In his memoirs Michael Powell revealed his other candidates for the role of Vivian as being Joan Plowright (rejected as 'too sympathetic') and a young Julie Andrews (rejected as 'too famous'). He eventually chose Moira Shearer despite initially describing her as 'too glamorous'.
In Mark Lewis' "home movies," Prof. A.N. Lewis is played by director Michael Powell, young Mark Lewis is played by Powell's real-life son, Columba Powell, and Mark's mother, seen lying lifelessly in bed, is played by Columba's real-life mother, Frankie Reidy.
Milly welcomes Mark with "Look who's here - Cecil Beaton!" in the first scene above the newsagents. Sir Cecil Beaton (1904 -1980) was a noted English fashion and portrait photographer.
Premiere voted this movie as one of "The 25 Most Dangerous Movies".
The cameras in Mark Lewis' room include director Michael Powell's first film camera, a hand operated Eyemo, made by Bell and Howell, that he won in a competition.
The character of Don Jarvis the studio boss is a parody of notorious Rank mogul John Davis.
The film was heavily cut by the BBFC before release and consequently many scenes still have a ragged feel to them. The murders of Vivian and Dora were toned down, shots of nudity were deleted (including photos of nude girls in the album), the suicide of the killer was shortened, and scenes featuring the spike were also edited. Some dialogue was also cut (which explains the abrupt ending to the conversation between the policemen in the car). Although some cuts were restored in later video and DVD releases much of the edited footage is now considered lost forever.
The scandal, which the movie aroused, destroyed the career of director Michael Powell.
Michael Powell:
Peeping Tom's father, seen in an old home movie he shows the girl.