 Nonetheless , the script still had numerous problems , and Stewart refused to recognize these shortcomings . In late summer 1942 , Cukor brought in Zoë Akins , one of his favorite playwrights and screenwriters , to help with the script . Victor Saville expressed concern that Stewart was basing more and more of the script on William Randolph Hearst , one of Louis B. Mayer 's best friends , and that this might jeopardize the success of the picture . As script work continued , casting on the film ( which had been delayed months ) went ahead in mid @-@ 1942 . Richard Whorf was cast as the villain , Clive Kerndon , in early June . Frank Craven , Audrey Christie , Donald Meek and Stephen McNally were all cast in mid @-@ July . Pauline Lord was cast in late July , and Darryl Hickman added in early August . Craven , whose character was not initially specified , was given the role of Dr. Fielding in early August . Forrest Tucker and Percy Kilbride were the last members of the cast hired . Phyllis Brooks tested for a part in the film in mid @-@ June , but was not cast . A search was even made for the voice of Robert Forrest . 
