 The original idea was to reunite Fred Astaire (qv) and  Bing Crosby (qv), as they had been successful in  _Holiday Inn (1942)_ (qv). Astaire refused, as he had "retired" at  the time, so the part was reworked for Donald OConnor (qv).  OConnor pulled out, and the part was reworked for  Danny Kaye (qv).