FLOP No. 5 – Cleopatra’s World Premiere (1963)
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The Promise: A global premiere for the most expensive movie ever made at the time, Cleopatra was meant to be the cultural event of the year—excess, royalty, press, and prestige.
What Happened: The premiere was delayed due to the movie’s chaotic postproduction. The film itself was overlong, and its stars’ off-screen affair created controversy. Audiences left halfway through. Critics were scathing. The budget ballooned so far over projections that it nearly bankrupted 20th Century Fox.
What Failed: Hype couldn’t mask confusion. Public relations collapsed into scandal. And the movie couldn’t support its own mythology.
What We Learned: If you take over the palace, you need to finish the carpet.
What an Event Pro Would’ve Advised: Build margin in timelines. Don’t start the show until the show’s finished. Separate scandal from rollout.
