Ever the perfectionist that he was, Fred Astaire spent a grueling 5 weeks rehearsing his dance routines for the "Puttin' On the Ritz" number's challenging and most irregular rhythmic tempo.
Filming began with Paul Draper as Jed Potter. Draper was fired over either his impatience with Joan Caulfield, who was not a professional dancer, or his stutter. He was replaced by Fred Astaire.