Columbia Pictures originally intended this film as a direct sequel to Dracula (1931), also starring Bela Lugosi, but when Universal threatened a plagiarism suit, Columbia went ahead and made the film anyway but changed the names of the characters to avoid any connection with "Dracula". It also held back its release for two months so as not to compete with Lon Chaney Jr.'s Son of Dracula (1943).
The action of the prologue takes place beginning 15 October 1918, while the balance of the film takes place in September 1940 (according to the Regent Hall concert program shown).
The original idea for this film was created by German born director Kurt Neumann. However, it was directed by prolific "B" film specialist Lew Landers, who would have another half-dozen films in release that same year.
According to "The Films of Bela Lugosi", Columbia grossed close to $500,000 from this film on an investment of $75,000.