Patty McCormack, star of the 1956 film, was offered the role of Monica Breedlove. However, after reading the script, she promptly turned down the part.
An early draft of the teleplay has Christine reading Rachel a "different bedtime story", in order to test her for a reaction, prior to giving the girl Monica's sleeping pills. This new story chronicles how King Ahab of Israel had Naboth of Jezreel stoned to death for the latter's vineyard, after Naboth refused to sell (he was appalled by Ahab's plan to turn it into a vegetable garden). When asked what she thinks of Naboth's being murdered by Ahab - who already owned many vineyards, most of which were far greater than the one Naboth prized - Rachel callously replies that Naboth should have just sold the vineyard...and that it's a wonder Ahab didn't just kill him for it, being king and all. This steels Christine for the sad task which lies ahead of her.
It was originally written as a television pilot. When ABC executives turned it down, it became a standalone made-for-TV movie instead.
Drew Barrymore and Alyssa Milano auditioned for Rachel.