RKO ceased functioning as a financier of films, however, and the project transferred over to producer Ross Hunter at Universal-International, who had enjoyed a big hit with Written on the Wind (1956). Allyson was attached as star, but the director was Helmut Kautner, who had just made The Restless Years (1958) for Universal. Jeff Chandler was given the male lead.Schallert, Edwin. "British Want Howard Keel: Million-Five Deal Heralded for Granger for Six Pictures." Los Angeles Times, November 5, 1957, p. C9.
