Under the working title "Big Daddy", this film was originally planned as a vehicle for Gary Cooper. When Cooper's terminal illness prevented his appearing, Bing Crosby was brought in and the script revised to suit his talents.
During a montage of Gil (Fabian) playing football, a newspaper headline has a typo for "Indian Creeek," with 3 E's.
Stuntman - actor Glenn Wilder makes his film debut , he is Fabian's stunt double.