No publication of the short story, "The Lost Game," by John B. Hymer and Samuel Shipman has been found. It is, however, listed onscreen as the source of the movie. Their play, "Crime," based on the story, opened in New York City, New York, USA on 22 February 1927 and closed in August 1927 after 186 performances. It was produced by A.H. Woods and the opening night cast (with their character names) included Chester Morris (Rocky), James Rennie (Eugene), Douglass Montgomery (Tommy Brown), Sylvia Sidney (Annabelle Porter), Kay Johnson (Dorothy Palmer), Barbara Barondess and Jack La Rue.
Several cast members listed in contemporary Hollywood Reporter news items did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were: Tom Kennedy, Bradley Page, Margaret Armstrong, Stanley Blystone, Monte Montague and Lloyd Whitlock. Cecil Kellaway is identified mostly from his voice, since his head is obscure in both of his scenes.