King, the border collie who plays Lance, was a Western champion sheepdog.
The $1,600,000 ($13,350,000 in 2016) budget of the film was financed by producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr. through a personal loan of $1,200,000 from the Bank of America, co-signed by his father, Samuel Goldwyn, and the rest from himself.
David Ladd gets an introducing credit during the opening credits but he had previously appeared with Alan Ladd in the 1957 Warner Brothers film "The Big Land."
Adolphe Menjou was originally cast in the film but was replaced after he tore ligaments in his leg and groin.
Production was halted temporarily after director Michael Curtiz had an emergency appendectomy.