Trivia

When Nuggin and Powdah are in a tavern, the bartender immerses a hot iron into their beer mugs. This was most likely part of making a popular sailor's drink at the time called a "flip". It was made with beer, rum, sugar or molasses (and possibly a spice like cinnamon or cloves). The hot poker caramelizes the sugar. The technique was also just a quick way to warm beer during the winter.

Silent-screen star John Bowers, who had not worked in films since the advent of sound crippled his career in 1931, heard that old friend Henry Hathaway was shooting this film on Catalina Island. He rented a 16-foot sloop and sailed there, hoping to land a part. Unfortunately, he did not, and he left the island but did not return; his drowned body washed up on the shore at Santa Monica. His apparent suicide was the inspiration for the character of Norman Maine in the three versions of "A Star Is Born."

An opening prologue states that the "story was inspired by a trial for mass murder on the high seas [which] a century ago made legal and maritime history." According to the press book, the trial is recorded in the Philadelphia Public Ledger and is based on an incident that occurred on 4/19/1841 when the William Brown struck an iceberg and capsized. After crew and passengers got into the two available lifeboats, leaving thirty-one aboard the ship to drown, "seaman Alexander William Holmes assumed command and dumped excess [persons] overboard." A news item in "The Hollywood Reporter" noted that Jo Swerling was to write "epilog scenes" for this film. Swerling's contribution to the final film has not been determined. Another "Reporter" noted that Frances Farmer was considered for the lead role. Additional news items reveal that George Raft terminated his contract with Paramount in Nov 1936 due to a dispute over the roles he was given, including his role in this film. Although production was scheduled to begin in late October, it was postponed due to the threat of a strike by the Pacific Coast Maritime workers, according to the "Reporter", and by Paramount's search for another co-star. The newspaper noted that Lloyd Nolan was first considered, but later Anthony Quinn was selected to replace Raft. At this time, however, Raft and Paramount amended their rift, Raft's contract was renewed and he accepted the role of Powdah. Production was scheduled to resume on 11/21/36. Press releases claimed the following about the production: Paramount constructed a special set with a huge tank of water and the quarterdeck of a ship for shipboard scenes. For further authenticity, the studio chartered sailing ships for ocean shots and dock scenes, and the square-rigger Star of Finland was used as the William Brown . Grant Leenhouts hired sailors who knew how to work a square-rigger to appear aboard ship. Some scenes were filmed off Santa Catalina Island, CA. According to modern sources, the film was originally intended to rival MGM's s Les révoltés du Bounty (1935) and to be released as a road-show; however, the plans were scaled down, as was the film. Although an actress portraying Queen Victoria is credited in the CBCS, modern sources note that the scene of Queen Victoria's court was one of many deleted from the film before its general release in theaters. The film was nominated for the following Academy Awards: Best Assistant Director, Hal Walker; Best Interior Decorations, Hans Dreier and Roland Anderson; and Music (Best Score), Paramount Studio Music Dept., Boris Morros, head score by W. Franke Harling and Milan Roder. Also based on a similar story is the British film Pour que les autres vivent (1957) known in the US as "Abandon Ship!" , directed by Richard Sale and starring Tyrone Power, Mai Zetterling and Lloyd Nolan.

Loosely based on the real sinking of the American ship William Brown in 1841, after hitting an iceberg 250 miles off Newfoundland.

The legal case United States vs. Holmes (in 1842) was the trial of the crewman who forced others off the lifeboat. Alexander Holmes was the only crew-member to be found in Philadelphia. A grand jury refused to return a murder indictment, but he was tried and convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to six months in jail and fined $20. The trial enforced the dictum that sailors have a duty to their passengers that is above even their own lives.