Cary Grant expressed concerns that, at age 53, he was too old to convincingly play a U. S. Navy flier. Producer Jerry Wald encouraged him to take the part because his charisma and popularity with the American public far outweighed concerns about his age.
Cary Grant specifically asked that Stanley Donen be hired to direct the film. He had never met or spoken to Donen prior to their collaboration on this film, but he had been extremely impressed by Donen's work on films such as Royal Wedding (1951), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Grant expressed that Donen's light and comedic touch on those films fit the tone of the screenplay for Kiss Them for Me (1957).
Director Stanley Donen had no say in casting decisions and did not like the script for the film. He reportedly agreed to stay attached to the film because "you don't turn down Cary Grant."
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