This film was originally called 'Melville Goodwin, U.S.A' and was set to star Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. However, Bogart's persistent cough and difficulty eating became too serious to ignore and he dropped the project.
Under the title "Melville Goodwin, USA", the film was to star Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall - both of whom had already filmed costume and makeup tests - but Bogart's terminal illness forced his withdrawal from the project. He was replaced by 'Kirk Douglas'. Bacall withdrew shortly afterward, opting instead to remain at home with her dying husband, and was replaced by 'Susan Hayward'.