 Margaret Sullavan (qv), who owed Universal one picture on an old  contract, was originally assigned the starring role. With more  attractive roles being floated her way, she balked at appearing in  the film, feeling it was beneath her. When she failed to appear for  the rehearsals, the studio slapped her with a restraining order  preventing her from working anywhere. Eventually she agreed to  fulfill her contract by appearing in _Back Street (1941)_ (qv) and  Virginia Bruce (qv) stepped into the role.