Kino Lorber films has released a Blu-Ray version of the film from an existing 35 mm print with missing scenes and the color hand tinted segments restored.
Low-budget films such as this seldom waste time on camera gimmicks, but the film does have one or two memorable visual moments. During the screening of the stage actor's death, the filmed evidence bursts into flame in the projector. In this black-and-white movie, the screen turns orange and obscures the murderer details. The projection booth smoke is also red and orange. The cinema effect was achieved by hand-painting frame by frame, an inexpensive but impressive effect. When the film was first screened in preview, the response to the color sequence was so strong that the producers delayed the release for several weeks, to allow for every print in distribution to be hand-tinted.
The "Tonart Studios" where the story takes place were actually locations within the California Tiffany Studios in Hollywood where the production was filmed in November 1932. Shooting on the studio grounds, in the studio hallways, and in studio makeup rooms was a cost-savings for set building and decorating, and rental costs. It also solved the logistical problems of a location crew.
This film features much of the principal cast of the previous year's wildly profitable and successful Dracula (1931), including David Manners, Edward Van Sloan and Bela Lugosi. The studio sought to emphasize this connection to "Dracula," most notably by giving Lugosi top billing despite his small supporting role.
Drew's car is a 1930 Packard Deluxe Eight convertible coupe with the distinctive "Goddess of Speed" hood ornament. In just good condition in 2023, an example of this car could fetch $100,000 or much more at auction.