Based upon the Jack De Saulles murder case. The name 'De Saulles' was changed to 'La Salle' but the film's opening credits admit to being based on the story.
Producer William Fox wanted Miriam Cooper to play in the film, as she so closely resembled the woman she was to portray. According to Cooper, people on the street would mistake her for Bianca De Saulles. Cooper fell ill when the film was to go into production, bowed out, and was replaced by another actress, who proved to be so terrible that Fox laid down the law with Cooper, telling her to make the film no matter how sick or how well she felt. It also helped that the director was Raoul Walsh, her husband.