 The first choice to play Ellie May Chipley in this film was  Eva Puck (qv), who had played that part in Show Boats original  Broadway run opposite her husband Sammy White (qv) as Frank  Schultz. However, by the time this film was made, Puck was divorced  from White, casting White was given precedence over casting Puck,  and Queenie Smith (qv) replaced Puck as Ellie May Chipley.