The Old Dark House was withdrawn from circulation when the remake The Old Dark House by William Castle Productions was released. This film was considered to be lost until director Curtis Harrington discovered a printable negative.
According to modern sources, Melvyn Douglas replaced Russell Hopton for the role of Roger Penderel and Raymond Massey replaced Walter Byron for the role of Philip Waverton.
For legal reasons, this film has never been syndicated to television.
The father is played by Elspeth Dudgeon, a female.
The rights to this film reverted to novelist J.B. Priestley after 25 years. The film was then purchased by Raymond Rohauer, whose company still owns it, administered by Douris Corp.
This film was not included in the "Shock Theatre" package with the other Universal horror films.
This was Karloff's first credited starring role.
This was the first American film of Charles Laughton and Raymond Massey.