It was directed by Delmer Daves and stars Troy Donahue, Angie Dickinson, and Suzanne Pleshette.

After quitting her job as school librarian, Prudence Bell (Suzanne Pleshette) leaves New England for a vacation in Rome.

On the ship over, she befriends Roberto Orlandi (Rossano Brazzi), a philandering middle-aged Italian.

Don is recovering from a failed relationship with a blonde temptress, Lyda (Angie Dickinson).

Delmer Daves purchased the rights to the novel in 1957 and announced plans to make a film version in France, Copenhagen and Switzerland.

[7] Donahue and Pleshette fell in love while filming, and eventually wed, though the marriage lasted less than a year.

[8] The song "Al di là" featured in the film and performed by Emilio Pericoli was originally recorded by Betty Curtis and Luciano Tajoli and winner of the 1961 edition of the Sanremo Festival, subsequently becoming Italy's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 1961.

The Library and Port of Entry sets were originally constructed for the film The Music Man (1962).