Because of cost overruns, there were six consecutive episodes, including this one, that were videotaped and then transferred to 16mm film for TV broadcast and future syndicated rebroadcasts. It saved only about $30,000 for all six. Not enough to justify the loss of depth of visual perspective, which gave those shows an appearance like a live broadcast or like soap operas in that day. This was an experiment for a normally filmed TV show and was basically called a failure. This type of recording was never again used for any more Twilight Zone episodes.
Buck Houghton recalled making this episode in Marc Scott Zicree's "The Twilight Zone Companion." "Once in a while, Rod (Rod Serling) would have an enthusiasm. He'd say to himself or to Carol or to me or whomever, that he particularly liked somebody. There was a Christmas show that we did just because he wanted to see Art Carney play Santa Claus."
Near the end, Corwin/Santa is sitting on the steps of the Mission talking to the character listed in the credits as simply "Old Man." However, he addresses him twice as "Burt." The character called "Old Man" was portrayed by very familiar character actor Burt Mustin.
The title is based upon the Biblical quote of Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
Art Carney and John Fiedler would go on to appear on Broadway as Felix Ungar and Vinnie in the original production of "The Odd Couple."
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