A few days before shooting was to start, director Rex Ingram realized that Metro had forgotten to order costumes for Lewis Stone. The desperate director frantically phoned Stone and asked if he still had the costumes from the stage version. Luckily the actor had them stored in his attic.
The TCM print is principally derived from the UK re-release, in which Ramon Novarro, who had by that time become a major player as a result of his work in this film, in the supporting role of Rupert of Hentzau, was now given first billing above that of the originally top billed Lewis Stone, who plays the title role.
Lewis Stone (Rudolf Rassendyll / King Rudolf V) would later play the Cardinal in Il prigioniero di Zenda (1952).
Anthony Hope also collaborated with Edward E. Rose for a play, "The Prisoner of Zenda", which opened in New York City on 9/4/1895.
A musical version of the novel, called "Princess Flavia," opened in New York City on 121/2/1925 and had 153 performances. The music was by Sigmund Romberg, and Douglass Dumbrille was in the cast.