Columbia wanted to borrow Marilyn Monroe from 20th Century-Fox to play the role of Debby Marsh, but Fox's asking price was too high. Gloria Grahame was cast instead.
The portrait of Lagana's mother is of Celia Lovsky, actress and ex-wife of Peter Lorre. She is probably best known for her portrayal of T'Pau, the Vulcan Ambassador, in Amok Time (1967).
Based on the "Saturday Evening Post" serial (December 1952 to February 1953) and breakout novel "The Big Heat" (New York, 1953) by former Philadelphia crime reporter William P. McGivern.
As Dave Bannion leaves The Retreat after he first sees Vince Stone face-to-face, the music in the background is "Put the Blame on Mame", a reference to Glenn Ford's performance in Gilda (1946).
Gloria Grahame quotes the line "I've been rich and I've been poor, and believe me rich is better." This line has been attributed to the following characters at one time or another: Joe E. Lewis, Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Pearl Bailey, and Mae West.