In a foreword, the film quotes a statement from Applied Psychology by "Professors Hollingsworth and Hoffenberger of Columbia University" about the power of suggestion. According to RKO inter-department memos, Myrna Loy replaced Zita Johann during the production. Because of Johann's firing and the fact that the script was being written and rewritten during shooting, the film went over budget. British actress Peg Entwistle, who played the role of "Hazel Cousins," committed suicide on 18 Sep 1932 by throwing herself off the "H" of the large "Hollywoodland" sign, located in the Hollywood Hills near the top of Mount Lee, above Beachwood Canyon. Contemporary reviewers commented on the fact that only ten women, not thirteen, were featured in the story. A comparison between onscreen and trade paper cast lists and modern source cast lists suggests that a few characters were edited out of the final film following at least two test screenings. Although modern sources include Phyllis Fraser, Betty Furness and Louis Natheaux in the cast, these actors were not seen in the viewed print. FD news items note that "more than a dozen famous circus acts," including Eddie DeComa, Buster Bartell, Clayton Behee, Eddie Viera and Teddy Mangean were signed to appear in the film. Their participation in the final film has not been confirmed. Modern sources add that Teddy Mangean was a wire walker, and the rest were trapeze artists. FD also adds James Donlan, Mitchell Harris, Allen Pomeroy and Oscar Smith to the cast, but their participation in the final film has not been confirmed. According to modern sources, David Selznick delayed the release of the film in order to capitalize on the expected success of Irene Dunne in Universal's 1932 production Back Street. Modern sources add the following cast members: Audrey Scott and Aloha Porter (Equestriennes), Cliff Herbert (Circus act) and Lee Phelps (Conductor).