 Rory Calhoun (I) (qv), who was in Italy for the title role in  MGM’s _Marco Polo (1961)_ (qv), stepped into the lead role of  "Colossus" on only one days notice. He initially arrived at 11:30  on the first day he was to start filming. According to Leone  biographer Christopher Frayling (qv), Calhouns first day included  an accidental fall into a swimming pool.