrative.

Ben Mankiewicz [00:35]: "My great uncle, my grandfather's brother, lived in a farmhouse in upstate New York... Joe was a seriously big deal in Hollywood during the 1940s and 50s."

Ben's cousin, Alex Bankowitz, Joe's daughter, provides additional insights into their childhood, emphasizing the shadow Cleopatra cast over Joe's legacy.

Alex Bankowitz [01:15]: "Upstairs in the house, there was a corridor lined with posters of all of the movies that he directed... The one poster Joe did not hang was for a movie he directed called Cleopatra."

3. The Genesis of Cleopatra

Cleopatra was an ambitious project that aimed to be Hollywood's most spectacular epic. Starring Elizabeth Taylor, the film boasted the highest budget in Hollywood history at its inception. However, behind the scenes, the production was marred by a series of unfortunate events.

Ben Mankiewicz [01:46]: "Cleopatra took three years to make... But in the house of Joe Mankiewicz, Cleopatra was a ghost. It did not exist outside of Joe's house, everyone knew about Cleopatra. It was Hollywood's most famous disaster."

4. Elizabeth Taylor's Pivotal Role

Elizabeth Taylor, already a monumental star by 1963, was pivotal to Cleopatra. Her influence extended beyond her acting prowess; her demanding contract and personal life became central to the film's narrative.

Elizabeth's negotiation tactics set new standards in Hollywood. When confronted by producer Walter Wanger about her casting, she boldly demanded an unprecedented salary and profit share.

Alex Bankowitz [11:23]: "I was getting so sick of it. I really didn't want to do it."

Elizabeth Taylor [11:44]: "Tell him I'll do it for a million dollars and 10% of the absolute gross."

This audacious move not only secured her role but also established her as the first actress to command a guaranteed million dollars for a single film.

Ben Mankiewicz [19:30]: "She did it. Elizabeth Taylor became the first actress to land a guaranteed million dollars for a single movie."

5. Production Challenges: From Rome to London

Walter Wanger, the producer behind Cleopatra, faced significant hurdles even before filming commenced. The absence of a solid script led to ineffective set designs and continual budget overruns. Efforts to build authentic Egyptian sets first in Los Angeles, then Rome, and finally London proved futile.

Ben Mankiewicz [24:13]: "And we started to build the city the second time in Rome. And that went on for some months... Now build again, this time in a city with the wrong landscape, the wrong history, even the wrong climate."

The decision to relocate production to Pinewood Studios in London introduced a new set of problems, including unfavorable weather conditions and logistical nightmares.

Alex Bankowitz [30:38]: "London turned out to be a terrible choice."

Climate issues were rampant, with incessant rain causing major setbacks. Additionally, efforts to make London resemble ancient Alexandria were met with limited success, further inflating costs and delaying production.

Ben Mankiewicz [31:38]: "Palm trees had been flown in from Hollywood, but the fresh palm leaves had to be shipped from Egypt."

6. Health Crises and Delays

Elizabeth Taylor's persistent health issues significantly disrupted the filming schedule. Initially dismissed as a common cold, her symptoms worsened, leading to extensive hospitalizations. These health scares not only halted production but also fueled rampant media speculation and rumors.

Ben Mankiewicz [35:11]: "One time she even punctured her esophagus. In London. She was sick for weeks, couldn't work."

Taylor's deteriorating health became a focal point for negative publicity, putting immense pressure on the already strained production team.

7. Leadership Turmoil and the Entry of Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Amid the chaos, director Reuben Mamoulian became increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress and the continued delays caused by Taylor's absence. His subsequent resignation aggravated the situation, leaving the production in dire need of leadership.

In a pivotal turn, Walter Wanger turned to Joseph L. Mankiewicz—Ben's uncle—to salvage the floundering project. Despite Joe's reservations and reluctance to take on such a colossal task, his appointment marked a critical juncture in the film's troubled journey.

Ben Mankiewicz [43:04]: "He's a past master and a super psychiatrist."

Joe's involvement brought a glimmer of hope, given his esteemed reputation and previous successes. However, the stage was set for a continued saga of challenges.

8. Conclusion: The Lasting Impact on Joe Mankiewicz

The episode culminates by reflecting on the profound personal toll Cleopatra took on Joe Mankiewicz. The relentless stress, failed ambitions, and the eventual collapse of the production left Joe altered, a man burdened by the weight of a project that spiraled beyond control.

Alex Bankowitz [04:18]: "I think it destroyed something crucial in Joe Mankiewicz."

Through heartfelt anecdotes and historical analysis, Ben and Alex paint a vivid picture of a man whose legacy was irrevocably intertwined with the rise and fall of Cleopatra.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Ben Mankiewicz [04:14]: "I think the film ruined him."
• Alex Bankowitz [05:08]: "I don't want to recall any of Cleopatra. It just sent me into a tremendous depression."
• Ben Mankiewicz [07:40]: "His writing is hard to read, though. After 10 or 15 minutes, you start to be able to decipher Joe Mankiewicz's ease here."
• Alex Bankowitz [44:03]: "She didn't win, but she considered it her best performance and she gave credit to Suddenly Last Summer's director, Joe Mankiewicz."

Closing Thoughts

"London Slog" offers an intimate and comprehensive exploration of one of Hollywood's most storied productions. Through personal narratives and meticulous research, Ben Mankiewicz not only sheds light on the operational failures of Cleopatra but also poignantly portrays their lasting effects on those involved, particularly his uncle Joe. This episode serves as both a cautionary tale and a tribute to the complexities of filmmaking and familial legacies.