Filmed almost entirely in Oklahoma, the drama was meant to tell a strong psychological story involving rivalry and hatred.

On Jerry's birthday Ellen comes home with a cake, a phonograph album, and she's wearing a new black lace bra that she believes will please her husband.

Ellen believes it is her fault for upsetting Jerry, and she goes to see her friend Ruth, a case worker, for help in finding her husband so he doesn't lose his job.

Ellen goes to see Liz and learns that, while Jerry told her he was from Pennsylvania, he was from Quehada, Oklahoma, and his boyhood friend was Harvey Sugget.

In Quehada Ellen meets Harvey's wife Zelda, who says her husband is always running after other women, and one day she'll catch him with someone else and kill him.

Jerry left his hometown after her death, but every week someone puts fresh flowers on the mother's grave.

She says she came upon Jerry collapsed on the ground after Cliff had beaten him, and she went through his pockets, finding papers written in Spanish, and a muddy, bloodstained black lace bra.

Ruth drives her friend to the airport, and Ellen is able to buy a last minute ticket and get on the plane that Cliff is taking to Mexico.

Ned Hockman had directed short documentary films, and Dwight V. Swain had written novels, and sold stories to pulp magazines.

Three days of filming took place in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the site of a work conference Ellen and Cliff attended.

[2] The film was shot in 30 days, and Beverly Garland stayed an extra two weeks for publicity purposes, taking part in numerous TV interviews.

[2] Beverly Garland, Skip Homeier, and Kenneth Tobey were the only professional actors hired; all other parts were acted by local Oklahomans.

Music was composed and conducted by Lawrence Fisher, the assistant director of the Oklahoma City Symphony.