"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onFebruary 17, 1941 with Dorothy Lamour and Edward Arnold reprising their film roles.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 26, 1947 with Tyrone Power, Lloyd Nolan and Dorothy Lamour reprising their film roles.
Linda Darnell was the original female lead. Alice Faye was also considered by Darryl Zanuck before Dorothy Lamour was borrowed from Paramount in exchange for Don Ameche.
20th Century Fox held a preview screening of "Johnny Apollo" at the Victoria Theater in Ossining, New York on March 15, 1940 for 34 college newspaper editors as reported by the New York Times on March 16th. Ossining was chosen since prison exteriors for the film were shot at nearby Sing Sing.
Debut of Anthony Caruso.
In the scene with Johnny and his father talking in the bedroom, the photo over Johnny's shoulder of his mother, is a picture of Tyrone Power's mother.
Original title was "Dance with the Devil" and paper with that title was printed before the change.
Re-released in 1949 on a double feature program with Show Them No Mercy!.
Unbilled actor Tom Dugan plays a convict named Tom Dugan.