Begun in 1938 by Jacques de Baroncelli (with Jean Tissier), the production shut down because of financial difficulties. Maurice Tourneur took over and the shooting resumed on 23rd March 1940 (minus Jean Tissier). The scenes shot in 1938 were incorporated in the final print.
Charles Dullin, who plays Corbaccio, had directed a previous stage version of the play with his famous theater troupe.
First film appearance of Charles Denner, then aged 14.