To make Theodora appear more bohemian, beatnik, garments designed by Mary Quant from a recent collection were used to dress Claire Bloom.
Director Robert Wise read a review of Shirley Jackson's novel "The Haunting of Hill House" in Time Magazine and decided to get the rights to the novel. He later met the writer herself to talk about ideas for the film. He asked her if she had thought of other titles for the novel, because the title would not work for the film. She told him that the only other title she had considered was simply "The Haunting," so Wise decided to use it for the film.
Robert Wise shot the film in black and white because he loved the depth and rich atmospheric quality of black and white for this genre of film and felt it would be perfect to enhance the moody psychological quality of the story. In addition, the studio contract specified the film must be shot in black and white.
Every member of the cast enjoyed working with Robert Wise, who had a long-standing reputation as a strong director with great instincts and no ego. Julie Harris remembered him as a "calm gentleman" who never got ruffled by anything, and Claire Bloom found working with him "marvellous."
Most of the film was shot through lenses that add a curvature to the walls, making the house seem even more strange.