First of all, I'm brand-new here, and this is my first post.
And "Ben-Hur" is one of my all-time favorite films. I watch it every chance I get, when it's on TCM.
I do have one question, however, which I've never seen answered anywhere. The pivotal role of Esther in the 1959 version is played by an "unknown" Israeli actress, Haya Harareet. How did she land this very plum role, when there were so many Hollywood actresses who might have otherwise taken it? Was this decision made by director William Wyler, or by the MGM bosses? How was she discovered for this role? Israel was barely ten years old as a country at the time, with a fledgling film industry.
I thought she did a magnificent job as Esther--she was absolutely gorgeous!! I have a double-CD set of the entire Miklos Rosza score, and the enclosed booklet says that Ms. Harareet and Charlton Heston had great chemistry, both on-screen and on the set. Does anyone know if she is still alive? I understand she was a presenter at the Academy Awards in the 1970s, as a film producer?
Any help you can give will be welcome. Thanks!
