The first film released by Columbia Pictures to include sound effects.
One of the US Navy ships shown in the background was the USS Langley, the Navy's first aircraft carrier.
Columbia production chief Harry Cohn was displeased with the rushes he was getting from veteran director Irwin Willat and wanted Frank Capra to replace him. The director agreed on the condition that all the scenes be re shot. He faced resentment from the cast including Jack Holt when he insisted that none of the actors wear make-up. "Submarine" became only the second Columbia film to have a Broadway premiere and went on to become the studio's highest-grossing film of all time. Cohn rewarded Capra with a $1500 per week salary.
The budget of $150,000 was about five times what Poverty Row Columbia pictures spent on an average picture.
At least one of the soundtrack discs (to the final reel) survive.