The filming of Wicked Stepmother would be a troubling experience for everyone involved, but more so for its star. As health troubles made it difficult to work, she would exit the production after little more than a week on the set. The director would face a decision as to what to do what his film when his star disappeared. His decision would be surprising to many in Hollywood when he opted to rework the film around what little footage he had of Davis. No one was more surprised than the star herself.