 Leigh 's last screen appearance in Ship of Fools was both a triumph and emblematic of her illnesses taking root . Producer and director Stanley Kramer who ended up with the film , planned to star Leigh but was initially unaware of the fragile mental and physical health of his star . In later recounting her work , Kramer remembered her courage in taking on the difficult role , " She was ill , and the courage to go ahead , the courage to make the film – was almost unbelievable . " Leigh 's performance was tinged by paranoia and resulted in outbursts that marred her relationship with other actors , although both Simone Signoret and Lee Marvin were sympathetic and understanding . In one unusual instance during the attempted rape scene , Leigh became distraught and hit Marvin so hard with a spiked shoe , that it marked his face . 
