This was the more modest of the two biopics of Oscar Wilde which opened in Britain, where both were made, in 1960. The two films were announced by rival companies within a few days of each other, began filming almost simultaneously, and were released in cinemas only a few days apart. This black-and-white, low-budget version made it onto the screen first, but was dismissed by most critics, and failed at the box-office. The other movie, "The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960)," was lavishly produced in Technicolor and Technirama and featured a star-studded cast led by Peter Finch as Wilde. It got rave reviews, but it, too, failed financially.
Robert Morley made his name on the stage playing Oscar Wilde at the London Gate Theatre in 1936. The play was a success despite being banned from major London theatres because of its theme of homosexuality, and was later produced in America with Morley making his Broadway debut in the part on October 10, 1938. The play was a hit in New York City and ran for 247 performances, a substantial run at the time for a straight play.
Robert Morley told a biographer in his old age that when he had first played Oscar Wilde in 1936, he had been too young for the part, and that when he played him again in this movie, he had been too old.
Oscar Wilde is depicted as getting out of his cab and meeting with Robert Ross in front of his house - correctly numbered as 16, on Tite Street in Chelsea, London. The house has since been re-numbered as 34 and there is a blue historical marker there.
Oscar Wilde's son Cyril is played by Robert Morley's actual son, Wilton Morley.