Jack Warner optioned the film rights to both The Pajama Game (1957) and Damn Yankees (1958) with the idea of teaming stage director George Abbott and film director Stanley Donen to ensure both a faithful transfer and a cinematic rendition of the original shows. When Warner insisted on one star to bolster the largely unknown stage cast at the box office, Abbott requested Don Murray for the role of Joe Hardy, but Warner insisted on Tab Hunter, who was already under contract. Abbott relented, largely to secure the services of Gwen Verdon and Ray Walston, reprising their stage roles from the Broadway cast. During filming, Abbott repeatedly implored Warner to replace his leading man because he felt Hunter lacked the necessary masculinity to adequately portray the young athlete.

Film

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