Aaron Tracy

Nichols auditioned Robert Redford for the role.

Giving him direction, he said to Redford, you know how it feels when a girl turns you down for a date?

Redford responded, what do you mean?

That's when they turned instead to Dustin Hoffman, who created one of the more iconic performances ever.

Like Redford, Dahl doesn't get rejected.

He's been bouncing between actresses, heiresses, and congresswomen for a decade.

And now he can't even get a date.

What is happening?

Two days later, he shamelessly calls Neil again.

And this third time, she rejects him again and orders him to stop calling her.

But on Dahl's fourth attempt, Neil surprises him by agreeing to go out.

One time.

Has Dahl just worn her down?

Sort of.

But the truth is, Neil has a much bigger reason for finally saying yes.

She's desperate to do anything she can to get over the greatest heartbreak of her life.

As Dahl and Neil start dating, this is the big obstacle in their path.

Neil is still very much in love with someone else.

And annoyingly for Dahl, not just anyone.

The most famous, most handsome, biggest movie star in the world, Gary Cooper.