To make Theodora appear more bohemian, beatnik, garments designed by Mary Quant from a recent collection were used to dress Claire Bloom.
Director Robert Wise read a review of Shirley Jackson's novel "The Haunting of Hill House" in Time Magazine and decided to get the rights to the novel. He later met the writer herself to talk about ideas for the film. He asked her if she had thought of other titles for the novel, because the title would not work for the film. She told him that the only other title she had considered was simply "The Haunting," so Wise decided to use it for the film.
Robert Wise shot the film in black and white because he loved the depth and rich atmospheric quality of black and white for this genre of film and felt it would be perfect to enhance the moody psychological quality of the story. In addition, the studio contract specified the film must be shot in black and white.
Claire Bloom was intrigued to the play the role of a woman who was attracted to another woman. She said she got along with everyone on the set, except for Julie Harris, who tried everything to avoid her and not talk to her. At the end of the shoot, Harris went over to Bloom's house with a present and explained that the reason she had kept to herself was to stay in character, because Harris' role in the film was that of an outsider that none of the others understand or will listen to. Bloom was happy to hear the real reason behind Harris' behavior, since Bloom stated that she really liked Harris and could not understand what she herself had done wrong to be treated like that by her co-star.