Actress Claudette Colbert was originally cast as Mary, the wife of Grant Matthews; disagreements with Capra led Colbert to abandon the picture. Hepburn was chosen as her replacement only days before filming began. She had been helping Tracy with the script, and so was already familiar with the part. There was tension between Adolphe Menjou and Hepburn during the filming, as he was a member of the politically conservative group Motion Picture Alliance for the Preservation of American Ideals and she had allied herself with the rival Committee for the First Amendment. During filming, Menjou testified as a friendly witness before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee. Many sources reported that on set, Hepburn was “cordial” to Menjou when they had scenes together but otherwise would not acknowledge him.