 By the time they were cast, a script was not written yet, although it was reported that Alan Jay Lerner was expected to start on the script a week later.Furthermore, Alec Guinness was also set for a role and David Wayne, Moira Shearer and Donald O'Connor were under consideration for one.According to the film's director, Vincente Minnelli, O'Connor competed with Steve Allen and Bill Hayes for the role of 'Jeff'.