Buddy Ebsen was hired to play this character but had to quit after he developed an allergy to aluminum dust
But nine days into shooting the film, Ebsen complained of shortness ... it 
turned out he was having an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust... [DOC] [TLE] 10 movies that nearly (or actually) killed their stars | LAZER 103.3 [PAR] The film's narrative has the character rise from the dead to avenge his death, ... 
After six hours of surgery, he died.