The film was produced by Walter Wanger and directed by Frank Borzage . Leo Carrillo portrays Paul 's best friend , Cesare . The film has a '' Titanic '' - like climax , when the ocean liner SS '' Princess Irene '' ( named after Jean Arthur 's character ) strikes an iceberg on its maiden voyage . The '' Hindenburg '' is mentioned in dialogue , but not shown . The Vails are set to travel via the airship to Paris to testify in a court trial before changing plans . The Hindenburg disaster happened two months after the release of the film
Hindenburg disaster
Hindenburg disaster
History Is Made at Night (1937 film)