Oscar-winning actor Helen Mirren lambasted director Michael Winner in a TV interview for allegedly treating her "like a piece of meat" during a casting session for this film in 1964. Recalling the encounter, she said that he ordered her to turn around and flaunt her body for him. "I was mortified and incredibly angry. I thought it was insulting and sexist, and I don't think any actress should be treated like that, like a piece of meat, at all. I was so angry. I still am." Winner has defended his actions, saying: "I did indeed ask her to stand up. I don't remember asking her to turn around but if I did, I wasn't being serious. I can see it now. She was wearing a peasant blouse and a skirt in the photographs, with enormous bosoms which were sagging a bit even though she was young."
Major Foskett quotes the last two lines of Rupert Brooke's poem "The Old Vicarage, Granchester" (1912): "Stands the Church clock at ten to three? / And is there honey still for tea?"
Seated beside the TV studio producer at the control board is Nikki Van der Zyl, who also dubbed for Annabelle Nash (Gabriella Licudi).