Despite his made-to-order background as a real-life circus acrobat, Burt Lancaster declined the role of The Great Sebastian, a fact Cecil B. DeMille doubly regretted when he learned that Cornel Wilde was afraid of heights. Wilde was game, however, and ended up performing many of his own stunts on the flying trapeze.
Cecil B. DeMille was always demanding of his actors and actresses. He insisted that everyone truly learn to perform the circus stunts they were supposed to be performing. This meant that Betty Hutton really learned the trapeze and Gloria Grahame had to let an elephant rest its foot an inch from her face. Cornel Wilde probably had it the worst, since he was portraying a trapeze artist. He was seriously afraid of heights.
During one scene Sebastian (Cornel Wilde) is hanging from the trapeze by his knees. He catches Holly (Betty Hutton) then pulls her up and kisses her. During one of the early takes, Wilde tore the ligaments in his shoulder. He managed to make it through two more takes, then had to stop. He was unable to use his arm for several days so Cecil B. DeMille shot scenes where he was not needed.
Cecil B. DeMille cast Dorothy Lamour against type as the vulgar, none-too-bright Phyllis. Renowned to that point for her portrayals of sultry, serious exotics, this film was the first to display her comic skills, which she approached with gusto.
In addition to mastering the tricks of their respective circus trades, the stars of the film had to athleticize their bodies to resemble the professionally toned circus performers who doubled for them. This was especially true for Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde.
Bing Crosby, Bob Hope: Two circus spectators during the musical song "Lovely Luawana Lady" (sung by Dorothy Lamour, portraying Phyllis). Hope, Crosby, and Lamour famously co-starred in the A Sereia das Ilhas (1940), A Sedução de Marrocos (1942), Dois Malandros e uma Garota (1945) and several other "Road" pictures.
Merrill Reese: Circus spectator. Best known as the radio broadcaster for the Philadelphia Eagles after 1977, Reese was an unknown nine-year-old who happened to be at one of the filmed performances.