According to a book on "Gunsmoke," Amanda Blake, who lived in Arizona and commuted to Hollywood to do the shows on an as-needed basis, was extremely upset at working on location, particularly doing most of her scenes in a desert summer under many layers of clothing. This started a feud between her and producer John Mantley, which culminated in Blake's departure from the show three years later.
This is the 6th and final episode for Peggy Rea, and the 12th and final episode for Royal Dano, one of which was a 2-parter.
There is a historical basis for the character of the Wild Child in this story. History records a number of instances of feral children, orphans or runaways who grew up in the wild, either alone or with animals, and survived by living more like animals than humans. Most of those accounts are from Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, Texas folklore tells the story of the Lobo (Wolf) Girl of the Devil's River. Reportedly orphaned at birth in 1835, she survived by living with wolves. She was captured in 1846, soon escaped, and was last spotted in 1852, her ultimate fate unknown.