star,  but William Randolph Hearst (qv), the financial backer of  Cosmopolitan Productions, refused because he did not like Crosbys  singing style. Composer Arthur Freed (qv), however, convinced  Hearst that Crosby would be good for Davies sagging career. Davies  also requested Fifi DOrsay (qv) be cast as "Lili", and Hearst  agreed despite his wish to cast Lili Damita (qv) in that role.