David Lean and cinematographer Ronald Neame decided not to use double exposure to create Elvira's ghostly appearances. Instead, Lean created an enormous set that allowed Kay Hammond to move freely in each shot. Hammond wore fluorescent green clothes, makeup, and a wig, with bright red lipstick and fingernail polish. Each time she moved, a special light would be directed on her, allowing her figure to glow even in dimly-lit scenes, and giving her an otherworldly appearance.
Margaret Rutherford and Kay Hammond played Madame Arcati and Elvira, respectively, in the original West End production. Jacqueline Clarke played Edith in the original Broadway production.
Following the success of the play in London and on Broadway, every studio in Hollywood wanted to make the movie of Blithe Spirit. However, Noel Coward took the project to his friend David Lean, with whom he had co-directed the Oscar-winning In Which We Serve. However, Coward was not at all happy with Lean's film of Blithe Spirit. He later asked Lean, "How the hell did you fuck up the best thing I ever did?"
The original Broadway production of "Blithe Spirit" written by Noel Coward opened at the Morosco Theater on November 5, 1941, ran for 657 performances and closed on June 5, 1943. Jacqueline Clarke repeated her role in the film.