 The two main cast members, Gary Cooper as Longfellow Deeds and Jean Arthur as Louise "Babe" Bennett/Mary Dawson, were cast as production began.Capra's "first, last and only choice" for the pivotal role of the eccentric Longfellow Deeds was Gary Cooper.Arthur was not the first choice for the role, but Carole Lombard, the original female lead, quit the film just three days before principal photography, in favor of a starring role in "My Man Godfrey".