The machine producing the bubbles for the finale was responsible for one of the greatest filming fiascoes in movie history. On the first day of filming the finale, the gas produced by the bubbles caused
Vincente Minnelli's cameraman to faint on top of a forty foot lift. While Minnelli struggled to stop his cameraman from falling, the bubbles continued to pour from the machine to such an extent that the soundstage was flooded with bubbles, and no one could get close enough to turn the machine off. Eventually, the fire brigade was called to turn stop it. Afterwards, teams of workers used large rackets to keep them under control, but the gas from the bubbles remained a constant hazard, and between each take Minnelli would order the soundstage's doors open so the cast and crew could breathe.
James Melton filmed with a wet handkerchief in his mouth to protect his voice.
Fred Astaire and
Lucille Bremer's dance was removed completely, since in every take of them, the bubbles obscured part of their face.
