Murder on the Orient Express

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• Agatha Christie's story was inspired by the notorious kidnap and subsequent murder of famous aviator Charles A. Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh's baby, Charles Lindbergh Jr. in 1932. Charles A. Lindbergh died three months before the movie was released.
• Movie Goof (continuity error): As Poirot goes to leave the car after announcing his solution to the murder, Pierre is shown opening the salon door, and holding it open as Poirot pauses in the doorway, turns and watches as the various passengers make toasts to one another. Pierre is the first to step up and raise a toast with his glass of champagne. But when all the toasts have been made, Poirot is shown still standing in the doorway, then turning to exit, even as Pierre (actually just his arm is visible, but it couldn't have been anyone else) is seen in the exact same position, still holding open the door for Poirot.
• There are two musical references to Shirley Temple movies. In the restaurant where Bianchi and Poirot dine, a trio plays "On The Good Ship Lollipop." And later Poirot sings two lines from "Animal Crackers in my Soup"
• Albert Finney, who was then 38 years old, was the third choice for the much-older Poirot. The role was offered to Alec Guinness who was unavailable as well as Paul Scofield. Special make-up was created to give Finney the appearance of the 55-60 year old beloved but peculiar Belgian detective.