 Robert Vaughn (I) (qv) received the script in the mail, and loved  it. He wanted to play Roger Devereau, but was dismayed to discover  that Patrick McGoohan (qv) had already accepted the part. He  contacted Arthur Hiller (qv) and discovered that it was sent by  mistake. He was invited to watch the production, and became friends  with star Gene Wilder (qv).