Astaire was thought of for the role of Gaylord Ravenal when MGM thought of making this musical in 1944.

The plan was to cast Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy as the lovers. However, production was postponed and the roles were reassigned to Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel.

Judy Garland was the everyone's original choice for the role of Julie LaVerne, but Judy's health problems resulted in the termination of her Studio Contract.

The gorgeous, gifted Horne badly wanted the role of "Julie LaVerne," a tragic black singer who tries to pass for white.

The plan was to cast Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy as the lovers. However, production was postponed and the roles were reassigned to Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel.