Elvis Presley tested for the role of Jim Curry. Presley was under a contract with producer Hal B. Wallis.
Bing Crosby wanted the role of Starbuck.
William Holden was originally cast as Bill Starbuck. After Holden backed out, Burt Lancaster read about it in Hedda Hopper 's column and phoned producer Hal B. Wallis. Lancaster agreed to star in Gunfight at the O.K. Corral if he would get the role of Bill Starbuck in this film.
Adapted from a Broadway play that originally starred Geraldine Page and Darren McGavin. "The Rainmaker" by N. Richard Nash opened at the Cort Theatre in New York on Oct. 28, 1954 and ran for 125 performances.
Developed into the stage musical "110 in the Shade" that opened at the Broadhurst Theater in New York on October 24, 1963 and ran for 330 performances.
Director Joseph Anthony also directed the Broadway play.
Loosely based on the real-life story of rainmaker Charles M. Hatfield.
Paramount Studios wanted William Holden for the role of Starbuck.
Produced Hal B. Wallis paid $300,000 of the filming rights. RKO had previously attempted to purchase the rights.
The tornado protector devices that Starbuck is selling in the first scene of the movie are made with copper toilet tank floats, among other things.