On March 10 , 1933 , an earthquake occurred during production , and a Paramount newsreel featured what was presented as footage of cast members on the set reacting as it struck . A documentary featurette on W. C. Fields accompanying the film 's DVD release , however , reveals that Fields and director Sutherland faked the footage for the publicity . The actual earthquake , centered off nearby Long Beach , caused widespread major damage to unreinforced masonry and about 120 consequent fatalities . A 1976 episode of the television series In Search Of ... that dealt with earthquakes showed the footage
actual earthquake
1933 Long Beach earthquake
International House (1933 film)