 Margaret OBriens mother wanted more money for her to play "Tootie"  in the film. The studio then cast the young daughter of lighting man  working on the film, going so far as to even fit her with costumes.  They then changed their minds and decided to go ahead and cast  Margaret OBrien. She was playing a scene when that lighting man  intentionally dropped a heavy spotlight to the sound stage, narrowly  missing the young actress. He was taken away and actually admitted  to a mental institution for a time for his deed.