The part of J. Aubrey Piper was originally to be played by Lee Tracy, but his contract was terminated by MGM when, during the production in Mexico of Viva Villa! (1934), he got drunk, urinated off a balcony onto a passing patrol of Mexican soldiers (who almost shot him) and was deported from Mexico. Spencer Tracy got the part with the help of Frank Morgan, and afterwards signed a long-term contract with MGM.
Lois Wilson, who plays Clara Harling in this film, played Amy Fisher in the 1926 version.
The original play first opened on 5 February 1924 in New York.
Made twice before this, and once after. They were based on the 1924 Broadway play. The adaptations were as follows: The Show-Off (1926); Men Are Like That (1930); this version in 1934; The Show-Off (1947).
Clara Blandick played "Ma" Fisher in two versions of the film, this one and the previous one, Men Are Like That (1930).