CLEOPATRA l What if?

[tonyw]

Last week, I watched for the first time this cinematic disaster but became interested in the DVD feature that had two Welles associations. Apparently, Keith Baxter was cast as Octavian as footage shows but had to withdraw leaving Roddy McDowell to take over the role. Of the two, Keith had more experience as we later see in CHIMES ATMDNIGHT. Roddy was passable as Malcolm in MACBETH, but Keith would have been far better in the scene when Octavian receives news of Antony's death. At times Roddy threatened to tip over into Jay Robinson (THE ROBE) dimensions that Keith could have avoided.

Come to think of it, could they not have asked Orson to direct it and cast a new discovery - Oja Kodar in the title role?