Question: What movie featured Hollywood’s first million-dollar female starring role?
Show answer
The 1963 movie Cleopatra, featuring Elizabeth Taylor.
The film industry has witnessed a plethora of milestones and breakthroughs throughout its history. One of the pivotal moments came in the realm of actors’ salaries, especially for women who have historically been paid less than their male counterparts. A groundbreaking moment in Hollywood history occurred when actress Elizabeth Taylor was offered the first million-dollar contract for a female lead role in the epic film, “Cleopatra,” released in 1963.
“Cleopatra” is a grand historical drama that chronicles the life of the legendary Egyptian queen, her romantic entanglements with the Roman leaders Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, and the political turbulence of the time. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, the film was notorious not just for its leading lady’s salary, but also for its production challenges, delays, and soaring budget, making it one of the most expensive films ever made at the time.
Elizabeth Taylor’s casting in the title role was a significant event. Known for her striking beauty and impressive acting prowess, Taylor was already a well-established star by the early 1960s. However, the million-dollar paycheck she received for “Cleopatra” was unprecedented for a female actress. This salary decision was not just a reflection of Taylor’s undeniable star power, but it was also a strategic move by the studio, Twentieth Century-Fox, banking on her name and fame to ensure the film’s success.
The production of “Cleopatra” was fraught with complications, from set relocations to Taylor’s severe illness, which halted filming for months. Additionally, the film set the stage for one of Hollywood’s most talked-about romances: the affair between Elizabeth Taylor and her co-star, Richard Burton, who played Mark Antony.
While “Cleopatra” faced criticism for its length and narrative choices, it can’t be denied that the film remains an iconic piece of cinema history. The significance of Elizabeth Taylor’s million-dollar paycheck cannot be understated either. It marked a pivotal moment in the fight for pay equity in Hollywood, setting a precedent for future actresses and proving that female leads could command salaries comparable to their male counterparts.
