The original play opened in New York on 9 August 1922 at the 39th Street Theatre, 119 W. 39th St. and had 101 performances. Walter James originated his movie role as Calaban in the play. In the 1933 revival that had 38 performances, DeWolf Hopper Sr. played Dr. Ziska.
Generally considered to be one of the first films in the "old dark house" genre, and the first with a mad doctor/scientist who has odd minions doing his bidding.