Interviewed a few years later, Jason Robards claimed that this was "the worst film ever made."
Charlton Heston turned down the lead.
George Hamilton and Susan Kohner were romantically involved during filming, and as of 2023, are the only major cast members still living.
19th July 1961, TWA began showing in-flight movies on a regular basis. This film kicked-off the program and became the first movie screened in-flight by an airline on a regularly scheduled flight; seen by first class passengers on a Boeing 707 between New York and Los Angeles. The first intercontinental in-flight movie was Come September (1961). But for the very first in-flight movie see The Lost World (1925).
According to contemporary sources, Lana Turner was paid $300,000 and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. $200,000 to appear in this film.