[7] The movie was inspired by the success of Bert Bailey's stage adaptation of Steele Rudd's Dad and Dave stories, On Our Selection and Philip Lytton's play The Waybacks.

According to Everyones "tt was hot —as only it can be in Adelaide —and on a Sabbath that Beau Smith with a little debit balance against him in his theatrical ventures —drove out to Paradise with a team of actors —there to commence the first of the “Hayseeds” series which was finally to lure him from the stage to the screen.

[7] While shooting the bushfire scene off the side of a hill at Campbelltown, the fire got out of control and momentarily trapped the actors.

According to contemporary press reports, "they came out of that fire black as coal heavers, almost blind with smoke, and singed badly.

Many of the scenes are familiar, but they have been connected by Mr. Beaumont Smith in a telling manner, and he has woven an interesting story around the incidents of backblocks life.

"[16] The Sydney Morning Herald said the film contained "rugged types of character are pressed into service which need no introduction to those who have read or seen On Our Selection, The Waybacks and While the Billy Boils.

[17] In July 1917 another writer from The Bulletin stated the film "is having as successful a run in the country as any other all-Australian production, though the exaggeration is silently resented.

As a typical Hayseed Duggan wouldn’t earn tuppence, while old Dad would figure better as a retired American multimillionaire.

"[9] The following year the same paper wrote "Beau made more ambitious productions after that; five, six and seven reelers; but I might not be far out in guessing that none of them returned any- where near an equal percentage of profit on the original investment.