Ingrid Bergman was originally cast as Beatrix Emery but she persuaded the producers to switch roles with Lana Turner so she could play the barmaid Ivy Peterson.

MGM's first choice for the leading dual roles was the handsome, top ranking star Donat.

Spencer Tracy thought Katharine Hepburn should play both Beatrix and Ivy.

Paramount executive wanted character actor Pichel for the title roles but director Rouben Mamoulian insisted on Fredric March, who wound up winning an Academy Award for his performance.