The play and the film tell the true story of playwright Emlyn Williams and his schoolmistress Miss Cooke.
According to director Rapper, Bette Davis hated wearing the wig in the film, but at one point the tin frame from an arc light fell and hit her, and the wig fortuitously saved her from serious injury.
According to director Irving Rapper, when supporting players Joan Lorring and John Dall received Oscar nominations and she did not, star Bette Davis was chagrined.
Richard Waring, who created the role of Morgan on stage in America was signed by Warner Bros. but he was drafted before shooting began and had to be replaced by John Dall. Veteran actor Gareth Hughes was then living in a monastery. An agreement was found with his religious superior so that he could serve as the Welsh dialect coach.