According to Rudy Behlmer's Memo from David O. Selznik, RKO was going to buy the rights for the play to make a movie with Hepburn in 1935. The play was later sold to Warner Brothers and Davis was cast as Judith Traherne instead.

Merle was second choice to play Judith Traherne after Greta Garbo, when David O Selznick and MGM owned the rights to the material. Merle declined because of a contract dispute.

Briefly attached to this project before the script was purchased by Warner Brothers, Bette Davis's home lot.