Fred Zinnemann was initially hired to direct the picture. After about a month, he was removed at the request of Garland as there was a lack of chemistry between the two and early footage was disappointing. When Freed asked who Garland wanted to direct the film, she requested Vincente Minnelli who had just directed Garland the previous year in "Meet Me in St. Louis", which was a tremendous success. Moreover, she and Minnelli had become romantically involved during the principal photography of "Meet Me In St. Louis". During production of "The Clock", they rekindled their romance, and were engaged by the end of shooting. Minnelli discarded most of the footage shot by Zinnemann and reshaped the film. He revised some scenes, tightened up the script, and incorporated New York City into the film's setting as a third character. As with "Meet Me in St. Louis", he supervised adjustments to Garland's costumes, make-up, and hair.