Walter Wanger consulted with the National Committee for Education of Alcoholism and used their suggestions about continued vigilance in the film. Similarly, director Stuart Heisler consulted with authorities on alcoholism.
Based on the life of entertainer Dixie Lee.
Reportedly suggested by the life and career of Bing Crosby and songstress wife Dixie Lee; when his popularity as an entertainer eclipsed that of Lee, she drifted into extreme alcoholism, just as Susan Hayward's character does in film.
The PCA tried to dissuade Walter Wanger from making the film, because the subject was recently explored in the movie The Lost Weekend and excessive drinking violated the production code. Wanger convinced them that it is permitted for furthering the plot and characterization, and he was given PCA approval.