The 11 Feb 1929 FD announced that First National Pictures, Inc. had purchased film rights to William Dudley Pelley’s 1925 novel Drag: a Comedy. One month later, the 13 Mar 1929 FD reported that Drag would be the next starring picture for Richard Bethelmess.
       Gene Towne was hired to write comedic dialogue for the film, as reported in the 15 Mar 1929 FD and the 11 May 1929 Motion Picture News.
       The 19 Mar 1929 FD stated that Barthelmess had hand-selected Alice Day to be his co-star. According to a studio production chart in the 27 April 1929 ^^Exhibitors Herald-World, filming began on 20 March 1929, and a 5 April 1929 report noted that principal photography was underway at the First National Studios in Burbank, CA.
       According to the 23 Apr 1929 FD, Richard Barthelmess would travel to New York City upon finishing production. One week later, the 30 Apr 1929 edition noted that Barthelmess had arrived in New York the previous day, indicating the completion of principal photography in late Apr 1929.
       The 28 Apr 1929 FD named Oscar Apfel as a cast member.
       The picture opened at Warners’ Theatre in New York City on 20 Jun 1929, as stated in the 26 Jun 1929 Var review, which listed Edward Schroeder as film editor, and John J. Hughes as the art director.
       Reviews were mixed. Var praised Frank Lloyd’s direction and characterizations, and deemed Drag “human, real, persistently delightful.” Bradley King’s “exceptional” competence with the adaptation was highlighted as “an example of what can be done with dialogue.” The “particularly fine” performances by every actor was also noted. However, the 30 Jun 1929 FD review complained that the dialogue slowed the action. Both Var and FD reviewed the “all-talker” version of Drag. FD indicated that a silent version was also released.
       Frank Lloyd received Academy Award “Best Directing” nominations in 1930 for three of his pictures released in 1929 including Drag, The Divine Lady, and Weary River (see entries). He won the Oscar for The Divine Lady.