Parts of the film were rewritten after actor Robert Walker (John Jefferson) died during production. Several scenes use a double shot from behind, and others recycle footage of Walker from Strangers on a Train (1951). The final scene, where a recording of John delivers an anti-communist speech, is lit with a halo around the tape-recorder.
Features three Academy Award winners: Helen Hayes, Dean Jagger, and Van Heflin; and one Academy Award nominee, Richard Jaeckel, in its cast. In addition, Academy Award winning director Leo McCarey does some voice work in place of the late Robert Walker, who passed away during filming.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60-minute radio adaptation of the movie on October 27, 1952 with Dean Jagger reprising his film role.
Despite saying he believes in the Bible, Dan Jefferson (Dean Jagger) makes a couple of errors in referring to it. It is a big fish, not a whale that swallowed Jonah, and 'Honor thy father and mother' is the fifth commandment, not the fourth, as he says. [However, the Catholic bible lists it as the fourth commandment.]