Although uncredited, the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) film Port of Seven Seas (1938, see entry) written by Preston Sturges, was also a source for this picture, with some scenes and dialogue directly repeated in Fanny. Both were based on Marcel Pagnol’s 1931 play, Fanny, part of the writer’s “Marseille trilogy” along with Marius (Paris, 9 Mar 1929) and César (production date undetermined). Pagnol's trilogy had previously been made as films in France: 1931’s Marius, 1932’s Fanny, and 1936’s César.
       Joshua Logan co-wrote, produced, and directed a musical adaptation of Fanny that premiered at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway on 4 Nov 1954. The idea for the musical had been suggested by producer David Merrick, according to a 2 Jul 1961 NYT article written by Logan, who admitted to feeling less than satisfied when the musical ended its run since he had wanted to tell more of Pagnol’s story. Warner Bros. Pictures began negotiating for screen rights to the Broadway musical in summer 1957. An item in the 19 Jun 1957 Var listed the “asking price” for the property as $500,000 and ten-percent of gross profits. However, Warner Bros. ultimately paid around $200,000 for the rights, as noted in the 18 May 1960 NYT. After the musical rights were cleared, Warner Bros. sought permission from Pagnol, whose cooperation was announced in a 12 Aug 1958 LAT brief. Over $50,000 was reportedly spent “to clear the complicated motion picture franchises.” Logan set out to make the film adaptation with screenwriter Julius J. Epstein. A previous screen adaptation had been written by Robert Wyler.
       Actor Maurice Chevalier lobbied for the role of “Panisse,” and was cast despite Logan’s initial misgivings that the veteran actor was unfit for “a role with no sex appeal,” as stated in the 2 Jul 1961 NYT. Audrey Hepburn was sought to play “Fanny”; despite her interest, she was ultimately unable to take part due to pregnancy. The 30 Jan 1960 LAT claimed that Chevalier suggested Pier Angeli for the role, for which Brigitte Bardot was also considered. After determining that Bardot’s English was “too precarious,” Logan decided on Leslie Caron, who was said to be initially skeptical before the part was re-written for her. Alain Delon was named in an 8 Jul 1959 DV item as the actor who would play “Marius,” but he did not remain with the project. Likewise, the 8 May 1959 LAT listed Fredric March as a cast member, but March did not appear in the final film.
       A production chart in the 25 May 1960 Var announced the start of principal photography on 16 May 1960 in Marseille, France, where locations included the Château d'If and Notre-Dame de la Garde. Production also took place in Paris, France. The 18 May 1960 NYT stated that shooting was being done in Cinemascope.
       On 21 Sep 1960, Var indicated that filming was recently completed. Editing took place in New York City, according to the 3 Nov 1960 DV. A longer, “roadshow” version, which would include an intermission, was under consideration. However, Logan was quoted in the 28 Sep 1960 Var as saying, “It’s a several-million-dollar project, and it’s worth jettisoning some footage if cutting is going to help the finished project.” The running time was eventually reduced from over three hours to 133 minutes, and the picture was shown without an intermission. Scenes that were edited out included a singing number by Chevalier—the only one of three musical sequences included in the original script that was actually shot, as noted in the 28 Jun 1961 Var-- and a scene between Chevalier and Leslie Caron’s three-year-old son, Christopher Hall, according to a 21 May 1961 LAT brief.
       Fanny was named “Picture of the Month” in the Jun 1961 issue of Seventeen magazine. On 28 Jun 1961, it opened in Los Angeles, CA, to positive reviews. The film garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Picture; Actor (Charles Boyer); Cinematography; Film Editing; Music (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture). Golden Globe Award nominations included Best Motion Picture – Drama; Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Leslie Caron); Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Maurice Chevalier); and Best Original Score – Motion Picture.
       Following several months in release, the 12 Oct 1961 NYT announced that Warner Bros. had yielded to a group of theater owners who, upon deciding the film was inappropriate for children, had refused to play it as a matinee. Warner Bros. initially demanded to be paid for the matinee showings even if Fanny was not the film onscreen, but the exhibitors organized and won renegotiated contracts with the studio.
       Parisian dancer Monique Just was named as a cast member in the 23 May 1960 LAT.