The original play, "Blind Mice" by Vera Caspary and Winifred Lenihan, premiered on Broadway at the Times Square Theatre on October 15th, 1930, and ran for a mere 14 performances. The opening night cast included Betty Breckenridge, Claiborne Foster, Hallie Manning, 'Olive Shea (II)', Gloria Shea (billed as Olive Shea) and Geraldine Wall. Unlike the film, the play has an all-female cast and takes place entirely within one room of the Rolfe House, the women's hostel where the film opens.