Finally, a buzzer summons Mildred to talk to Inspector Peterson (Moroni Olsen): "He wants you now." Peterson begins half-embarrassed and apologetic, explaining to an unprepared, perplexed Mildred:Peterson: We don""t need you.Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, and the rescue of Catherine Martin (daughter of a former US Senator from Tennessee).Screenwriter Harry Behn based his script on a story by author Laurence Stallings, who based his writing on his own gritty wartime experiences as a Marine serving in N." It received zero nominations during the Emmys that year.) It was the only film based on a TV drama to ever win Best Picture.As a feature film, it was one of the biggest ""sleepers"" in Hollywood history, from the independent production company of Harold Hecht and actor Burt Lancaster (Hecht-Lancaster).