The 1928 short story, “The Broadway Musketeers” by Jay Gelzer, was purchased by First National Pictures, Inc., which planned to make it the talking-picture debut of actress Alice White, according to the 3 Jan 1929 and 6 Jan 1929 editions of Film Daily. The title was later revised to Broadway Baby (23 Jan 1929 Var) before it was officially changed to Broadway Babies (30 Jan 1929 Film Daily). Principal photography began on 11 Feb 1929 at First National Studios in Burbank, CA, as stated in the 9 Mar 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World.
       A news item in the 28 Feb 1929 LAT revealed that co-star Sally Eilers arrived at the studio every morning at 8:00 AM followed by four hours of rehearsals, six hours of shooting silent sequences, and six hours of talking sequences. The 3 Feb 1929 Film Daily credited Charles Murray as the leading man, while the majority of sources credited Charles Delaney. The 6 Mar 1929 Var noted that property man Sam Deige made his acting debut as an assistant stage manager. The 13 Mar 1929 LAT erroneously credited Alan Crosland as director and claimed that actor William Bakewell had been cast in a juvenile role. Actress Marion Byron was billed on screen as Miriam Byron.
       According to the 2 Mar 1929 Exhibitors Herald-World, Alice White was scheduled to perform her songs from the picture on a national radio broadcast, which featured such stars as Al Jolson, Colleen Moore, Conrad Nagel, and Jack Mulhall, all of whom were under contract to either Warner Bros. Pictures or its subsidiary, First National Pictures, Inc. As filming drew to a close, the [Pasadena, CA] Pasadena Post reported that White received two offers to join stage shows over the previous week: one in which she starred in a live prologue for a West Coast theater chain, and another in which she played the lead in local musical production. White declined the first offer due to her contract with First National, but considered accepting the second, despite her lack of stage experience. An item in the 16 Mar 1929 LAT indicated the completion of principal photography. That same day, Exhibitors Herald-World reported that the Jantzen Company, a swimwear manufacturer, had arranged a cross-promotion with First National to feature Alice White in print advertising and window displays at more than 10,000 retailers.
       One month prior to the film’s release, the 1 Jun 1929 Harrison’s Reports noted that it was a substitution for the scheduled feature, On the Air, based on a story by Paul D. Augsberg.
       Broadway Babies was released on 30 Jun 1929, preceded by a late-night premiere on 14 Jun 1929 at the Hillstreet Theatre in Los Angeles, CA. The event included personal appearances by the principal cast members, director Mervyn LeRoy, and songwriters Al Bryan, George W. Meyer, Harry Akst, and Grant Clarke. Gross receipts of $17,500 were reported in the 29 Jun 1929 Motion Picture News. A New York City opening followed on 21 Jun 1929 at the Central Theatre, earning $10,223.25, as noted in the 13 Jul 1929 issue. The 11 Sep 1929 Var estimated the picture’s New York City earnings for Aug 1929 at $34,500. A silent version was released on 28 Jul 1929.
       On 27 Jul 1929, Hollywood Filmograph reported that the picture’s success earned White a new contract with Warner Bros.-First National, which included a substantial pay increase and a luxury automobile. Various sources have stated in the ensuing years that the actress had been earning only $150 per week up to that point, and she had threatened to quit if was not paid a salary commensurate with her star status.
       The Dec 1929 Screenland recognized "Wishing and Waiting for Love" as the hit song from the film.