In August 1952, the script was deemed unacceptable by the Production Code, by reasons of "excessive brutality and sadistic beatings, of both men and women". The committee also expressed disdain for the vicious beating of the character "Candy", on the part of "Joey". Although a revised script was accepted soon after, the studio was forced to shoot multiple takes of a particular scene in which the way Jean Peters and Richard Kiley frisk each other for loot was considered too risqué.