Ray Danton was originally cast in the role of Mike, but was let go after only two days of filming because he came down with laryngitis. However, according to gossip columns of the time that wasn't the real reason: "The laryngitis was announced as the reason for Ray Danton's bow-out as Jane Russell's leading man in The Fuzzy Pink Nightgown turned out to be the fuzziest announcement of the year. The real reason Ray's out of the cast: After looking at the rushes, Producer Bob Waterfield [Jane's husband] decided he was too young for Jane. Ralph Meeker is now playing the role." Fact of the matter was, Jane was 10 years older than Danton and Meeker was 6 months older than Jane.
Many gossip columns reported that Dean Martin was to be cast in the role of Mike, however for some reason, the role went to Ray Danton, then finally to Ralph Meeker.
This film bombed at the box office and marked the end of Russ-Field Productions, formed in 1954 and owned by Jane Russell and her husband Bob Waterfield. Soon afterwards Russell announced her retirement from films and just 3 years later, beginning Sunday 13 November 1960, home television viewers were given the opportunity to view it locally, free of charge, on such sponsored programs as World's Best Movies and such, where it soon became a popular favorite and from which it eventually recouped its losses.
In 1957, United Artists distributed this film in some locations on a double bill with Outlaw's Son starring Dane Clark on the lower half of the bill.
Jane wrote in her 1985 autobiography, "My Path and My Detours" that she had wanted a "Broadway actor" for her leading man. She had seen Ralph Meeker's critically acclaimed performance as Hal Carter in "Picnic" and was greatly impressed and cast him in the role of Mike.