Joan Crawford specifically asked for Margaret Sullavan to play the role of Judy, despite Louis B. Mayer's warning that the accomplished stage actress could steal the picture from her. Joan replied "I'd rather be a supporting player in a good picture than the star of a bad one."
Joan Crawford improvised several lines which made it into the final film. These were mostly autobiographical, including the line which mirrors Crawford's own life pre-stardom: "I couldn't go to school much. I was too busy doing shirts in the laundry, and when I finally landed that job in the chorus, it was too late for school."
The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 13 February 1934 and closed in May 1934 after 121 performances. It was staged by Raymond Massey, who also starred as David Linden.
According to "Crazy Sundays" by Aaron Latham, producer Mankiewicz thought he could rewrite any writer and after Ogden Nash had done what he thought was a "respectable job" on the script for months, the producer put his pencil to the script and finished his rewrite job in 24 hours by crossing Nash's name off the picture.
A contemporary article in The Hollywood Reported noted MGM originally planned this as a vehicle for Norma Shearer back in 1935.