The Delightful Rogue was copyrighted twice, both times on 22 Sep 1929. Copyright records show that submitted information was the same for both entries, except for the claimants, which were corporate variations for RKO.
       The title was announced in the 9 Jun 1929 Film Daily as one of two upcoming features from RKO Productions, Inc., starring Rod La Rocque. A. Leslie Pearce was listed as director, although it was later revealed in the 19 Jun 1929 Var that he was in charge of dialogue, with Lynn Shores as “pictorial” director. Henry Hobart was credited as supervisor. An item in the 22 Jun 1929 Hollywood Filmograph explained that RKO was assigning two directors to each picture during the company’s transition to sound. According to the 19 Jun 1929 Var, rehearsals were scheduled to begin on 24 Jun 1929, followed by the start of principal photography on 2 Jul 1929.
       The film, based on screenwriter Wallace Smith’s short story, “A Woman Decides,” was La Rocque’s first all-talking feature. Also joining the cast were Hugh Crumplin in his first speaking role (6 Jul 1929 Hollywood Filmograph,) and an uncredited appearance by African American musician Lionel Hampton as the drummer in an otherwise Caucasian jazz group, possibly marking the first screen depiction of an interracial band. Additional crewmembers included cameraman Nick Musuraca (15 Jul 1929 Film Daily) and writer Randolph Bartlett, who was shown viewing the picture on a Moviola in the Aug 1929 International Photographer.
       On 13 Jul 1929, Hollywood Filmograph reported that Chief Shunatona and several of his fellow tribesmen visited RKO Studios during production to induct La Rocque as an honorary member of the Pawnee Nation. Shunatona and his compatriots were in Los Angeles, CA, that week for an engagement with the United States Indian Band. La Rocque was only the sixth white person to receive this tribute, along with former president Calvin Coolidge and Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City. The actor’s Pawnee name was said to be Chief Guiding Star. The completion of filming was announced in the 26 Jul 1929 Film Mercury.
       The Delightful Rogue opened on 22 Sep 1929 to favorable reviews. The 26 Oct 1929 issues of Motion Picture News and Harrison’s Reports listed the film’s running length as 6,532 feet and 6,684 feet, respectively. The silent version was 5,774 feet in length, according to the latter publication.
       Despite positive critical notices, the 28 Dec 1929 Motion Picture News included the film among the “worst flops of the year” in Baltimore, MD, where it earned approximately $750 during its opening week. Sharing the bill was The Very Idea (1929, see entry), which fared just as badly.