According to the press-book, Geoffrey Household's novel was originally serialized under the title Run from the Hangman; the publication and date have not been determined. The novel was adapted for the screen by Eric Ambler was one of the biggest names in British spy fiction.
Shoot First (1953) (Rough Shoot) stars Joel McCrea in his only postwar non-Western role. The scenario is set in Cold War England when tensions ran high regarding spying.
Herbert Lom, who's best remembered now for his six Pink Panther pictures, almost steals the picture as Sandorski, "making a completely engaging character out of what's intended as a caricature," to quote Variety.
Shoot First (1953) (Rough Shoot) was based on the novel "A Rough Shoot" by Geoffrey Household (Boston, 1951). It was released in the USA as "Shoot First." Household was a popular writer who had trained in special intelligence and worked during WWII as a security officer in the Middle East region.
Shoot First (1953) (Rough Shoot) was filmed on location in England. Some scenes were shot in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in London.