 David Seltzer (I) (qv) first wrote the script in 1979 based on his  experiences frequenting comedy clubs. Howard Zieff (qv) was  attached to direct. When Zieff dropped out, the project was  forgotten. In 1986, Daniel Melnick (qv) found the screenplay in a  Columbia Pictures vault and wanted to revive the project. It was  originally intended to be a small budget film with no stars but the  studio sent the script to Sally Field (qv). When she agreed to  star in and produce the film, the budget was raised and  Tom Hanks (qv) was cast.