On 19 Aug 1961, the NYT reported that Hollywood film producer Ross Hunter intended to “shift” his activities to New York City. The Thrill of It All would be one of his first East Coast projects, with production slated to begin Jan 1962 in Manhattan, as well as in suburban CT. Although no director had been chosen, the NYT noted that the project would mark television writer Carl Reiner’s first produced feature screenplay. In a 25 Nov 1962 NYT article, Reiner recalled that he developed the idea for the movie with his friend and fellow television writer, Larry Gelbart. On meeting Hunter at a party, Reiner described the story with such flair and humor that the producer agreed to back the film. Since Gelbart could not collaborate on the screenplay due to other obligations, Reiner penned the script on his own.
       A 27 Mar 1962 DV news brief stated that Doris Day would star in the picture. In recent years, the actress had appeared in two films produced by Ross Hunter, Pillow Talk (1959, see entry) and Midnight Lace (1960, see entry), as well as several other pictures produced by Martin Melcher, who, as indicated by a 14 Sep 1962 DV production chart, planned to serve the same role, jointly with Hunter, on The Thrill of It All. Although the production chart listed a start date of 8 Oct 1962, a 28 Sep 1962 DV article indicated that principal photography on the $2.5 million picture was scheduled to begin 2 Oct 1962 in New York City.
       Hunter later recalled, in a 15 Feb 1963 DV article, that the role of “Gardiner Fraleigh” was initially offered to Walter Matthau. However, when the actor asked for $100,000, filmmakers rescinded the offer and cast Edward Andrews, instead.
       Regardless of Hunter’s original plan to keep production on the East Coast, production moved west sometime in Nov 1962, with a majority of filming taking place at Revue Studios, the television production facility located on the Universal Pictures back lot in Universal City, CA. On 6 Dec 1962, DV reported that one particular “night shoot” took place on the nearby Warner Bros. studio lot. According to the 25 Nov 1962 NYT, cast and crew reveled in a lighthearted onset atmosphere. Chief prop man Salvator Martino quipped that one of the biggest challenges for the design team was in creating “Happy,” the soap product for which “Beverly Boyer” becomes a television spokesperson. Because soap companies held copyrights on various soap shapes, colors, and thicknesses, all designs for the prop soap had to pass inspection with the Universal legal team. While filming in a local supermarket, the specially designed prop soap piqued the interest of shoppers, and Martino had to insist that it was not for sale.
       A 19 Jul 1963 NYT news item announced that the film would open 1 Aug 1963 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Critics praised the high production values and noted that Reiner’s witty observations and sharp dialogue elevated what was otherwise a fairly “sudsy” comedy. Following the film’s 6 Aug 1963 premiere at the Westwood Village Theater in Los Angeles, CA, the 7 Aug 1963 LAT review identified Reiner’s three brief cameo appearances.
       Although the 14 Sep 1962 DV production chart indicated that the picture would be shot in Technicolor, the 10 Jun 1963 DV review noted that the improved Eastman Color system had been used instead.