 In July 1956, Horne successfully auditioned for a small role in "The Strange One" (1957), whose cast was composed entirely of Actors' Studio alumni.The film was not a huge hit but was widely acclaimed; it marked the film debut of Ben Gazzara and George Peppard.The film was produced by Sam Spiegel who then cast Horne in a role in "The Bridge on the River Kwai" in January 1957.