B. Reeves Eason's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish a thriving produce business prior to his transition into the lucrative world of stock and vaudeville. However, it was his innovative approach to filmmaking that truly cemented his legacy. Eason is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on the spectacular chariot race sequence in the 1925 version of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, starring Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman.
This iconic scene was meticulously captured using an unprecedented 42 cameras, a testament to Eason's vision and technical expertise. The chariot race was filmed at the intersection of La Cienega and Venice Boulevards in Los Angeles, a location that has since become synonymous with cinematic history.
The 1925 version of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ was not only a visually stunning masterpiece but also a monumental undertaking, boasting a staggering budget of $3.9 million, making it the most expensive silent film ever produced. The sum of$600,000 paid for the rights to adapt Lew Wallace's classic novel in 1921 remains the highest price ever paid for film rights during the silent era.
Eason's impressive repertoire also includes the direction of the "burning of Atlanta" sequence in the 1939 classic Gone with the Wind, a cinematic milestone that has endured for generations.
