Editing Three Smart Girls (section)

==Production==
The film was based on an original story. It was purchased for Universal by Adele Comandini. This film became a vehicle for 13 year old Jeanne Dante, who had been on Broadway in ''[[Call It a Day]]''. The film was produced by Harry John Brown who had recently joined Universal from Warners.<ref>GREEN PASTURES' PLEASES HOLLYWOOD, New York Times, 24 May 1936: X3.</ref>

[[Joe Pasternak]] wanted [[Judy Garland]] for Durbin's role, but Garland's home studio, [[MGM]], wouldn't loan her out for the picture. However, Joe would produce four Garland films when he moved to MGM. Durbin was picked up from MGM after a short film, ''[[Every Sunday]]'' co-starring Garland. MGM dropped Durbin's contract freeing her to do ''Three Smart Girls''.

In July 1936, [[Deanna Durbin]] appeared alongside Dante, with Henry Koster to direct.<ref>NEWS OF THE SCREEN, New York Times, 1 July 1936: 29.</ref> By August Dante had dropped out and the three girls were to be played by Durbin, Nan Grey and Barbara Read. [[Binnie Barnes]] signed to play the vamp.<ref>Binnie Barnes, Back From Reno, Will Enact VamP in "Three Smart Girls", Los Angeles Times, 22 Aug 1936: 7.</ref>

Ray Milland was a last-minute replacement for [[Louis Hayward]], who was originally cast, but fell ill shortly of pleurisy four days into filming. The replacement was made in September.<ref>SUPER STYLE PAGEANT PROMISED IN IRENE DUNNE FEATURE: Sparkle of Alice Faye to Lend Zip to Temple Film
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep 1936: 13.</ref><ref>Around and About in Hollywood
Read, Kendall. Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep 1936: 15.</ref>