We Who Are About to Die

This film is based on a novel written by David Lamson. In 1933, Lamsom was tried and found guilty of murdering his wife. He was sentenced to death, and imprisoned in San Quentin, pending execution. Lamsom always protested his innocence, and believed his wife died accidentally, not at the hand of another person. He was freed after an appeal and two re-trials. He started writing the novel while he was in prison and completed it after his release.

As the crooks are speeding away from the holdup, one shot is reversed as evident by the backwards "Air Express Tavern" sign on the building behind them.