The movie was adapted by Clifford Odets, Ernest Lehman and Alexander Mackendrick (uncredited)from the novelette by Lehman. It was directed by Mackendrick. The film has been deemed "culturally significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Sweet Smell of Success was made into a Broadway musical in 2002 by Marvin Hamlisch, Craig Carnelia and John Guare.