[9] In December 1945 J Arthur Rank of Britain announced he had signed a deal with Universal which would involve exchange of talent.

[10] In July 1946 Universal announced they would make the film that year, with Calvert to star and Robert Siodmak to direct.

[11] Calvert had been reluctant to make the movie but admired The Spiral Staircase and agreed to take the role after Siodmak became attached.

[13][12] Siodmak called it "a preposterous film... the story was absurd (who can sympathise with a main character who doesn't believe steam will ever supplant the sailing ship?)".

His agent used this to negotiate "a mad contract whereby they trebled my salary for two years and gave me the right to veto the finished film's release if I didn't like it.

[13] Siodmak said he and cinematographer Maury Gertsman "had a great time loading the film with every crazy effect we could think of.

"[14] Siodmak later said he did not have to use his veto "as they played the film for just one day in a tiny Park Avenue cinema then it disappeared forever.