The 27 Sep 1965 LAT noted that the film’s title was changed from Mother Superior, a shortened version of its literary source novel by Jane Trahey, Life with Mother Superior, to The Trouble With Angels. Columnist Hedda Hopper suggested that executives at production company Columbia Pictures “thought there were too many nun stories going about.” The 2 Nov 1965 LAT announced the production as first theatrical film by television producer William Frye, and marked the screen return of Binnie Barnes. The veteran actress was married to Columbia executive Mike Frankovich, and had a long association with star Rosalind Russell, Frye’s former client from his days as a talent agent. Frye chose Ida Lupino as director, with whom he worked on the television anthologies, Thriller (CBS, 1960 – 1962) and Alfred Hitchcock Presents (CBS, 1955 – 1960; 1962 – 1964; NBC, 1960 – 1962; 1964 – 1965). As stated in 15 Oct 1965 Var production charts, principal photography began 16 Aug 1965.
       On 22 Oct 1965, LAT reported that organizations from across the country were asking to premiere the picture for fundraising events. The request was granted to Mother Joseph of the Marymount School in Florissent, MO, formerly Ann Bragan, a high-school classmate of Rosalind Russell’s. The premiere was scheduled for 30 Mar 1966 in St. Louis, MO, according to the 23 Mar 1966 Var. A 30 Mar 1966 Var news brief noted that the date was changed to 28 Mar 1966. Russell attended with William Frye, and co-stars Hayley Mills and Mary Wickes.
       The West Coast premiere was held two weeks earlier, on 15 Mar 1966, in the Canoga Park district of Los Angeles, CA, as a benefit for the Birmingham School in nearby Van Nuys, CA. An article in the 18 Feb 1966 LAT listed actors Dick Van Dyke and Dennis Weaver as chairman of the event, intended to help the school raise the $30,000 needed to complete its $300,000 stadium. Weaver stated that it was “the first world film event held in the (San Fernando) Valley.” The guest list included names from both the entertainment industry and the Los Angeles city government, as reported in the 8 Mar 1966 LAT. The 19 Mar 1966 LAT estimated net proceeds of $12,000.
       On 12 Jan 1966, Var reported that New York City’s Radio City Music Hall would open the Easter weekend with either The Trouble With Angels or The Singing Nun (1966, see entry). Although The Singing Nun was still in post-production, Music Hall executives were able to attend a preview screening of The Trouble With Angels. Three weeks later, the 2 Feb 1966 Var announced the picture’s Easter debut in New York City, although no theater was specified. The Los Angeles opening followed in early May 1966. Critics were unenthusiastic, particularly Bosley Crowther in the 7 Apr 1966 NYT, who described the film as “icky,” and “in poor taste,” while praising Hayley Mills’s performance. Regardless, The Trouble With Angels was listed among the ten highest-grossing films in the 18 and 25 May 1966 issues of Var, and, according to the 10 Aug 1966 Var, earned $3.5 million over the next two months. It also received an award from the Southern California Motion Picture Council (SCMPC), as reported in the 22 Mar 1966 LAT.
       The Trouble With Angels marked the feature film debuts of award-winning stage actress June Harding, and Swedish newcomer Camilla Sparv. The 19 Oct 1965 LAT stated that Harding was chosen from among forty other candidates, based on her impressive guest appearance in The Nurses (CBS, 1965). On 12 Oct 1965, LAT announced that Mike Frankovich signed her to a five-year contract.
       The 24 Jun 1967 LAT reported that a sequel, titled Where Angels Go…Trouble Follows! (1968, see entry) began production in Jul 1967, with Rosalind Russell, Binnie Barnes, Dolores Sutton, and Mary Wickes reprising their roles.
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