Oscar nominee, member of the Hellenic Parliament and political activist Maria "Melina" Mercouri starred in the 1960 Greek movie and sang "Pedia Tou Pirea", "Never On Sunday" (Hadjidakis). The film became an international hit and the song won the Academy Award.

The Chordettes recorded "Never On Sunday" the same year, hit the top fifteen and it became one of their last chart successes.