The original award-winning play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA at the Cort Theatre, 138 W. 48th St. on 27 November 1935 and had 669 performances. The opening cast included Jerome Cowan and Allyn Joslyn as Benson and Law, and 'Everett Sloane' as Rosetti. There were 2 revivals, in 1943 (15 performances) and 1976 (10 performances).
Included among the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the 500 movies nominated for the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.
Friday asks Benson and Law if they realize they were making more money than the President of the United States. Earlier it was stated they were making $1,500 per week, or $78,000 per year. At the time of this picture the President's yearly salary was $75,000.
The screenwriters played by James Cagney and Pat O'Brien are based on Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The producer played by Ralph Bellamy is based on Darryl F. Zanuck.