The 21 Feb 1962 Var announced that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (MGM) purchased motion picture rights for Al Dewlin's 1961 novel, Twilight of Honor, winner of the McGraw-Hill Fiction Award. As stated in the 7 Sep 1962 LAT, Nick Adams was among the first actors to join the cast. Robert Walker, Jr., was also under consideration, according to the 29 Nov 1962 LAT. However, the lead role ultimately went to Richard Chamberlain, who had recently risen to fame in the television series, Dr. Kildare (NBC, 28 Sep 1961 - 30 Aug 1966). Producer William Perlberg told the 16 Jan 1963 Var that Chamberlain was an excellent prospect, as his fan mail rivaled that of Clark Gable decades earlier. Perlberg added that Chamberlain would save the studio money by accepting a flat salary with no share in profits. Although the 8 Feb 1963 DV claimed that Ann-Margret was to play the female lead, the film became the screen debut for stage and television actress Joey Heatherton. According to the 1 Mar 1963 issue, veteran character actor Ed Begley was assigned an unspecified role. Other castings included Scott Seaton (7 May 1963 DV), and Karen Conrad and Lee Anthony (14 May 1963 DV).
       A 12 Apr 1963 DV news item stated that Joey Heatherton was due to arrive the next day at MGM Studios in Culver City, CA. Principal photography began 30 Apr 1963, according to 3 May 1963 DV production charts. The 30 Apr 1963 edition noted that MGM was releasing still photographs of Heatherton, who struck poses to emphasize her resemblance to the late Marilyn Monroe. Four days earlier, DV reported plans to darken Chamberlain's hair to suit his character. However, Perlberg abandoned the idea, then claimed he was seeking a new title for the film. On 6 May 1963, DV announced the provisional title as "Section 12-24, which was to be described in a title card as "justifiable homicide in an adulterous act." However, Perlberg decided to omit the card, believing it was inappropriate for Chamberlain's adolescent fan base. On 16 May 1963, while Chamberlain suffered from laryngitis, DV reported that MGM attorneys were suggesting changes to the screenplay to avoid any possibility of an "invasion of privacy" lawsuit. This, despite the fact that source author Al Dewlin insisted his book was pure fiction.
       The 21 May 1963 DV noted that a week of location shooting was scheduled to begin that day. Locations were identified as a motel near Los Angeles International Airport, and the courthouse in Santa Ana, CA. The company had just completed a series of courthouse scenes, employing as many as 200 background actors. The 31 May 1963 issue stated that filming on the MGM lot was resuming that day. Nick Adams was expected to complete his role by 10 Jun 1963.
       Perlberg was quoted in the 14 Jun 1963 DV as saying that he did not believe his recently-completed film, which dealt with adultery and murder, was appropriate for young viewers. The 21 Jun 1963 edition noted that a Thanksgiving release was planned. Sneak previews were underway later that summer, as stated in the 6 Aug 1963 DV. According to the 12 Aug 1963 DV, Richard Chamberlain attended a preview screening in Pomona, CA. Although much of the audience enjoyed the film, several mothers reportedly complained that Chamberlain's public image would be tarnished by the sordid subject matter.
       The 17 May 1963 DV noted that composer John Green was scoring the film, following a five-year absence from MGM. Recording began approximately two months later, as stated in the 20 Aug 1963 edition. According to the 16 Oct 1963 Var, the soundtrack album featured the Burt Bacharach-Hal David songs, "Close To You" and "Blue Guitar," performed by Chamberlain, along with Green's score.
       As the release date approached, the 16 Oct 1963 DV announced that MGM planned to distribute 50,000 autographed pictures of Chamberlain to Los Angeles, CA, theaters. One month later, the 15 Nov 1963 NYT reported that the actor was scheduled to appear that evening at the Paramount Theatre in New York City. Twilight of Honor opened 23 Oct 1963 in Los Angeles, and 13 Nov 1963 in New York City. Although reviews were generally positive, critics agreed that the picture was unsuited to Chamberlain's core audience. The film garnered Academy Award nominations for Actor in a Supporting Role (Nick Adams), and Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White (George W. Davis, Paul Groesse, Henry Grace, and Hugh Hunt.) In addition, Joey Heatherton received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Newcomer-Female.
       In the 29 Apr 1964 DV, Perlberg attributed the picture's financial failure to Chamberlain's television stardom, asserting that the public would not pay to see an actor whom they can regularly see in their homes free of charge. Chamberlain, however, told the 9 Nov 1965 DV that the film was sabotaged by a poor screenplay.