Unseen for many years because the last reel had decomposed, the final eight minutes have been reconstructed using production stills and title cards, allowing modern audiences to see an approximation of the complete film.
Gloria Swanson (as Sadie) swore several times on screen, but as the title cards don't reflect this and the film is silent, it was released without censorship.
The play, written by John Colton and Clemence Randolph, opened on Broadway in New York City, New York on 7 November 1922 and had 256 performance with Jeanne Eagels as Sadie. There were 2 New York revivals, the last in 1935 with Tallulah Bankhead as Sadie.
Gloria Swanson's distinctive Sadie Thompson costume was at one point housed in The Crocker Museum in Hollywood, the first museum dedicated to props and other artifacts from American films. The museum was started by actor Harry Crocker, circa 1928.