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American screenwriter Francis Martin began working in 2-reel comedies in the late 1920s as an actor, director and gag man. Joining the Paramount writing staff in 1932, Martin was assigned to such laugh-spinners as International House (1933), We're Not Dressing (1934) and Mississippi (1935). He was given an opportunity to direct a feature film in 1933; unfortunately, Tillie and Gus turned out to be one of W.C. Fields' least satisfying vehicles, and Martin was quickly sent back to the scripting department. Remaining at Paramount throughout the 1930s, Francis Martin collaborated on several Bing Crosby musicals, as well as the annual "Big Broadcast" entries; his final credit was Columbia's Tillie the Toiler (1941).