Writer and director Sir David Lean and cinematographer Ronald Neame decided not to use double exposure to create Elvira's ghostly appearances. Instead, Lean created an enormous set that allowed Kay Hammond to move freely in each shot. Hammond wore fluorescent green clothes, make-up, and a wig, with bright red lipstick and fingernail polish. Each time she moved, a special light would be directed on her, allowing her figure to glow even in dimly-lit scenes and giving her an otherworldly appearance.
As with most of Sir Noël Coward's work, this movie is renowned for its dialogue. During an argument with Ruth (Constance Cummings), Charles (Sir Rex Harrison) declares, "If you're trying to compile an inventory of my sex life, I feel it only fair to warn you that you've omitted several episodes. I shall consult my diary and give you a complete list after lunch." The line, considered extremely risqué by censors, was deleted from the U.S. release.
Sir Noël Coward had turned down offers from Hollywood to sell the movie rights to his play, stating that previous American versions of his plays had been "vulgarized, distorted, and ruined". The rights instead were sold to Cineguild, one of the independent companies supported by the J. Arthur Rank Organisation.
Dame Margaret Rutherford and Kay Hammond played Madame Arcati and Elvira, respectively, in the original West End production. Jacqueline Clarke played Edith in the original Broadway production.
Denham Mount, the house used for exterior shots of the Condomine house, was for sale in 2019 at £6.5 million.