Warner Bros. entrusted Arthur Hailey’s novel to Wendell Mayes as both screenwriter and producer. A luxury New Orleans hotel is owned by Melvyn Douglas, managed by Rod Taylor, performed at by real-life jazz star Carmen McRae, and coveted by Kevin McCarthy; among the guests bringing in baggage are burglar Karl Malden, doctor Davis Roberts and wife Annazette Chase, and UK swells Michael Rennie and Merle Oberon (wearing her own pricey jewelry).