During filming of the famous rain-barrel sequence, Jean Harlow reportedly stood up--topless--and called out something along the lines of "one for the boys in the lab!" Director Victor Fleming allegedly removed the film from the camera to prevent any footage from reaching the black market.
Midway through filming, Jean Harlow's husband of two months, producer Paul Bern, committed suicide during Labor Day. Although she was absent for 10 days following his death, scenes were shot around her and the movie was completed on schedule. The cinematographer on Lo schiaffo (1932), Harold Rosson became Harlow's third husband in September 1933. They were divorced in 1934.
The fourth most popular movie at the U.S. box office for 1932.
More than 20 years later, Lo schiaffo (1932) was remade by director John Ford as Mogambo (1953), based on the same 1928 play. This time it was set in Africa rather than Indochina, and shot on location in color, with Ava Gardner playing Jean Harlow's role and Grace Kelly in Mary Astor's part. Clark Gable returned to play the same character he portrayed 21 years earlier. Ford used African tribal music as the film's score.
This film was one of MGM's big earners in 1932 and was partially responsible for the studio being the only one to turn a profit during the depression-ravaged year. The year turned into one of the worst for Hollywood studios, with over a third of the extant studios closing their doors for good.