Meanwhile, Wise, whose film "The Sand Pebbles" had been postponed, read Lehman's first draft, was impressed by what he read, and agreed to direct the film.
Meanwhile, Wise's original film "The Sand Pebbles" had been postponed due to bad weather on location, and he was now without a picture. Reading Lehman's first draft, the director was impressed by what he read, and agreed to helm the film.