Cary Grant and James Stewart both turned down the role of James Gannon because they knew they were too old for the part.
Although most critics felt that Clark Gable was badly miscast due to his age, his performance was judged good enough for Burt Lancaster to cast him as a dying submarine captain in Run Silent Run Deep.
Last film of Florenz Ames.
Many critics questioned why Erica would have been treating Gannon as a young journalistic prodigy when he is clearly close to retirement age.
The character of Jim Gannon was originally supposed to be a reporter. However, when veteran star Clark Gable was cast it was decided to make him an editor instead.
The movie was deliberately filmed in black & white in an attempt to disguise Clark Gable's age and weight.
The script by Fay Kanin and Michael Kanin was first written as a drama. When they were turned down by every studio they submitted it to, they rewrote it as a comedy. Paramount Studios immediately purchased the property.