This film's earliest documented telecasts took place in New York City Sunday 5 October 1947 on WNBT (Channel 4) and in Washington DC Sunday 22 August 1948 on WNBW (Channel 4). On Sunday 24 April 1949, it was simultaneously telecast in New York City, on WCBS (Channel 2), and in Philadelphia on WCAU (Channel 10), and in Baltimore on WMAR (Channel 2), as part of the Film Theatre of the Air series.
The film is an adaptation of a play by Dodie Smith. Her most popular novels were "I Capture the Castle" (1948) and "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" (1956).
The film is based on the successful play "Dear Octopus" (1938) by Dodie Smith. Its original run lasted for 373 performances, from September 1938 to September 1939. It had also experienced a revival in 1940.
The "octopus" of the title is a reference to the family featured in the play. Its various members are unable to escape its tentacles.
Virginia Vernon's debut.