Under the working title "Big Daddy", this film was originally planned as a vehicle for Gary Cooper. When Cooper's terminal illness prevented his appearing, Bing Crosby was brought in and the script revised to suit his talents.
During the Freshman bonfire sequence, the shadow of the camera and camera car can clearly be seen at the bottom right of the frame tracking a runner as he finishes a set of hurdles.
As the "Freshman Bonfire" truck passes by the camera, the shadow of the camera rig can be clearly seen on the side of the truck and on the "Freshman Bonfire" sign.
Harvey Howard: I was trying to prove that age isn't a matter of years, but of zest. Isn't every waking day a lifetime, and aren't we reborn every morning?