In January 1966, a key role went to Tommy Steele, who had achieved success on Broadway in "Half a Sixpence". Lesley Ann Warren, whom Disney had seen in the 1965 CBS television production of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella", made her screen debut in the film. She also met future husband Jon Peters during the film's production. The role of MacMurray's wife went to Greer Garson, who called the film "... a delightful "Life with Father" type picture. I don't have much to do but I love working with Fred MacMurray."