Roger Corman started this film outside of American International Pictures. Since Vincent Price had been signed to an exclusive contract with AIP, Corman chose Ray Milland for the lead role. American International would acquire the production just as principal photography began.
Roger Corman was having a minor dispute with American International. He decided to do this "Poe" picture elsewhere. He was able to get financing from Pathe Labs (which wanted to go into distribution). When Samuel Z. Arkoff learned of this, he traveled to New York to talk with the owner of Pathe Labs. Arkoff felt that Pathe was stepping into American International's business. Pathe's was not moved until Arkoff pointed out that American International was one of Pathe Labs' largest customers and that if it was going into competition with AIP, all of AIP's lab work would be pulled. Pathe sold the production to American International before principal photography began.
In explaining his theories about the link between the body and the mind, Miles Archer refers to a colleague named "Cargrave", without any elaboration. "Sir Robert Cargrave", a distinguished medical man, is the hero of the famous horror novella "Sardonicus" by Ray Russell - who is also one of the screenwriters on this movie.
Last film of 'Heather Angel'.
Ray Milland and Heather Angel previously appeared together in "Bulldog Drummond Escapes" (1937).