MGM originally announced Clark Gable for the lead and Mae Clarke for the role of "Shirley", but neither was in the movie. A contemporary news item also listed Christian Rub and Henry Wadsworth as cast members, but these actors were also not in the movie.
The bridge seen in the opening credits and later when Bertha and Benny are on the roof of their building is the Williamsburg Bridge that connects the Lower East Side of Manhattan with the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn across the East River in New York City.
When Benny is talking to Monk on the street after returning home, in a news rack by Benny's head is the 14 April 1934 edition of The Saturday Evening Post. The cover art is "Woman in Black" by Penrhyn Stanlaws.
(1927). Stage Play: Four Walls. Written by Dana Burnet and George Abbott. Directed by George Abbott. John Golden Theatre: 19 Sep 1927- Jan 1928 (closing date unknown/144 performances). Cast: Suzanne Browne (as "Lizzie"), William Cox (as "Marty"), Lionel Dante (as "Paul") [Broadway debut], Peter Du Conge (as "Second Musician"), Bella Finkle (as "Bertha"), Jacob Frank (as "Mendel"), Jeanne Greene (as "Frieda"), Averell Harris (as "The Monk"), Steven Jones (as "Fourth Musician"), Edward Keane (as "Sullivan"), Eloise Keeler (as "Sally"), James C. Lane (as "Tom"), Clara Langsner (as "Mrs. Horowitz"), Jay Lindsey (as "Looey"), Gertrude Manfred (as "Gertie"), Sanford Meisner (as "Sid"), George Nicols (as "Third Musician"), Olga Nova (as "Stella"), William Pawley (as "Lefty"), Edwin Philips (as "Sammy"), Evelyn Platt (as "Rose"), William Smith (as "First Musician"), Lee Strasberg (as "Nick"), Charles Wagenheim (as "Herman"), Josephine Wehn (as "Mrs. Clampman"), Paul Muni [credited as Muni Wisenfrend] (as "Benny Horowitz"), George Wright Jr. (as "Jake"). Produced by John Golden. Note: Filmed by MGM as Four Walls (1928) and again by MGM as Straight Is the Way (1934).
Debut of actress Lillian Castle.