As early as 1922, Fox Film Corporation made Hugh Lofting an offer for the film rights. Decades later, Walt Disney had sought to obtain the rights to make a film adaptation of the novels. The Disney studios wanted Lofting to surrender the ancillary rights in exchange for a flat fee of $7,500, but a suitable contract reached an impasse. In 1960, Lofting's widow Josephine gave a short-term option of the film rights to Helen Winston, a Canadian actress who had produced the film "Hand in Hand" (1960). In April 1962, 20th Century Fox signed a multi-picture production deal with Winston's company, Luster Enterprises, with plans to commence production in the following months. She also stated she had actor George Gobel in mind to portray the eponymous character. By June 1962, she had completed a script with writer Larry Watkin, but the studio decided to cancel the option two months later.