Garson Kanin wrote that he insisted that everyone working on the film call John Barrymore "Mr. Barrymore" in a attempt to perk up the actor's sagging self-image, including people who had known Barrymore for years. Several members of the crew quit the film instead of following Kanin's edict.
This film was released in 1939, but it depicts the year 1923. When the children at school recite the Pledge of Allegiance, they first hold their right hands over their hearts, then extend their arms straight out toward the flag in salute. This is a modified Bellamy salute, which originally did not include the hand over heart gesture. Due to its similarity to the salute used by Italian fascists and German Nazis, the Bellamy salute became increasingly controversial. Also, campaigns against anti-interventionists like Charles Lindbergh pointed out the similarity of the salutes. Gradually, it fell out of favor. The students in the film definitely make the gestures appropriate to 1939. In 1923, they may not have placed hands over hearts. The words recited in the film are the version of the pledge used from 1892-1923. In 1923, the phrase "of the United States " was added. In 1924, "of America" was added. And in 1954, the word "nation" was capitalized and "under God" was added.
Garson Kanin's debut as a film director.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 3, 1940 with John Barrymore and Virginia Weidler reprising their film roles.
This film almost broke even at the box office, resulting in a loss to RKO of $10,000 ($183,000 in 2019) according to studio records.