 Other actors connected to both productions included Michèle Morgan, who had been the original choice for the female lead for "Casablanca"; Victor Francen, Philip Dorn, Corinna Mura, and George Tobias.Although exotic locales were called for, principal photography by cinematographer James Wong Howe actually took place at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California, with additional location shooting in Victorville, California.Before Bogart began work on the film, pre-production had been underway for six months, but as a result of resisting Jack Warner's decision to cast him in "Conflict" (released 1945, but shot in 1943), his starring role as Matrac was in jeopardy, with Jean Gabin being touted as a replacement.