According to David Niven, this film was to have been called "It Ain't No Sin" and, as a publicity stunt, 40 parrots were trained to repeat "It ain't no sin." Then the Hays Office made the studio change the title.
"My Old Flame", a staple for hundreds of future recording artists of all genres, was introduced in this film. The original music by Arthur Johnston and lyrics by Sam Coslow were reworked by Duke Ellington and performed by Mae West and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
The African-American newspaper The California Eagle commended this film for employing a large number of black extras. A June 1, 1934 article stated that 25 female extras of varying ages were used on one day, and 56 black men were called for another.
This film had to be made twice. When the first version was previewed, the audiences howled at the racy humor. Industry executives, however, were terrified of censorship. Mae West was forced to comply, and a second tamer version was made and released.
According to a column by Louella Parsons, a filmed version with the working title "IT AIN'T NO SIN" was rejected by the censors, but an already prepared, milder script for the most problematic scenes went into production. The final, approved version (as "Belle of the Nineties") was soon ready for release. (Syracuse (NY) Journal, 12 July 1934)