Contractual requirements were the reason why the name of Lionel Barrymore, who was definitely a secondary and supporting player, as far as the story was concerned, received first billing, and Jean Arthur, the leading lady, but in no way the principal participant, received second billing, while Chester Morris, around whom the entire story revolved, and who was in practically every scene of any consequence, was relegated to third position.
This movie was banned in Sweden by the Swedish Censorship Board, identity number 52.798. MGM came back with a shorter version, but that version too was banned.
In this movie, the gang hid out at Little Paree resort. Dillinger hid out at Little Bohemia resort in northern Wisconsin where there was a shoot out. In the movie the gang robbed a bank in Racine, WI. Dillinger's gang did rob a bank in Racine. In the movie, the villain met his end coming out of a theater in Madison, WI, In real life, Dillinger died the same way, but in Chicago.
The Purple Gang, mentioned in this film, was a predominantly Jewish organized crime outfit in Detroit, Michigan. It was the top criminal gang in the city throughout the 1920s until it self-destructed in 1932.
The film stars Chester Morris and George E. Stone , who later appeared in the Boston Blackie series as Boston Blackie and The Runt respectively . Not to mention Lionel Barrymore plays a slightly different doctor in the Dr Kildare films.