On one particular day of filming, when it became apparent that Judy Garland was not fit to work, Gene Kelly reputedly feigned an injury of his own so that she would be able to take the day off. Kelly had remained devoted to Garland since she guided him through his paces in the making of his very first film, For Me and My Gal (1942).
By 1950, with On the Town (1949) in release and An American in Paris (1951) in pre-production, Gene Kelly could essentially write his own ticket at MGM. The slender thread of Summer Stock (1950) held no creative appeal to him, but he accepted the assignment out of devotion to Judy Garland, realizing that this was her last chance to save her flailing film career. However, despite its anemic plot, a throwback to Garland's barnyard vehicles with Mickey Rooney, Kelly managed to concoct one of his most fondly remembered routines, the dance with the newspaper and squeaky floor board set to "You Wonderful You."
Despite the obvious difficulties Judy Garland was experiencing during the making of this film, her professionalism shines through as she matches Gene Kelly tap for tap in the challenging "Portland Fancy" dance sequence.
Judy Garland is said to have been at the height of her drug addiction throughout filming, resulting in her weight changes, mood-swings, and unexplained illnesses. It was due to this behavior that MGM fired her after filming completed.
Gene Kelly partners Jeanne Coyne, his dance assistant and future wife, in the "Dig, Dig, Dig For Your Dinner" sequence.