Montgomery Clift was a great fan of Nathanael West's novella and jumped at the chance of appearing in the film version.
Myrna Loy arrived on set to find Montgomery Clift very nervous about meeting and working with her as he had been a big fan of hers for years. Loy was very flattered by this and the two formed a close friendship.
Maureen Stapleton's first credited film role.
This updated version is generally held to be a travesty of Nathanael West's famously savage and disturbing novella. Producer Dore Schary later said he regretted giving the story a happy ending.
The play, "Miss Lonelyhearts" opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St., on October 3, 1957 and ran for only 12 performances.