La veuve et le tueur (1957) was the first film produced by Rory Calhoun and Victor M. Orsatti's production company, Calhoun-Orsatti Enterprises, Inc. The film also contained the statement "Rorvic Productions," a combination of the producers' first names.
This film was successful at the box office and made MGM a profit of $169,000 (about $1.87M in 2024) according to studio records.
Voice-over narration provided by actress Anne Francis as the character "Ellen Beldon," opens the film, explaining that she is to be the first woman to be executed by hanging in the state of Texas.
Three of the main character actors would go on to become identified primarily with subsequent 50s and 60s TV roles. Chuck Connors as L'homme à la carabine (1958) (Lucas McCain), Vince Edwards as Dr. Ben Casey (Ben Casey (1961)) and Anne Francis as Honey West (1965).