Despite its large budget, this serial utilized many sets from other Universal films, such as the laboratory and crypt set from Frankensteins Braut (1935), the castle interiors from Draculas Tochter (1936), the idol from Die Mumie (1932) and the opera house interiors from Das Phantom der Oper (1925). In addition, the outer walls of Ming's castle were actually the cathedral walls from Der Glöckner von Notre Dame (1923).
The opening music for the episodes as well as some of the music for the action scenes are excerpts from the classical work "Symphonic Poem, Les Preludes", by Franz Liszt. In Chapter One Richard Wagner's "Good Friday Prelude" to "Parsifal" is used.
The serial was shot in six weeks with the cast and crew working many fourteen hour days.
The entire four hour serial was shot in six weeks with an average of 85 set-ups a day.
According to film historian Roy Kinnard, the serial played at evening performances, not just matinées, the usual time period to run chapter plays.