Jimmy Durante was actually a last minute addition to the cast. As a result, Terry Moore's billing was dropped from first to second. The script was also modified to allow for Durante-style patter and songs.
Terry Moore's career was so hectic during this period that she claims that she didn't see this film until over 35 years later when Marjorie Durante, Jimmy's widow, ran a private print for her.
The stop-motion animation used in creating the illusion of a dancing squirrel (Rupert) was so realistic that director George Pal received many inquiries as to where he got a squirrel that was trained to dance.
This was reportedly shot in 1948 but not released until 1950. It was later re-released as a holiday film under the title "A Christmas Wish".
This was the first feature length film for producer George Pal.