The 18 Feb 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World production chart listed a 30 Jan 1928 start date. The 1 Feb 1928 Var confirmed that principal photography had begun at Universal Pictures Studio lot in Universal City, near Hollywood, CA. An expected completion date of 20 Feb 1928 was cited in the 8 Feb 1928 Var. This production reportedly marked the last to shoot at Universal Studios before a ten-to-twelve week scheduled break in filming activity.
       The 16 Feb 1928 FD announced that Lonesome director Paul Fejos would utilize a new camera invention to aid in stabilization for tracking shots, which was reportedly small enough to fit into narrow spaces. Known as a “perambulator,” the apparatus was invented by Carl Laemmle, Jr., who received a production supervisor credit on the picture.
       Despite the apparent Coney Island, NY, locations, recreations of roller coasters and other carnival attractions were built on the Universal lot, according to a still image and caption in the 7 Apr 1928 Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World.
       According to the 10 Oct 1928 Var review, Universal had promoted the film as their first feature-length “talkie,” but, as noted in the Dec 1928 Motion Picture Magazine review, Lonesome contained only three talking sequences. Music and sound effects were synchronized throughout.
       Several reviews, including the 24 Jun 1928 FD, noted the simple plot line, but praised Paul Fejos’s “excellent” direction for making the “human” story a standout. On 3 Apr 1929, Var indicated that a sequel was being planned by Universal, which Fejos would also direct. However, this project never came to fruition.
       Various modern sources indicated that the original print negative for Lonesome was restored several times since its creation, most recently in 2012 by the Criterion Collection. Criterion released a digital restoration on “Blu-ray” DVD that featured an “uncompressed monaural soundtrack,” and had color graded the black and white film, including its brief color tinted sequences. Two additional films directed by Paul Fejos in 1929, The Last Performance and Broadway (see entries), were included among the DVD’s bonus features.