Humphrey Bogart read the script and, seeing the similarities between this and The Maltese Falcon, wanted to play Jeff. However, Warner Bros. didn't buy the material and RKO produced this movie.
After Humphrey Bogart refused the lead it was offered to John Garfield and then Dick Powell, both of whom turned it down. Robert Mitchum was fourth choice.
French visa # 7991.
Re-released in France in 1967 as 'Pendez-moi haut et court'.
This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1991.
Two lines from this film ("Do you wanna talk business or do you wanna play house" and "I'm tired of gettin' pushed around") were sampled in an early house music track entitled "Tired of Getting Pushed Around." It was the only song released by 2 Men, a Drum Machine and a Trumpet, which was comprised of 2 of the 3 members of the band Fine Young Cannibals (who took their name from the film All the Fine Young Cannibals).