Hughes, a famous crime writer in the mid-twentieth century, wrote Ride the Pink Horse in 1946.

Hughes's writing style emanated throughout the novel demonstrated by the sense of urgency and suspense that held steady over the entire course of the story.

The story illustrated the efforts of Sailor confronting Douglass, a wealthy ex-senator, about the murder of the senator's wife.

In the novel, a character named "Sailor" rather than Frank Hugo has managed to obtain a deferment from military service.

The film makes many details, including those of the blackmail scheme, less sordid, and adopts different names and occupations for the principal non-Mexican characters.