The film was a follow-up to
Down Argentine Way and
That Night in Rio. The working titles of the film were
Caribbean Cruise and
Honeymoon in Havana. In early March 1941,
Betty Grable was scheduled to play Nan Spencer, and executive producer
Darryl F. Zanuck suggested that
Henry Fonda play Jay Williams. The March 17, 1941
The Hollywood Reporter also noted that Grable and Fonda were set for the lead roles, while the May 2, 1941
The Hollywood Reporter stated that
Don Ameche would have a lead role. The same publication reported in late 1940 that Jack Andrews and
George Seaton were to work on the film's screenplay. Although the extent of Seaton's contribution to the completed picture has not been confirmed, the Twentieth Century-Fox Records of the Legal Department, indicate that Andrews' material was not used. The legal records also indicate that an original story outline entitled
Caribbean Cruise, written by
Frank S. Nugent, was not used. The story files and
The Hollywood Reporter articles reveal that first
Harry Joe Brown and then
Fred Kohlmar were set to produce the picture. When Kohlmar left to work at
Paramount,
William LeBaron assumed production responsibilities. This was the first film produced by LeBaron for Twentieth Century-Fox.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that the studio had tested
Phillip Reed for a role and were considering casting him in the picture, and that
Mal St. Clair had been signed to direct the musical sequences. Their participation in the released picture has not been confirmed, however. According to studio records and
The Hollywood Reporter, "long shots with doubles, atmospheric shots and process plates" were filmed on location in
Havana and the Cuban countryside. Second unit director James Havens and his crew were on location for approximately one month. The September 26, 1941,
The Hollywood Reporter reported that
Alice Faye was going to retire from the screen temporarily while awaiting the birth of her first child. Faye returned from retirement for
Hello Frisco, Hello (1943). According to information in the
Motion Picture Production Code, the PCA rejected a May 14, 1941, version of the script because of "the inference of an illicit sex relationship" between Rosita and Monte, and Jay and Nan, and the indication that Rosita wished to enter into such a relationship with Jay. The PCA especially objected to the use of the words "manage" and "manager" in respect to the relationships between Rosita, Monte and Jay. In June 1941, the PCA informed the studio: "We still get the impression that the word 'manage' is so used, or over-used, that one gets the feeling that it is intended to mean something which is sex suggestive." The problems were eventually resolved and the script approved. == Reception ==