In 1936, celebrated Russian composer Igor Stravinsky sued Warner Bros. over the 'misuse' of his themes from the ballet "The Firebird." In 1938, a French court awarded him one franc in damages, instead of the 300,000 francs he was claiming.
The original play by Lajos Zilahy opened in Budapest, Hungary, on 25 February 1932. Jeffrey Dell's English adaptation entitled "The Firebird" opened in New York City, New York, USA, on 21 November 1932, had 42 performances. It was poorly received in the United States, but was a hit in London.
The famous dog actor Asta, also known as "Skippy," stars here in an uncredited role as the The Pointer family dog "Rex" who briefly socializes with the matinee idol Herman Brandt's dachshund. Asta was most famously the star of five of the six William Powell/Myrna Loy The Thin Man detective film series.
The Firebird (1934) conceals the actual murderer from the audience for such an extended period that the motivation for the homicide never becomes completely real.
The Firebird (1934) takes its title from the Firebird Suite by the celebrated Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, which is heard occasionally during the film.