The scene with Judah Ben Hur and his Roman friend are amazingly funny once you get the “do you like movies about gladiators?” angle.
The actor opposite Charlton Heston was told what the director was going for, Charlie wasn't told and played it “straight”/heterosexual.
Amazing scene, and great direction arrived at the desired effect. Gay Roman hitting on Charlie, Charlie oblivious.
Good thing, or else they'd have to rename the movie, "Ben-Gay."