The movie was adapted by Billy Wilder and Edwin Blum from the play by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski. It was directed by Wilder.
It won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role (William Holden) and was nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert Strauss) and Best Director.
Holden's acceptance speech for the Academy Award was the shortest on record. He only said, "Thank you."