 It was directed by Jean Negulesco, from a screenplay by Michael Blankfort and Philip Dunne.The filmmakers expanded the title role far beyond her more marginal position in the novel, and slimmed down the narrative while setting it entirely on Haiti.A number of actresses were linked with the role of Bailey, including Micheline Presle, Jean Simmons, Linda Darnell, and Susan Hayward, before it was given to Anne Francis.