The World Is Full of Married Men time, Jacqueline Susann's similarly themed novel "Valley of the Dolls" (1966) had already become a huge bestseller and a hit film, and Collins' novel was accepted. Within a week of its publication, "The World Is Full of Married Men" made the best-seller list. The book was a hit in both the United Kingdom and the U.S., but was banned in Australia. Collins' publishers at the time, W.H. Allen, told her that unless she took the "four-letter words" out, the book would be banned in Australia. Collins proceeded in taking the four-letter words out and it was still banned in Australia.
Brian Kelly (actor) at the time as saying that he loved the role because of its family-friendly qualities. The success of "Flipper", which was filmed in Miami and the Bahamas, led to a brief movie career, including a lead in "Around the World Under the Sea" (1966). In 1970, Kelly sought to change his image by playing the role of Robin Stone in "The Love Machine", based on the novel by Jacqueline Susann. Just prior to filming, he was involved in a motorcycle accident which left his right arm and leg paralyzed. John Phillip Law took over the role. Kelly—whom Susann had called