[1] The film's sets were designed by the art directors Otto Erdmann and Hans Sohnle.

Because the film had a Jewish producer, it had some production issues due to the takeover of the Nazi Party.

The Black Whale is the German version of Marcel Pagnol's masterpiece Fanny, the second part of his Marseilles trilogy.

Many years ago, Peter Petersen's son Martin had abandoned his pregnant girlfriend Fanny to chase adventures on the sea.

Peter Petersen had then married Fanny with his friend Pannies, who adopted and raised the baby as his own.