 Marlon Brando (qv) originally signed for the role of Joseph Dobbs  (Robert Preston (qv)), but quit the production before principal  photography commenced. According to Bob Thomass "Brando: Portrait  of the Artist as a Rebel", Brando quit the production when he  realized that James Mason (I) (qv) had the better role, and that  his flagging career would soon be revitalized by the  _Godfather, The (1972)_ (qv). Preston, a fine actor, received poor  reviews for his performance from Pauline Kael, among others. Brando  subsequently was sued by producer David Merrick.