It was James Cagney's small role (as a fast-talking insurance salesman) in this film that made William A. Wellman decide to cast him in the lead role of Tom Powers in The Public Enemy (1931). He had initially been cast as Matt Doyle, with Edward Woods playing Tom, but Wellman was so impressed by Cagney that he reversed the roles.
The characters James Alden and his wife Laura are played by real husband and wife George Arliss and Florence Arliss.
During one scene, George Arliss's character is asked when his birthday is; he replies "April 10." George Arliss's birthday was indeed April 10.
Filmed in the last half of 1930, released in the first half of 1931.
A washed out 24-sheet poster for Little Caesar with Edward G. Robinson blocks the site of the soon-to-be Mission Garage.