 According to Director Bob Clark, Jack Nicholson (qv) was given the  script and was very much interested in the role of Mr. Parker, "The  Old Man". However, Clark didnt learn of this until later and the  studio didnt want to pay Nicholsons fee anyway, which would have  doubled the budget. Regardless, Clark says that  Darren McGavin (qv) was still the better choice and was born to  play the role.