There was a protest from some sectors that the film distorted the life of Thaddeus Stevens (who initiated the impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson). Additional filming occurred in October 1942, but it is not known if it was because of these protests. One line in the script (Stevens referring to Lincoln as "the old ape") was eliminated. Still, the film treats Johnson much more favorably than it does Stevens.
Van Heflin suffered from appendicitis during filming. The production filmed around him and his illness did not cause a delay in production.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on July 5, 1943 with Ruth Hussey and Lionel Barrymore reprising their film roles.
This film received its USA television premiere in Los Angeles Tuesday 26 February 1957 on KTTV (Channel 11), followed by Seattle 3 April 1957 on KING (Channel 5), by Norfolk VA 11 April 1957 on WTAR (Channel 3), by Portland OR 4 May 1957 on KGW (Channel 8), by Chicago 24 May 1957 on WBBM (Channel 2), by Tucson 18 June 1957 on KVOA (Channel 4) , by Philadelphia 10 August 1957 on WFIL (Channel 6), by Altoona PA 7 September 1957 on WFBG (Channel 10), by Minneapolis 13 November 1957 on KMGM (Channel 9) and by San Francisco 25 January 1958 on KGO (Channel 7); but it was not aired in New York City until 7 April 1959 on WCBS (Channel 2).
Although "William Wright" is in the cast list playing the Alderman, the actor was actually Will Wright, who often used "William Wright" for his name when uncredited.