Michael Whalen is probably best remembered for his starring role in two Shirley Temple classics, Poor Little Rich Girl (1936) and Wee Willie Winkie (1937). While New York Sleeps is the second of three "Roving Reporters" movies in which he portrays intrepid Manhattan newshound Barney Callahan, assisted by trusty photographer Chick Chandler. The other films in this series are Time Out For Murder (1938) and Inside Story (1939). While New York Sleeps boasts a strong supporting cast featuring beautiful Jean Rogers, William Demarest and Sidney Blackmer.