Parts of this movie were filmed at the University of Nevada - Reno. Jeanne Crain would return there two years later for the filming of Apartment for Peggy (1948).
The film marked the screen debut of Alan Young as "Roy Hornsdale." He later appeared as "Wilbur Post" on the 1960s television series Mister Ed (1961).
The male lead was initially offered to Cornel Wilde, but he refused it and was put on suspension by the studio. Next, Richard Jaeckel was announced as the male lead, but he was eventually replaced by Glenn Langan.
The film was shot in Reno, Nevada. The exteriors of "Central High" are actually the University of Nevada, Reno. Henry King was rumored to have dismissed the University of Nevada students who doubled as Central High School extras in the film, because he felt they looked too old compared to Crain. In some shots, the snow-covered Sierras can be seen. This film is considered an excellent example of the Technicolor film process.
The unlikely chemistry between Jeanne Crain and Alan Young resulted in their being re-teamed a decade later in Gentlemen Marry Brunettes (1955).