 Elisabeth Bergner (qv) was originally cast in the role of Anna.  Initially the Hutterites were only too happy to assist with the  filming until one day Bergner was spotted by a Hutterine woman  smoking and painting her nails, which so incensed the woman that she  slapped Bergner full in the face. Filming was halted until  Michael Powell (I) (qv) pleaded with the community to let them  continue. Bergner was eventually replaced by the much younger  Glynis Johns (qv) (although Bergner can be seen in some long  shots). It also transpired that the main reason Bergner had joined  the film was to get to America