Gene Kelly's film debut. It is known that Judy Garland got him the job after seeing him in the Broadway musical "Pal Joey". Kelly made films in a variety of genres over the next few years but became best known for his energetic dancing style in MGM hits such as Escale à Hollywood (1945), Un jour à New-York (1949), and Un Américain à Paris (1951). Kelly, who was a choreographer and director as well as a dancer and singer, received a special Academy Award in 1951 in recognition of his outstanding achievement as an actor, dancer, singer and director. He also received a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 1985. The song "For Me and My Gal" became one of Kelly's signature songs.
Judy Garland helped Gene Kelly get cast in this film when MGM didn't want him. He repaid her the favor with the movie La jolie fermière (1950). Garland was at the end of her contract with MGM, and Kelly insisted she be in the film with him.
This was the first film in which Judy Garland had her name billed before the title, which showed her growing importance and stature at MGM.
When it was decided that the costume worn by Mártha Eggerth while she performed "Do I Love You?" revealed too much cleavage, all closeups of her during the number were blurred at the bodice.
This is the first of two movies in which a character (Judy Garland, in this case) says to Judy Garland, "Why didn't you tell me I was in love with you?" The second is Parade de printemps (1948), starring Fred Astaire in a role that was originally meant for... Gene Kelly.