 The novel was bought by David O. Selznick (qv) for $50,000 as a  vehicle for Carole Lombard (I) (qv) and that Selznick would  attempt to get Ronald Colman (qv) for the male lead. According to  Selznick memos reproduced in a modern source, when Colman put off  accepting the part because he was afraid that the picture would be a  "woman starring vehicle" and because of the murder angle, Selznick  turned to his second choices for the role, Laurence Olivier (qv)  and William Powell (I) (qv). Olivier was willing to work for  $100,000 less than Powell and so he was chosen.  Leslie Howard (I) (qv) was also considered for the part.