In 1984 Gregory Peck claimed to have been misquoted in a 1967 interview in which he said Elia Kazan was the wrong director for the film. The actor said, "That's a misunderstanding. I don't think there could have been a better director for the film. What I meant was that he and I didn't have a rapport; emotionally, we were not on the same wave length. I don't think that I did my best work for him. If I worked with him now--as a mature man--I think I would give him everything he would want."
The role of Phillip Green was first offered to Cary Grant, but he turned it down. Grant refused the role because he contended he was Jewish and thought he looked Jewish. He maintained, "The public won't believe my portrayal of a gentile trying to pass himself off as a Jew."
Gregory Peck later said regarding this film, "We felt we were brave pioneers exploring anti-Semitism in the United States. Today, it seems a little dated."
Gregory Peck did not get along with director Elia Kazan. Kazan told the press he was very disappointed with Peck's performance and the two men never worked together again.
Despite winning an Oscar for his direction, Elia Kazan revealed in a later interview that he was never fond of this movie, feeling that it lacked passion on his part and he thought that the romance was too forced.