The scene of Danny photographing an execution is based an actual incident in which Chicago-based crime photographer Tom Howard (who was the grandfather of 'George Wendt') surreptitiously snapped the famous photo of convicted murderess Ruth Snyder's January 12, 1928 execution in the electric chair at Sing Sing for the New York Daily News.
The Dialogue Director, William Keighley, would go on to direct several James Cagney films including G-MEN, Each Dawn I Die, The Fighting 69th, The Bride Came C.O.D. and Torrid Zone.
When Pat expresses skepticism, Danny replies, "Vass you dere, Sharlie?" This was the catch phrase used by the comedian Jack Pearl, who used a comic German accent, in this situation.
James Cagney's fast rise to Hollywood stardom began just three years before "Picture Snatcher" came out in 1933. This was the 13th film he made since his first one, "Sinner's Holiday," in 1930. Even for that first film, he was paid handsomely. His salary was $500 per week for three weeks of shooting. His $1,500 for three weeks work on his very first film was more than most Americans earned in a year. The median individual income in 1930 was $1,368.
The Jewish tailor tells Danny that his new suit will make him "the best-dressed goniff in America." "Goniff" is the Yiddish word for "thief," as Cagney, a New Yorker who spoke Yiddish, would have known.