Heller in Pink Tights

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• Final cut disavowed by George Cukor.
• Actor Ken Clark, a close friend of writer DeWitt Bodeen, brought 'Louis LAmour's book to Bodeen's attention. Bodeen, a friend of director George Cukor, told him about the book, which Cukor read and was enthusiastic about. Bodeen was to write the script with L'Amour himself, but L'Amour wanted more money than the studio was willing to pay and was not hired. The final screenplay is signed Dudley Nichols and Walter Bernstein. Cukor thanked Clark by casting him as a soldier warning the traveling company about the presence of Indians in the area.
• According to Hedda Hopper column of the era, George Cukor and Sophia Loren wanted Clint Walker for role played by Steve Forrest but conflicting schedules made that casting impossible.
• The novel and the film are inspired by the life of vaudeville actress Adah Isaacs Menken (1835-1868).