Janet Leigh said on TCM that Van Johnson was responsible for her stage name. He suggested she shorten her first name to Janet, and he thought that since the film they were doing was a civil war drama, Lee would go well. But then he suggested she spell it Leigh. She was concerned there might be confusion with Vivian Leigh, but then Johnson reminded her of Van Heflin. He said "There's two Van's and it hasn't hurt either of us."
Norma Shearer met Janet Leigh for the first time during production of this film. Shearer was responsible for Leigh's blossoming career because she discovered Leigh from a photograph at a ski lodge. Because of her advice and support, Leigh called Shearer her very own fairy godmother.
Janet Leigh, who had never acted, danced or sang professionally, was signed for this role within three weeks of arriving in Hollywood.
According to contemporary articles in The Hollywood Reporter, King Vidor was the original choice for director, and that James Stewart then Gregory Peck were considered for the male lead.