The novel was published in 1955.
The New York Times called it a "grade A novel". In May 1956 the novel was optioned by the sons of
Spyros Skouras, Plato and Spyros Jnr, who had formed a production company, Artys Co, with their cousin Charles Spyros Jnr, son of Charles Skouras.
André de Toth and John Hawkins wrote a script with De Toth intending to direct; the Skouras brothers wanted
Gregory Peck and
Jack Palance to star. Eventually rights shifted to Regal Films Inc and the film was made as part of Regal's ten films in three months. De Toth did not direct. The film was shot back to back with
Villa!! in Mexico, in and around
Estudios Churubusco in Mexico City. ==References==