An earlier version of the film, starring Creighton Hale, was made in 1919 by ACME/ Pathe Exchange, directed by Leonce Perret.

[4] It was based on one of the most famous of the "old dark house" stage plays: Bayard Veiller's The Thirteenth Chair which debuted on Broadway on November 20, 1916.

[4][5] The play had previously been adapted as a silent film by Léonce Peret as The Thirteenth Chair In late May, 1929, MGM hired Margaret Wycherly to reprise her stage role as La Grange.

[6] Bela Lugosi took a break from performing the play Dracula from June 23 to July 21 to appear in Tod Browning's The Thirteenth Chair as the film's inspector.

"[14] [15] Among the positive reviews, The Education Screen stated the film was "tense and gripping murder mystery, skillfully picturized, well acted" and was "above average".

[18] Motion Picture News stated the film had "nothing outstanding to recommend it beyond capable direction of Tod Browning"[19] Weekly Film Review declared that it "just misses being good entertainment"[20] Harrison's Reports declared that the story was thing, and the action was slow-paced and the inter-woven romance was not interested and that only the seance and the disclosure of the real murderer held any attention.