Production
The film was in development for eight years; producer-director Wyler brought the project to Allied Artists from Paramount; Allied agreed to a $1.5 million budget for what was Wyler's first film in color, though after the film's shooting location was moved from southern Indiana to a combination of a Republic studio and a San Fernando Valley estate, it ending up costing over $3 million. The film went over budget to the point that Allied sold the foreign distribution rights to MGM to raise more funds.
Cooper expressed initial reservations to Jessamyn West about the character, noting that in his previous roles "'action seems to come natural to me,' the father should be shown joining the fight. 'There comes a time in a picture of mine when the people watching expect me to do something,' he said. West responded he would do something: 'Refrain. You will furnish your public with the refreshing picture of a strong man refraining.'" Cooper followed West's advice.
Dorothy McGuire was cast as Cooper's wife after Wyler's choice, Katharine Hepburn, declined. It was Perkins' second film, after his debut in the 1953 film The Actress; his Broadway success with Tea and Sympathy in the meantime tempted him to remain on the stage, though ultimately he decided to do the film.
Read more about this topic: Friendly Persuasion (film)
Famous quotes containing the word production:
“Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul.”
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965)
“The problem of culture is seldom grasped correctly. The goal of a culture is not the greatest possible happiness of a people, nor is it the unhindered development of all their talents; instead, culture shows itself in the correct proportion of these developments. Its aim points beyond earthly happiness: the production of great works is the aim of culture.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)
“The society based on production is only productive, not creative.”
—Albert Camus (1913–1960)