The character of "Rocky Kramer," played by Gerald Mohr, is based on Louis Lepke, founder of Murder, Incorporated, a crime ring of killers who committed murders by contract. Lepke and Cantor grew up together in the same neighborhood.
Larry Parks, who had played Al Jolson in The Jolson Story (1946) and Jolson Sings Again (1949), was signed from Columbia by Warner Brothers to reprise his role of Jolson in this movie. However he was blacklisted for being a communist in late 1951, and shooting commenced on January 1952, so Warner Brothers replaced the character of Jolson with that of Jimmy Durante.
Jimmy Durante was originally considered to play himself in a cameo appearance, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
Eddie Cantor: as an audience member in the last scene watching Eddie Cantor, portrayed by Keefe Brasselle, singing.