The role of the TV repairman was written with Van Dyke in mind. In fact, in the original script the name of the repair company was "Rob's TV Repair" after Van Dyke's character in 'the Dick Van Dyke Show,' Rob Petrie.
The actor was mentioned as a possible co-star with Julie Andrews in a big film musical based on the Broadway show and on the Ernst Lubitsch movie called "The Shop Around the Corner." The financial failure of Andrews' "Star" helped torpedo the movie.
Was pursued to play the ladies' man, suave, conceited pianist.
Did you know that Dick Van Dyke was not the only choice for this movie?
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