 Rights to the book were purchased by 20th Century Fox in September 1942, and Monty Woolley was immediately cast to star in the picture.On February 2, 1943, Fox announced the Gracie Fields would co-star in the picture and that the title was being changed from its working title of "Buried Alive" to the more audience-friendly "Holy Matrimony".Fox announced on March 29 that Una O'Connor and Eric Blore had been added to the cast as well.