In an article in the 9/15/1997 edition of "Variety", director George A. Romero noted this film was the inspiration for Night of the Living Dead (1968).
Its original theatrical release in 1962 was a box-office failure. Subsequent airings on late-night television helped it gain a strong cult following. It's now regarded as a landmark in psychological horror.
The damage to the bridge in the opening scene of the film cost Herk Harvey $12. The town of Lecompton, KS, only required the railing of the bridge to be replaced to grant permission to film there.