The role of Ruth was intended for Susan Strasberg - who was tested for the part - but the studio decided to cast Elana Eden after they saw her screen test for The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and were stunned by her beauty and talent. However, she made only one subsequent movie, a B-picture some five years later.
Victor Buono's first film. He went on to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962). In this film, he played the Moabite priest who notices the blemish on Ruth's arm and scolds the High Priestess.
Aside from Susan Strasberg, other actresses who tested for the role of Ruth included Susan Kohner, Tina Louise, Diane Baker, Millie Perkins, Ulla Jacobsson, Myrna Fahey, Nina Shipman and Joan Collins. Elana Eden was eventually chosen to play the role, changing her name from "Elana Cooper" in the process.