 The films opening dedication, "To the memory of those who made us  laugh: the motley mountebanks, the clowns, the buffoons, in all  times and nations, whose efforts have lightened our burden a little,  this picture is affectionately dedicated." with the added phrase  "...in this cockeyed caravan..." was initially to be spoken by  Joel McCrea (qv) in an epilogue as if it was to be the prologue  for the comedy he intended to make. In the original script the  prologue Preston Sturges (qv) initially wrote was, "This is the  story of a man who wanted to wash an elephant. The elephant darn  near ruined him."