Cyd Charisse completed the bulk of this film (most impressively in two romantic dance duets with Ricardo Montalban), then broke her leg during the filming of the big ceremonial dance, where the corps de ballet is in island native makeup. A double completed her scenes (shot at full length), but the injury kept her out of her next scheduled film, Easter Parade. That role, which would've advanced her to fourth billing, went to Ann Miller, making her MGM debut.
In an interview on TCM, Cyd Charisse stated that she neglected to warm up one day on set due to being late. Jumping from one level to another and on the third level she felt one of her knees completely rip and tear all the ligaments.