How did Seberg, who had no background in musicals, wind up being the star of this movie?
Years earlier, Seberg auditioned for Josh Logan for the lead role in the Broadway play “There Was a Little Girl,” but the part went to Jane Fonda (who happened to be Logan’s Goddaughter). Logan wrote a wonderful letter to Seberg, praising her abilities and the hopes to work with her in the future. When it came time to cast the lead female role in “Paint Your Wagon,” most every major actress wanted it, as the film was going to be a big production. Seberg agreed to a screen test for “Wagon” director Josh Logan and Paramount, and, coupled with her standing and box office appeal in Europe, she was offered the role. As far as her lack of musical experience, co-stars Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood weren’t the best singers, and Seberg’s singing was dubbed with another voice, mainly due to the Hollywood thinking at the time. But “Wagon” was meant to be a musical with “real” voices, not seasoned professionals (save for Harve Presnell, who was). By 1970, Seberg’s popularity was strong enough for
