One of the last CinemaScope movies released in the wider aspect ratio of 2.55:1. Beginning later that year, the aspect ratio of CinemaScope movies was changed to 2.35:1, because of the optional mono soundtrack now printed on the film, in addition to the four stereo ones. This mono soundtrack was added to most movies recorded in stereo because not all theaters were willing to convert their sound systems.
Both films are based on the 1930 play "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" by Rudolph Besier. The screenplay for the film The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957) is credited to John Dighton, but Sidney Franklin used exactly the same script for the second movie as he did for the first, The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934).
M-G-M originally considered Grace Kelly for the lead role, but she was on suspension at M-G-M and was replaced by Jennifer Jones.
For Jones, playing the role of Barrett on film was the realization of a long-standing dream from her days as a drama student, when she had persuaded husband-to-be Robert Walker to play Robert Browning to her Elizabeth in a scene from Rudolph Besier's play for their audition for readmission to a dramatic academy (Her idea worked, and both were invited back).
For Jones, playing the role of Barrett on film was the realization of a long-standing dream from her days as a drama student, when she had persuaded husband-to-be Robert Walker to play Robert Browning to her Elizabeth in a scene from Rudolph Besier's play for their audition for readmission to a dramatic academy (Her idea worked, and both were invited back).
Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna got married in September 1957, after the January 1957 release of The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957). Travers had played the role of poet Robert Browning, Jones' love interest, and McKenna had been Henrietta, Jones' younger sister.
Edward Barrett omitted Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Henrietta and Alfred from his will as they had married against his wishes. Charles John, the eldest living male issue, received the Jamaican properties and family portraits. The other five living children - Arabel, George, Henry, Septimus and Octavius - received equal shares of the English estate, which came to a total of £63,695 12shillings 1¼pence. Charles John, not concurring with his father, chose to give £5,000 to each of his disinherited sisters from his own inheritance. Alfred was given a like sum from the English estate. For reference, the average wage for a cook/valet/coachman in 1830 England was £50 to £80 per year.