 Robert Mitchum (qv) was originally cast as Capt. Wilder. He was  fired from the film after an altercation in which he shoved the  films transportation manager into San Francisco Bay.  Gregory Peck (qv) subsequently turned down the role of Capt.  Wilder, and Humphrey Bogart (qv) wanted a $500,000 salary, which  would have put the film over budget. Without a major male star  involved, Warner Bros. contacted producer John Wayne (I) (qv),  threatening to pull out of their distribution deal for the film  unless he took the role himself. To keep his new production company,  Batjac, afloat, Wayne agreed to play Capt. Wilder.