The bridge being built is the Golden Gate Bridge, spanning San Francisco Bay, which opened in 1937.
The Professor calls his secret formula "Samsonite," but there is no connection with the famous luggage brand. The Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company named one of its cases "Samson", after the Biblical strongman, and only began using the trademark "Samsonite" the same year this film was made.
The icicles hanging from the bridge were made of a combination of paraffin wax and melted sugar.
A rare instance of the famously bald Ed Brophy wearing a toupee.
A very young Jackie Gleason makes a short appearance as a man putting nickles into a cigarette machine while drunk.