 When cost overruns on _Cleopatra (1963)_ (qv) threatened to force  20th Century Fox to shut down production of this film,  Darryl F. Zanuck (qv) flew to New York to save his project. After  an impassioned speech to Foxs board, Zanuck regained control of the  company he founded, ultimately finishing this picture and getting  the production of "Cleopatra" under control.