The 12 Jan 1964 NYT announced plans by producer Ross Hunter to star Lana Turner in a revised version of the 1908 play, La femme X, by Alexandre Bisson. The adaptation, by television writer Jean Holloway, was already completed. The picture marked Turner’s third collaboration with Hunter, and the fifth film adaptation of the “indestructible French drama.” Hunter told the 18 Apr 1965 LAT that he decided to update the story, retaining only the courtroom scene. Situations would be altered to accommodate contemporary morals, and new characters introduced, such as the “domineering mother-in-law.” He declared the result “a mother-and-child relationship that should be seen by parents and teen-agers alike.” In the 1 Feb 1966 LAT, first-time screenwriter Jean Holloway admitted to struggling for three weeks to justify the title, Madame X, explaining that in 1960s New York City, a woman would used the name “Jane Doe” to protect her identity. She also noted that the title character would not be addicted to absinthe, as it had been banned in the U.S. decades earlier.
       The 23 Jan 1964 DV reported that Hunter was planning screen tests for actors Jim Ward and Lee Kinsolving. He also offered the role of the mother-in-law to actress Madeleine Carroll, as stated in the 13 Nov 1964 DV. Other actors under consideration included John Ireland (27 Nov 1964 DV) and Gig Young (28 Dec 1964 DV). Appearing in uncredited roles were Neil Hamilton (19 Mar 1965 DV), Matilda Calnan (23 Mar 1965 DV), and hairdresser Helen Young, who played the owner of a beauty shop (17 Feb 1966 Los Angeles Sentinal). The 24 Mar 1966 Los Angeles Sentinal revealed that actor John Van Dreelen, who portrayed a concert pianist, was descended from two prominent classical musicians.
       According to 5 Mar 1965 DV production charts, principal photography began 2 Mar 1965. The 15 Dec 1964 DV reported that Lana Turner had already approved “the uncomplimentary makeup describing her degradation” in the film. The 18 Mar 1965 LAT stated that Lana Turner was scheduled to work only between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with “no business interruptions during lunch.” Four weeks later, the same author publically scolded Turner in the 14 Apr 1965 LAT for her reportedly unprofessional behavior toward Ross Hunter, noting that he rescued the actress’s career following a 1958 scandal involving her daughter. Almost a year later, the 30 Mar 1966 LAT revealed that Turner owned over fifty percent of the production.
       A news item in the 3 Jun 1965 Los Angeles Sentinal noted that the picture required eighty-four sets, the most used in any Ross Hunter production to date. Hunter also rented $1.5 million in jewelry from an unnamed New York City firm, to be worn by Turner and co-star Constance Bennett. Security officer Darryl Gregory was responsible for guarding the jewels. According to the 8 Sep 1966 Los Angeles Sentinal, one set featured five crystal chandeliers and six crystal sconces, valued at approximately $65,000. The 16 Mar 1965 DV stated that the producers of Madame X and McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force (1965, see entry) shared the cost of a constructing a freight ship set for use in both pictures. Following the completion of photography, the 4 Nov 1965 Los Angeles Sentinal revealed that a winter scene set in Denmark was filmed on a hot summer day at the Universal Pictures lot. Madame X marked the final screen appearance by Constance Bennett, who died 24 Jul 1965 of a cerebral hemorrhage.
       A 2 Sep 1965 DV news brief reported that a sixty-five piece orchestra would record Frank Skinner’s score over the next two days. Two months later, the 8 Nov 1965 DV noted that the film’s “love theme,” composed by Frank Wildman, was licensed for recording by pianist George Greeley, and by the orchestras of Carmen Cavallero, Glenn Miller, Jackie Gleason, and Andre Kostelanetz. A review of the soundtrack album, appearing in the 11 Mar 1966 DV, credited Madeleine Karter and Mario Panzeri as contributing songwriters.
       The 2 Oct 1965 LAT announced that director Bob Faber was producing two theatrical trailers for the film, to be narrated by Marvin Miller.
       The Los Angeles, CA, premiere was held in early Feb 1966, although Ross Hunter was unable to attend after contracting influenza, as stated in the 14 Feb 1966 DV. Co-star John Forsythe was also absent, due to his hillside home being threatened by mudslides. Although Lana Turner attended the screening, the 18 Feb 1966 DV reported that she also fell ill and was hospitalized the following day. She referred to the malady as “Virus X.”
       The 15 Feb 1966 DV announced the 3 Mar 1966 opening in Miami, FL, at five theaters belonging to the Wometco Circuit. Turner and Forsythe both planned to attend. The film earned $47,753 in its opening five days at four theaters, according to the 9 Mar 1966 DV. The 16 Mar 1966 Los Angeles opening was advertised in the 6 Mar 1966 LAT. A novelization by Michael Avallone was published to coincide with the film, as noted in the 3 Mar 1966 NYT.
       As reported in the 28 Feb 1966 and 16 Mar 1966 DV, respectively, Lana Turner and Jean Holloway both embarked on promotional tours. However, John Van Dreelen’s eight-city tour was canceled due to an acting commitment, according to the 28 Feb 1966 DV.
       The 17 Mar 1966 Los Angeles Sentinal reported that Universal Pictures was holding a nationwide “Beauty and Talent” contest, naming the winner “Miss X” as a tie-in to the film. Semi-finalists from sixteen cities were flown to a pageant in Miami Beach, FL, where they competed for a trip to Universal Studios and an interview with the company’s “Head of Talent.”
       Reviews were mixed, and despite predictions by Ross Hunter, Turner was not nominated for an Academy Award. She did, however, receive a gold plaque from the Italian film industry, as reported in the 9 Jun 1966 NYT, and an award for “Best Foreign Actress” at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily, according to the 2 Aug 1966 DV. The 23 Oct 1966 LAT noted that film was a runner-up for the Los Angeles Home Furnishings Mart’s Golden Chair award.
       “Film Assignments” in the 12 Mar 1965 DV listed the following crew members: Bob Rhodes, unit publicist; Al St. Hilaire, still photography; Betty Abbott, script supervisor; Harold Bourland, sound; Don Ricketts, best boy; Orville Johnson, craft service; Dennis Barton, leadman; Rita Riggs and Bob Jobe, wardrobe; Glenn Cooper, painter.