 According to John Phillip Law (qv), the first choice for the role  of Ava Kent was an unknown model from New York, who was a friend of  the Head of Paramount (at the time), Charles Bludhorn. Second choice  was Catherine Deneuve (qv), who lasted for about a week, until  director Mario Bava (qv) decided she just was not right for the  part. He finally found the perfect Ava Kent in Marisa Mell (qv).