Arthur Freed at MGM originally considered this musical re-make as a vehicle for re-uniting Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney but, by the time it came to pre-production, they were establishing themselves in more "adult" roles and too mature to appear in a Student College setting.

The star was pursued to play "Buck Loner."

Producer Joe Pasternak wanted to cast Mickey Rooney as Joe D. Ross opposite Judy Garland, but it was decided that Gene Kelly was bigger box office.