 Actor John Gilberts career was waning by the time he was hired by  poverty row studio Columbia for this picture. Gilberts lucrative  contract option had been dropped by the larger and richer MGM  studios because his voice had tested higher than suited his  masculine screen image, and Gilbert had begun to drink heavily. With  the support of his friend Lewis Milestone, Gilbert was hired by  Columbia for this picture, with the sole condition that he remain  sober throughout the production. Unfortunately, Gilbert by this time  was an alcoholic, and unable to stay away from drinking,  particularly among heavy