The film is loosely based on Chicago Tribune reporter Jake Lingle, who was shot and killed the day before he was to meet with federal agents in connection with Al Capone's finances. There was public outrage at first over the killing of a reporter, but over the next few weeks it was discovered that Lingle was living way beyond his reporter's salary, and finally that he was on Capone's payroll.
Near the end of this film that was released in 1931, is a scene that shows the front page of "The Press" newspaper. One of the headlines on the the front page is: USE TELEVISION COMMUNICATION.
This film has been preserved by the Library of Congress.
The initial bribe of $20,000 Louis discusses in front of Breck would equate to over $316,000 in 2019.
Clark Gable was borrowed from MGM, where he was under contract. At the time of his film's production, he was also simultaneously making L'angelo bianco (1931) and The Easiest Way (1931).