While filming this picture, the spirit gum holding Bing Crosby's ears back failed; he insisted on completing the film with his ears out, and never used the gum again.
Superstar Marion Davies was the first choice for the role of Curly Flagg after the success of Au pays du rêve (1933) in which Davies had starred with Bing Crosby. MGM refused to lend Davies to Paramount for this film.
Included among the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the 500 movies nominated for the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.
The lead was originally offered to Gary Cooper, who turned it down. It was then given to Bing Crosby.