The film""s screenplay by Carl Foreman [this was his last Hollywood film before blacklist exile to London, soon after his work onHome of the Brave (1949),Champion (1949), andThe Men (1950)], written during a politically-oppressive atmosphere in the early 1950s when McCarthyism and political persecution were rampant, was loosely adapted from aCollier""s MagazinestoryThe Tin Star(by John W." There was "no formal contract" but only a handshake agreement between Balboa and Tommy, and Duke scared Tommy into believing that he would be "watching the parade go by.Two German couriers carrying important official documents murdered on train from Oran.Murderer and possible accomplices headed for Casablanca.Round up all suspicious characters and search them for stolen document.IMPORTANT.The French police,notthe Germans, have the jurisdiction and authority to investigate the crime that occurred in Unoccupied France, a neutral country.Owen Van Horn two decades earlier in the war filmWar Hunt (1962).With ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Dustin Hoffman, Best Supporting Actress--Teri Garr, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Song ("It Might Be You"), and Best Film Editing, it hadonlyone win, for Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Lange) for her role as Julie, ""Dorothy""s"" girlfriend.In the small town of East Houston, Zod and Ursa (wearing a NASA patch and the deputy""s badge) entered a hole-in-the-wall saloon/restaurant where one red-neck remarked: "The circus is in town.