The screenplay was based on an original story that Rosalind Russell had written for herself in the 40s. Her schedule was busy and by the time it was developed by Universal into a film in 1956, she was too old for the role. In addition, she had played a sexually frustrated, matronly teacher the previous year in "Picnic".
Although the credits call John Saxon a 'new personality," he had made three prior film appearances including a billed role in "Running Wild" in 1955.