This movie marked director Edward Dmytryk's return to directing after being blacklisted and serving time in prison for contempt of court, when he refused to name names of his Communist associates to the House Un-American Activities Committee. As "punishment" for his earlier association with Communist groups, Dmytryk was assigned to direct Adolphe Menjou, who had been one of the most fervent supporters of HUAC in Hollywood. Despite their history of political differences, the two got along fairly well during filming.