At the time of production, Universal Pictures was among reports that the studio was going to be sold. Pressure was put on the first initial director Stuart Walker who was not happy with the original script written by John Colton. Walker requested a three-day delay on the production to work on the script which was refused by Universal Studios which led Walker leaving the production. Walker responded to trade papers on leaving the picture stating that he was enthusiastic about the films story and the cast but he "did not feel that could do the studio or [himself justice under their conditions that came up suddenly." Walker declared that he "suggested that some other director would be better for the assignment. It was not a matter of "walking out..."" Lambert Hillyer ended up the director of the film. The films score by Franz Waxman is predominantly original material, but includes cues from "The Bride of Frankenstein".