H.B. Warner, who was cast as the drugstore owner Mr. Gower, had studied medicine before going into acting. He was also in some of Capra's other films, including "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town", "Lost Horizon", "You Can't Take It with You", and "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington". In the silent era, he had played the role of Jesus Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's "The King of Kings" (1927). The name Gower came from Capra's employer Columbia Pictures, which had been located on Gower Street for many years. Also on Gower Street was a drugstore that was a favorite for the studio's employees.