Stanley Kubrick is best known for exploring the dark side of human nature in his films, focusing on war, crime and betrayal. Although he directed a few films first, Killer's Kiss in 1955 and The Killing in 1956 made Hollywood take note of Kubrick. Paths of Glory (1957) guaranteed him success. In addition to Spartacus, his later famous works included Lolita (1962), A Clockwork Orange (1971), The Shining (1980), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Every film Kubrick has worked on has become an immediate success.

Kirk Douglas owes the beginning of his career to his former classmate, Lauren Bacall. While he was still trying to get minor gigs on Broadway, she convinced producer Hal B. Wallis to test Douglas for the lead in her film, and he won the lead role in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers (1946). He then appeared in the 1948 film I Walk Alone with Burt Lancaster, and the...