Although Joan Crawford is listed above the title and Walter Huston in a frame after the title, the comprehensive cast list later is listed in order of appearance, with Huston listed ninth and Crawford last.
The characters of "Sadie Thompson" and the preacher were spoofed several times by Sonny and Cher on their TV series "The Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour" (1971-1974) in a recurring skit called "The Vamps."
The play. "Rain," opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 7 November 1922 and closed in June 1923 after 256 performances. The opening night cast included Jeanne Eagels as Sadie Thompson. A revival in 1924 (also with Eagels) ran for 648 performances. There was also another revival in 1935 with Tallulah Bankhead as Sadie.
This was Joan Crawford's least favorite film because of its poor box-office returns.