The Informer won four Academy Awards, for Victor McLaglen’s leading performance, John Ford’s direction, Dudley Nichol’s writing, and Max Steiner’s score.

The German influence – expressionist sets and moody lighting – came about through Ford’s having been highly impressed with F. W. Murnau’s Sunrise (1927).

Apparently John Ford kept McLaglen on his toes by getting him drunk before filming a scene or telling him he could have the following day off and then calling him in, knowing McLaglen would have a hangover.  All of which, presumably, was designed to contribute to the beleaguered appearance of the character.