This version of "The Front Page" was the first to mention the city by name and use real Chicago newspapers. Billy Wilder felt that Chicago was the most exciting newspaper town in the country.
Carol Burnett was extremely unhappy with her performance, as were a lot of critics. She often told the story of being on a flight which showed this as the in-flight movie. After the film ended, Burnett stood up and apologized to the passengers.
Susan Sarandon stayed at the famed Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood during the shoot, and was robbed by an intruder who took her gear while she slept. When she told Walter Matthau, he insisted on lending her some money to get her through the shoot.
The opening scene showing the newspaper being printed was shot at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner's print room. It had one of the last fully operational old style printing presses still in use.
The stage version of The Front Page opened at the Times Square Theater on August 14, 1928, and ran for 276 performances.