Don Siegel wrote his own script for the film, which he eventually handed over to Gene L. Coon to use as his own final script.
Angie Dickinson recalled that Ronald Reagan, an arch-conservative Republican, refrained from discussing politics during filming since President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated and the other members of the cast were Democrats.
Ronald Reagan's last acting role before entering politics.
According to Don Siegel, it was the policy at Universal at the time to shoot the last scene of the film first. On that first day of filming, according to Siegel and Clu Gulager, Lee Marvin arrived late and had been drinking, but because he had no dialogue, the scenes were used as shot.
Among other actors considered for Lee Marvin's role were Steven Hill, Neville Brand, 'Carroll O'Connor (I)', David Brian, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Ralph Meeker and Barry Sullivan.
Among other actors considered for Ronald Reagan's role were Barry Nelson, Gig Young, John Forsythe, Leslie Nielsen, Van Johnson, Richard Conte, Steve Cochran, Richard Basehart and Walter Matthau.
Among other actors considered for John Cassavetes' role were Steve McQueen, Rod Taylor, Cliff Robertson, George Peppard, Robert Wagner, Bobby Darin, George Maharis, Tom Tryon and Lee Marvin.
Despite having a score composed by John Williams, the film's opening and end title music were lifted excerpts from Touch of Evil which was scored by Henry Mancini.
Finnish censorship certificate # 69710 delivered on 29-3-1968.
French visa # 29502.
NBC made a deal with MCA Inc., to produce a series entitled 'PROJECT 120', a series of two hour features made especially for TV. The first one would be "Johnny North" aka "The Killers", but due to the violence and sexual content the title was changed and released in movie theaters.
Originally a made-for-TV movie (it would have been the very first), but because of the intensity of the violence, it was released theatrically instead.
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during filming, which caused a delay in the production.
The only movie in which Ronald Reagan plays a bad guy. He reportedly hated doing it.
Don Siegel:
a cook at a diner