Trivia / The Three Musketeers (1948)

• Cast the Runner-Up:
  • Angela Lansbury was offered the part of the Queen. Feeling she was too young at 23 (apparently unaware that Anne herself was 24 in 1625), she lobbied for Milady instead, but was turned down.
  • Gig Young (Porthos) and Robert Coote (Aramis) felt they should have swapped roles.
• Creator Backlash:
  • June Allyson (Constance) was uncomfortable in a period piece and tried to get out of it.
  • Screenwriter Robert Ardrey was displeased with director George Sidney's irreverent approach to the story and objected to the spoof elements that were added to the film.
• Creator's Favorite Episode: This was Gene Kelly's favorite non-musical role.
• Dawson Casting: D'Artagnan is eighteen at the start of the story. Gene Kelly was 35.
• Dyeing for Your Art: Lana Turner had to lose weight for the film.
• Executive Meddling:
  • Due to pressure from Christian groups, MGM removed all references to Cardinal Richelieu being clergy and referred to only his political office.
  • Constance had to be changed from the landlord's wife to his goddaughter because 1940s standards would not allow D'Artagnan to romance a married woman.
• Role Reprise: Ian Keith had also played Rochefort in the 1935 film.
• Throw It In!: When you see Milady crying, Lana Turner reportedly cried for real.
• Word of God: Although rumours said that Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was in the running for the lead, Gene Kelly was announced as the star.
• What Could Have Been:
  • Lana Turner initially backed out of the film, as she was too exhausted from shooting two others. She was allowed to at first but then got suspended by Louis B Mayer for doing so. Before she agreed to come back on board, Alida Valli was going to replace her.
  • Deborah Kerr was offered the role of Constance, having just enjoyed her Star-Making Role Black Narcissus. She opted make Edward My Son instead, and June Allyson was cast.
  • Robert Taylor, Ricardo Montalbán, and Sydney Greenstreet were originally cast as Athos, Aramis, and Richelieu.

---