Initially developed as a made-for-television movie, it was subsequently considered too violent and the subject matter too mature for television, so it was released as a theatrical feature.
Pitchers Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax signed to appear in this movie as a tactic in salary negotiations for the 1966 baseball season. Both exercised escape clauses after coming to terms with the Dodgers. Koufax would later say that he was against this idea, but agreed to go along with Drysdale, who planned to be actor when he retired from baseball. The finally signed with the Dodgers for $115,000, a huge amount in those days.
Frank Sanderman, the D.A., tells Tom his father was called a "hunky". That was a racial slur referring to someone from Hungary or Eastern Central Europe.
Ed Begley said he was going to eat at Philippe's when Janssen picked him up. Philippe's is a famous French Dip sandwich restaurant on 1001 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, Ca.