The 25 May 1964 DV announced that Pan-Arts Co. recently finalized a deal with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to produce a film based of Elliott Baker’s 1964 novel. Delbert Mann, whose Biography Productions was also included in the deal, was set to direct. More than a year later, the 15 Jun 1965 DV reported that the project had been taken over by Warner Bros. Pictures, with Irvin Kershner as Mann’s replacement, as stated in the 17 Jun 1965 NYT. After completing the screenplay, Baker told the 28 Nov 1965 LAT that it had been a “pleasant” experience, despite warnings to the contrary from his publisher, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, and colleague Norman Mailer.
       The 2 Dec 1964 DV stated that actor Albert Finney declined an offer to play the lead role. A news brief in the 13 Jul 1965 DV noted that Henry Fonda was also a candidate, but he was prohibited by a scheduling conflict. Janice Rule was being considered for the female lead, according to the 7 Jul 1965 DV, but the part ultimately went to Joanne Woodward. A 20 Sep 1965 report announced the start of principal photography that day in New York City. Sean Connery had since assumed the starring role.
       After nearly three weeks of location shooting, production moved to Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA, on 7 Oct 1965, as stated in that day’s DV. The 2 Nov 1965 DV reported that actor John Fiedler, who was on hiatus from the Broadway cast of The Odd Couple, received cuts to his head after a background actor accidentally shattered a glass panel on set. Fiedler resumed work following first aid treatment. Patrick O’Neal sustained broken ribs while on location with the company of Alvarez Kelly (1966, see entry), in which he performed concurrently with A Fine Madness. The 29 Nov 1965 DV noted that the set was visited by the Dave Clark Five, a popular English band at the time.
       Early the next year, the 4 Jan 1966 DV reported that Woodward was returning to Burbank from her home in Bridgeport, CT, to re-record dialogue the following day, indicating that filming had concluded sometime earlier. On 16 Feb 1966, DV announced that post-production was nearing completion. A preview was held in early May 1966 at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood, CA, according to the 3 May 1966 DV. Audiences reportedly continued to identify Connery with the character “James Bond,” whom he played in four previous pictures.
       The 28 Oct 1965 DV identified Marjorie Bundock as harp instructor to cast member Jean Seberg. Casting announcements include the following: Lew Herbert (28 Sep 1965 DV); Gail Bonney (3 Nov 1965 DV); Dee Carroll (18 Nov 1965 DV); Kevin Cooper, Dodo Denny, Peg Shirley, and Maidie Norman (22 Nov 1965 DV); Jean Moore and Ron Burke (24 Nov 1965 LAT); Brenda Niebes (29 Nov 1965 DV); Eva Soreny (30 Nov 1965 DV); George Niese (3 Dec 1965 LAT); Louise Lomier, Helene Winston, Mary Benoit, Helene Heigh, Joan Sudlow, Monty Margetts, and Natalie Core (7 Dec 1965 DV); Lester Dore and Muriel Cogan (24 Dec 1965DV).
       The 23 May 1966 DV noted that the picture was in “pre-release booking” in Los Angeles, CA. Reviews were tepid, with the 30 Jun 1966 NYT describing the film as “rich to raucous to plain fumbling.” However, opening week receipts in New York City and Los Angeles were promising, as reported in the 17 May 1966 and 1 Jul 1966 DV. Irvin Kershner later told the 13 Nov 1966 LAT that the final edit was supervised by studio president Jack Warner, who was reportedly unfamiliar with Elliott Baker’s screenplay. Warner declared the director’s cut “anti-social,” which Kershner claimed was his intent.