The writers in the deli, according to screenwriter Walter Bernstein, were a composite of himself, Abraham Polonsky, and Arnold Manoff. All 3 writers were blacklisted by Hollywood as a result of the HUAC hearings, and all 3 co-wrote the segments for the 50's TV series "You Are There" (1953).
This is the last on-screen film project for Zero Mostel.
The scene where Hecky Brown commits suicide is based on the real suicide of blacklisted actor Philip Loeb. This information is revealed the documentary Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg (2009).