10. Henri-Georges Clouzot Spiked Brigitte Bardot On The Set Of The Truth
There was no lack of strife on the set of the calamity-ridden Henri-Georges Clouzot's Oscar-nominated domestic drama, The Truth. Actor Philippe Leroy-Beaulieu was fired during shooting (due to an alleged affair with female lead Brigitte Bardot), Clouzot's wife and co-writer Vera had a nervous breakdown, and Clouzot himself suffered a heart attack that temporarily shut production down. However, no one had it quite as bad as lead Brigitte Bardot, who, beyond attempting suicide because of marital problems arising from an affair with co-star Sami Frey, also had a highly demanding director to deal with. To get the performance he wanted, for instance, Clouzot would slap Bardot and get her drunk until she was hysterical enough for certain scenes. In one particular scene, Bardot's character overdosed on sleeping pills, so Clouzot had the actress take some for real, while claiming they were just aspirin. Clouzot got the take, and Bardot had to have her stomach pumped.