Principal photography was completed in the autumn of 1930, as indicated by an article in the 22 November 1930 Exhibitors Herald-World. The short subject, filmed in the two-strip Technicolor process, featured “blackout” comedy sketches, a new innovation at the time, and utilized the “tabloid” techniques associated with vaudeville productions. Marty Brooks was credited as director.
       According to the 1995 book, A Song in the Dark: The Birth of the Musical Film by Richard Barrios, the ballet sequence staged by Albertina Rasch had originally been intended for a 1930 musical revue, The March of Time, which Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer abandoned during production. Completed sequences from the feature were later incorporated in various short subjects. Additional cast members included Connie La Mont (6 December 1930 [Los Angeles, CA] Evening Post-Record) and Catherine Moylan (1931 Motion Picture Almanac). The picture also marked the first featured role for actress Mary Carlisle (July 1938 Screenland).
       The Devil’s Cabaret was released on 13 December 1930, followed by openings during the week of 15 February 1931 at the Elsinore Theatre in Salem, OR, and at the Fox Liberty Theatre in Great Falls, MT. A notice on the main title reads, "Copyright MCMXXX," although the film was officially registered on 3 March 1931.
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