Anecdotes

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. initially wanted the double role for himself and actually tested for it. He was devastated when it was awarded to Ronald Colman. Instead he was offered the part of "Rupert of Hentzau" and, according to David O. Selznick, "Nobody else stood a chance!" His father, Douglas Fairbanks Sr., convinced his son that it was a blessing in disguise, as it was the best part in the piece, and advised him on billing and costume.

Fay Wray screen-tested for the role of Princess Flavia. Color footage of this - apparently Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s home movies - survives in the Motion Picture Academy's archive.

In his first autobiography "Salad Days", Douglas Fairbanks Jr. said that when Raymond Massey told Sir C. Aubrey Smith, who played Colonel Zapt, that he didn't understand his own part of Black Michael, Smith said, "Ray, in my time, I've played every part in Zenda except Princess Flavia, and I've never understood Black Michael either."

Director John Cromwell was not happy with his cast. In memos to David O. Selznick he said that Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and David Niven were "overindulged and lazy." Ronald Colman "never knows his lines. I don't know which one of them annoys me most. Also, both Colman and Carroll insist they have a 'bad side' to be avoided by the camera, but it's the same 'bad side.' Shooting them face-to-face is all but impossible."

Producer David O. Selznick was unsatisfied with the action scenes in the film, particularly the fencing, so he brought in directors W.S. Van Dyke and George Cukor to reshoot them after principal photography was finished.