Madame Mandilip's special dolls are costumed as members of vicious street gangs known as the Apache (pronounced ah-PAHSH), who were involved in theft, prostitution, and the occasional murder in pre-World War I Paris. The dolls even perform the Apache dance popularized by the gangs, in which extremely close steps alternate with seemingly brutal punches, kicks, hair-pulling, spins, and throws; it was usually danced to the Valse des rayons (aka Valse chaloupée) composed by Jacques Offenbach. In the 1930s and 1940s, this dance was still performed by professional dancers and can be seen in several films and even cartoons of the period.
Malita is made up as reminiscent of two famous horror supporting characters. She's slightly hunchbacked as was Dr. Frankenstein's Fritz in Frankenstein (1931), and has a white streak in her hair similar to the title character in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). Further, her facial makeup gives her a rather deathly appearance not unlike a vampire, Tod Browning who directed Dracula (1931).
Last completed film of Henry B. Walthall. He died on June 17, 1936 while working on China Clipper (1936). In that film, the script was re-written to have his character die off-screen.
The main theme music was later used by its uncredited composer, Bronislau Kaper, as the basis for Greta Garbo's rumba, "Chica-Choca", in Two-Faced Woman (1941).
Francis McDonald (Detective) and Inez Palange (Concierge) are in studio records/casting call lists as cast members for their roles, but they did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie.