Aged 24, John Guillermin had already produced for Adelphi Studios when he saw stagehands about to dismantle an elaborate mansion set containing two floors linked by staircases. He offered to write a screenplay in three weeks, and get it shot in three weeks, if he were able to use this set. Filming actually took six weeks, but established him as a rising director.
According to press reports, a Somerset man named Stanley Williams watched the film, returned home and hanged himself, dressed in a woman's 'old-fashioned nightdress'. His father was convinced the movie was to blame and asked the Coroner to write to the BBFC to demand it be banned.