During early 1966 filming of the third-season episode "Ill Wind", the crew played a prank on David Janssen, during rehearsal with John McIntire and Jeanette Nolan. Janssen, a fan of the Adam West series, Batman (1966), that had premiered in January 1966, was rehearsing with McIntire and Nolan in front of a canvas backing, when the crew lit a miniature light with a Bat stencil placed on. Director Joseph Sargent asked, "What the hell is that for?" To this, an understanding Janssen cracked, "Somebody's trying to tell me I'm a 'Bat' actor."
The title is based on the phrase "It's an ill wind that blows no one good" which dates back to the 16th century in various similar forms.
This particular TV installment featured, John McIntire, wife Jeanette Nolan and their son Tim McIntire, the only incidence in which the three family members appeared together.
Bonnie Beecher worked twice for QM freelance director Joseph Sargent within the space of a year: Ill Wind (1966) and Beachhead (1967), which was the pilot for that science fiction series.
Tim McIntire adds lyrics to the ballad he sings as the story progresses. He does something similar and perhaps more famously with another ballad he co-wrote for the accompaniment to the action in Jeremiah Johnson (1972).