The working title of the film was Someone to Love, as noted by several contemporary sources throughout the spring of 1922. The 1 Apr 1922 Exhibitors Trade Review indicated that principal photography would begin the first full week of Apr 1922. Reeve Houck, assistant production manager at Ince Studios, arranged for cast and crew to join a traveling circus, and by the end of Apr 1922, the film company was on the road with a performing troupe. The 6 May 1922 Exhibitors Trade Review clarified that the circus in question was the Howe’s Great London Circus, and noted filmmakers’ plans to follow the troupe to the San Francisco Bay Area. Two to three weeks were spent filming with the circus.
       On 16 Sep 1922, Moving Picture World announced that the Thomas H. Ince production had been retitled, Ten Ton Love. Although Ince had initially struck a distribution deal with Associated First National Pictures, an 11 Jan 1923 FD news brief explained that producer and distributor fell into a disagreement over the film’s “exhibition value,” which was set at $700,000. First National considered the figure to be too high, and countered with a reduced valuation. Ince rejected the offer. Two months later, a 15 Mar 1923 FD news item indicated that Metro Pictures Corporation had agreed to distribute the picture under the title, Soul of the Beast. The film received enthusiastic reviews in the 21 Apr 1923 Motion Picture News and 5 May 1923 Exhibitors Trade Review. Critics admired the authenticity of the circus scenes, as well as the cyclone that tears through the touring troupe’s encampment. Oscar the elephant was commended for his artful, comedic performance.
       According to the Library of Congress American Silent Feature Film Survival Database, this film is extant. It was screened at the Kansas Silent Film Festival on 29 February 2020.