Technical advisor Paul Smith worked at the Caterpillar plant, and author William Hazlett Upson was a former service man at the plant.
Caterpillar provided four diesel RD8 model tractors for use in the film, and part of the action was filmed inside Caterpillar's East Peoria (IL) plant.
The name "Earthworm Tractors" is a sly reference to the Caterpillar company, whose name was copyrighted in 1911 and was prominent by the 1930s.
The tractor Botts sees when looking at the magazine advertisement is actually a 1935/6 Caterpillar RD8. The Caterpillar branding has been removed and replaced with "Earthworm", of course. H.J. Russell, when dictating a letter to his secretary, mentions the "Earthworm RD8".
Sarah Edwards, while listed in preview credits and shown in at least one still as Mrs. Blair, was cut from final release prints. Others listed in studio records but not in the print are Cliff Saum (Freight Agent/Bell Boy), Jack Richardson (Clerk), Sam Flint (Hotel Manager), Victoria Vinton (Secretary), Phil Ryley (Aquarium Porter), and Evelyn Birwill.
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