 Ann Sheridan was originally cast as Virginia Brush but became  involved in an acrimonious salary dispute with the studio. Warners  borrowed Rita Hayworth, whose career was foundering at Columbia with  clinkers like "Blondie on a Budge," and "The Strawberry Blonde"  became a big boost to her career. Jack Warner liked her work so much  that he immediately used her again in another 1941 romantic comedy,  "Affectionately Yours."