Herbert Brenon reportedly loved to pick on and ridicule a 14-year-old Loretta Young in her first big role, but was civil with her whenever Lon Chaney was present on the set. Chaney noticed this and never left her side, even if his character wasn't needed for shooting that day. He directed her throughout the shoot and became her surrogate father on the project. "I shall be beholden to that sensitive, sweet man until I die," said Young of Chaney.
All extant prints are missing reel 4.
Copyright records indicate the movie had sound, but this has not been verified.
Originally named as one of three films nominated for "Title Writing" in the first year of the Academy's nominations, then exposed as a mere selection amongst over fifty films - the writers were nominated and not for any film title - the nominating was for their year's work, not their work on any particular film.This was supposedly Lon Chaney's favorite film role.
The play opened in New York City, New York, USA on 28 November 1923, and had 133 performances. The cast included Lionel Barrymore as Tito Beppi, Ian Keith as Luigi Ravelli and Irene Fenwick as Simonetta. The play itself was based on "Ridi, Pagliaccio" by Fausto Maria Martini.
The song "Laugh Clown Laugh", with music by Ted Fio Rito and lyrics by Sam Lewis and Joe Young, did much to make this movie a hit when it rose to #1 on the 1928 hit parade.