The real Francois-Eugene Vidocq, 1775 to 1857, was born and died in Paris. He was an adventurer and a brash youth who spent time in frequent jail sentences, mostly for petty thefts. He served admirably in the army and fought in early battles of the Revolutionary Wars in 1792. He was hired by the government in 1809 for his experience and knowledge of crime, and helped create the security police (police de surete) in France. In 1832 he was fired for allegedly planning a theft, and he set up a private police agency. That became the model for modern private detective firms. In later life, Vidocq published two volumes of his memoirs. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, he was friends with several leading authors of the day - Hugo, Balzac, Dumas and others.
"The Hedda Hopper Show - This Is Hollywood" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 23, 1946 with Akim Tamiroff reprising his film role.
This film was first telecast by the Dumont Television Network in St. Louis, Buffalo, Baltimore and Boston Friday 14 January 1949 on KSD (Channel 5). on WBEN (Channel 4), on WAAM (Channel 13) and on WBZ (Channel 4); it first aired in Los Angeles Tuesday 15 February 1949 on KNBH (Channel 4), in New York City Wednesday 4 May 1949 on WPIX (Channel 11), in Washington DC Sunday 8 May 1949 on WNBW (Channel 4), in Fort Worth Sunday 7 August 1949 on WBAP (Channel 5), in Atlanta Sunday 18 September 1949 on WSB (Channel 8), in Cincinnati Wednesday 16 November 1949 on WKRC (Channel 11), and in Chicago Sunday 19 February 1950 on WNBQ (Channel 5).
The British film critics Ian and Elisabeth Cameron, in their 1969 book "Broads", describe at some length Signe Hasso's death scene in this film. However, Ms. Hasso has no death scene, nor does she play (as they also claim) the wife of Gene Lockhart. The Camerons have confused her with the character played by Carole Landis.