for this movie but I don't remember where I read it. Stewart was considered for Peck's role and of course Kelly was considered for Jones' role. But Kelly decided to become a princess and Stewart lost interest when she wasn't cast. Of course Peck and Jones did do a good job. But I think Stewart and Kelly were first choices.
shareI know I read at one point that Eva Marie Saint was being offered a role- she would have been great as the wife.
shareStewart, Kelly and Saint would have done well. But Peck and Jones did extremely well, so the casting turned out fine.
shareThe only problem I had with casting was Jennifer Jones. I have a personal dislike of her because of how she left her husband, Robert Walker, for what I think was a desire for riches. Selznick was a much older, unattractive man but he was a big shot in the industry so he could make her career and have her living in the lap on luxury.
Generally I don't have such a negative reaction to someone cheating on their spouse. Naturally, I don't condone anyone cheating or breaking their marriage vows but for some reason in the case of Ms. Jones I can't see past it. It may be due to how Walker took it and how it led to his drinking then an early, untimely death. I don't even know if she technically cheated on her husband but does it matter? Watching her in this particular role makes me think of her personal life rather than the character. I have a hard time buying her being upset over her husband's affair.
This is why I don't like knowing too much about actors' personal lives. I find it too distracting when I see them in movies. When I watch a movie I want to see the character not think about the actor and whether or not I find them believable.
Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]