Hal Roach Studios approached Walter Winchell about filming an introduction to the film's trailer, calling it "The first full-length feature to incorporate the principles of the Bill of Rights as a motivating force of the story". Winchell declined.
This film was originally developed as a Laurel and Hardy vehicle, but was re-scripted after Stan Laurel, whose contract with Hal Roach had run out, declined to resign with the producer. Hardy's contract was still in force, and the team believed that if they waited until it expired, they could resign as a team and be in a stronger bargaining position. Ultimately that is what happened.