 The opening shot after the title credits (and the background red  robe curtain parts) is actually a scene lifted from its sequel,  _Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954)_ (qv). Thats  Jay Robinson (I) (qv) as Caligula presiding over the ceremony  preceding the gladitorial games; William Marshall (I) (qv) as  Glycon in the front row of gladiators, far right;  Victor Mature (qv) as Demetrius standing directly behind him, and  Ernest Borgnine as Strabo who is leading the gladitorial  procession.