 Bette Davis (qv) saw "The Man Who Came to Dinner" on Broadway and  immediately wanted to play the role of Maggie, the antithesis of her  usual roles. She wanted the role desperately because she wanted to  act opposite John Barrymore (I) (qv) who was to play Sheridan  Whiteside. At her insistence, Warner Bros. tested Barrymore for the  role but his failing health and inability to remember his lines cost  him the job.