The play opened in New York City, New York, USA at the Avon Theater on 18 September 1929 and ran for 557 performances. William Ricciardi originated his role in the play, and Louis Jean Heydt was also in the cast.
Universal paid $125,000 for the rights to the play, the highest amount for a literary property ever paid at the time (tied with RKO's purchase of the rights to Cimarron (1931)).
Natalie Moorhead (Lilli) and Joseph W. Girard (Officer) are in studio records for their roles, but never appear. Lilli is often on the phone but since her voice is never heard, she is omitted from the cast list.