The character "Johnny Edge" (Mark Harmon) is loosely based on the real life of Universal Studios founder Carl Laemmle.
It is not clear from the cast list, but Dorit Stevens plays Helene (pronounced Helen in the movie), who is the wife of the director Conrad Stillman.
Mark Harmon, Morgan Fairchild, and Howard Duff would all work together again the next year in N.B.C.'s prime time soap opera FLAMINGO ROAD. Morgan Fairchild didn't have any scenes with Howard Duff in The Dream Merchants, but Mark Harmon did.