Lana Turner, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jason Robards Jr., George Hamilton and Susan Kohner head the cast.

[3] The supporting cast features Thomas Mitchell, Barbara Bel Geddes, Everett Sloane, Carroll O'Connor, and Jean Willes.

Walter Mirsch later said "The lack of success either artistically or commercially of By Love Possessed... was a psychological and emotional blow as well as a huge personal disappointment.

"[4] In a Massachusetts law firm, Arthur Winner, Julius Penrose and Noah Tuttle are equal partners.

Warren Winner, Arthur's rebellious and irresponsible son, is expected to marry Noah's wealthy ward, Helen Detweiler, but he is not in love with her.

Warren instead loses himself in a fling with a prostitute, Veronica Kovacs, who angrily reacts to his disinterest in pursuing an ongoing relationship by accusing him of rape.

[6] Mirsch admitted Sturges "was certainly more at home with male-oriented, action subjects than soap opera... but I was guilty of ignoring my own misgivings and of wanting to keep him involved in one of our projects rather than letting him accept an assignment elsewhere while we were doing the script preparation on The Great Escape.