Ever the meticulous actor, Cliff Robertson prepared a detailed treatment for his character, Christian Horn, and also did extensive research on the 1840s time period in which the episode is set. Robertson concluded that an easterner like Horn would have worn a stovepipe hat, whereas the director, fearing that such a hat would make Horn look comical, wanted him to wear an ahistorical Stetson. The dispute was finally taken to producer Rod Serling who, after hearing both sides, decided to let Robertson wear the stovepipe hat, as seen in the filmed version.
The coordinates of the building that was used as the "Airflite Diner" in this episode are 36°15'30"N 117°59'39"W. The building has been closed and is in disrepair but still standing on US 395 near Grant and Olancha, California. The building was for sale as late as 2015.
The Sherriff's patrol car is the 1961 Ford Galaxy used as the Mayberry Sherriff's Department patrol car in season two of "The Andy Griffith Show (1960)."
This episode aired April 7, 1961, five months before the events taking place in the calendar month posted in the diner, September 1961.