The scheduled 28 Jul 1919 start of principal photography was announced three days earlier in Wid’s Daily. As noted in the 27 Jun 1919, the film marked actress Constance Binney’s first starring role for Realart Pictures Corp. The scenario was based on Helen R. Martin’s 1914 novel, Barnabetta, and its 1916 stage adaptation, Erstwhile Susan by Marian De Forest.
       The 2 Aug 1919 and 9 Aug 1919 issues of Motion Picture News confirmed that principal photography began on schedule at Estee Studios in New York City. The first day of shooting also happened to be Constance Binney’s birthday, which the cast and crew celebrated by filling her dressing room with flowers. In addition, director John S. Robertson presented the actress with a patent leather lunch case. Binney was currently appearing on Broadway in 39 East, but took a four-week hiatus, beginning on 2 Aug 1919, to complete the picture. The close of production was announced in the 12 Sep 1919 Wid’s Daily. It was later revealed in the Oct 1919 Picture-Play that filming had been scheduled to start earlier in the summer, but the run of 39 East had been extended.
       Erstwhile Susan made its New York City debut on 3 Jan 1920 at Loew’s New York Theatre. A Los Angeles, CA, opening at Miller’s Theatre occurred that same week. Reviews were generally positive, although the Feb 1920 Motion Picture Classic noted that the film focused on Binney’s character, “Barnabetta Dreary,” rather than the title character, played by Mary Alden. A review in the 12 Dec 1919 Var highlighted the picture’s unflattering portrayal of Pennsylvania Dutch men as being abusive toward women.
       According to an article in the Jul 1920 Photoplay, the picture had recently been screened at the Odeon Theatre on Clinton Street in New York City, where a pair of “lecturers” created their own dialogue and narrative for a predominantly Jewish immigrant audience.
       The scenario was adapted by Jane Ward as a short story for the Nov 1919 Shadowland.