"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie onFebruary 12, 1940 with Charles Laughton reprising his film role.
Made in London just before England's entrance into the Second World War, this film was co-produced by a refugee from Hitler - the great German producer of "Metropolis" and many other classic UFA films - 'Eric Pommer'. It was directed by an American from Hollywood, Tim Whelan, and features another American, the great harmonica virtuoso, 'Larry Adler', who was to return to live in exile in England after the war when he was blacklisted in the U.S. Adler went on write and play the score for the classic English comedy Genevieve. The role of the tall busker Gentry is played by Tyrone Guthrie who would be knighted and would one day become Artistic Director of Canada's Stratford Festival and founder of the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The film is edited by Robert Hamer who would go on to direct the Ealing Studio comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets.
Michael Wilding according to Lewis Gilbert's memoirs was cast in the film but later replaced.
The premiere of this film, as "St. Martin's Lane'" was broadcast from the Carlton Theatre, Haymarket, with Elsa Lanchester (Mrs. Charles Laughton) as the on-air reporter describing the event.