Robert Mitchum was originally cast as Capt. Wilder. He was fired from the film after an altercation in which he shoved the film's transportation manager into San Francisco Bay. Director William A. Wellman complained to John Wayne--whose company, Batjac Productions, was producing the film--that Mitchum "was on dope, always walking about six inches off the ground." Wellman said either he or Mitchum had to go. Gregory Peck subsequently turned down the role because he found it offensive and Humphrey Bogart wanted a $500,000 salary, which would have put the film over budget. Without a major male star involved, Warner Bros. contacted Wayne, threatening to pull out of their distribution deal for the film unless he took the role himself. To keep his new production company afloat, Wayne agreed to replace Mitchum.

Film

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