Trivia

Indirectly led to the creation of the famed East West Players. Many of the Asian actors, including a young James Hong, were incensed after the only roles they were offered were "opium dope people and the prostitutes and so forth." After a petition to producer Albert Zugsmith fell on deaf ears, Hong co-founded the East West Players to give Asian-American actors more meaningful, non-stereotypical roles.

Loosely-based on Thomas de Quincey's 1822 autobiographical novel "Confessions of an English Opium-Eater."

The title was listed in the 6 Jan 1960 Var as an upcoming project for Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Later that year, the 16 Aug 1960 DV reported that producer-director Albert Zugsmith was leaving for Hawaii on 19 Aug 1960 "to cast Chinese, Eurasian and Hawaiian types." Principal photography was scheduled to begin 20 Oct 1960, according to 23 Sep 1960 DV production charts. On 9 Nov 1960, DV revealed that filming was postponed until 28 Nov 1960, and again until 12 Dec 1960. While the production remained in limbo, the 26 Jan 1961 DV reported that Zugsmith met with the "Los Angeles Committee Against Defamation of the Chinese" (LACADC), which objected to the negative portrayal of its people in the 1821 source novel by Thomas De Quincey. Zugsmith explained that he agreed to the meeting at the insistence of someone "very friendly" to the motion picture industry, and was sworn to secrecy concerning the details. The next day, the 27 Jan 1961 DV revealed that a protest was also lodged by the California Federation of Women's Clubs (CFWC), which joined with the LACADC in its opposition to the picture. After listening to their suggestions, Zugsmith reportedly convinced both groups that the screenplay would not be degrading to the Chinese. However, the filmmaker generally dismissed their concerns as they had "erroneous impressions" of his adaptation. The eight members of the LACADC were represented by attorney Fred K. Wong, while Zugsmith was accompanied by screenwriter Robert Hill, associate producer Eugene Lourie, and attorney Edward Rubin. The 3 Mar 1961 DV reported that Zugsmith was delaying production until Oct 1961, as star Vincent Price would not be available until that time. Principal photography began 2 Oct 1961, as stated in 27 Oct 1961 DV production charts. The 11 Oct 1961 Var noted that Zugsmith issued a custom letterhead for the project, described as "a bamboo curtain-Chinese junk-bosomy Chinawoman motif," none of which was relevant to the source novel. Also mentioned was the casting of four unidentified stuntmen as Mongol villains, and "three expert hatchet wielders and throwers." The following day, the 12 Oct 1961 DV announced that dancer Rae Corey was leaving the production, due to a knee injury suffered several days earlier. Her replacement was Keiko Nishimura, credited onscreen as Keiko. A news item in the 25 Oct 1961 Var noted that Zugsmith insured a gem used in the film for $1 million. Casting announcements included Pat Dean Smith, Donna Jean Okubo, Lang Yun, Vera Foo, Robin Jewell, and Elizabeth Thompson (2 Oct 1961 DV); the vaudeville team of Ching Tong and Memi Sing (4 Oct 1961 Var); singer Arthur Wong (4 Oct 1961 DV); Stewart Baskin, Charles Horvath, Stewart Taylor, and Duke Fishman (5 Oct 1961 DV); Angelo Rossitto and Jack Carr (14 Oct 1961 LAT); Yoneo Iguchi, Hayward Soo Hoo, and George Sasaki (31 Oct 1961 DV). The 18 Oct 1961 LAT noted that dancer Geri Hoo was a former Miss Hawaii. The 19 Jan 1962 DV reported that composer Albert Glasser would begin recording his score on 15 Feb 1962. The picture was due for release in Jul 1962, according to the 13 Mar 1962 DV. On 9 May 1962, Var stated that the National Legion of Decency gave the film a "B" rating ("morally objectionable in part for all"). The organization based its rating on the film's "atmosphere of suggestiveness and sadism." A box office report in the 5 Dec 1962 DV showed the picture earning a modest $4,200 on a double bill with the British release, Payroll (1962). Copyright material credits Seton I. Miller as co-screenplay writer, Ed Curtiss as film editor, and Eugene Lourie as associate producer/production designer; Miller and Curtiss do not receive screen credit; Lourie is credited on screen as art director. (AFI Catalog)

June Kyoto Lu's debut.