Originally, Tippi Hedren was supposed to play Janet Walker, but Alfred Hitchcock told Ralph Levy she was not available. Shirley Jones was cast instead. Years later, Hedren would appear as Marlon Brando's wife in A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)
Marlon Brando said that he found co-star David Niven so funny, he often broke into uncontrollable laughter during filming, thus ruining many takes. It was so bad he would have to force himself not to look Niven in the eye during filming.