The red Pacific Electric interurban rail car (1058) seen in the film had in reality been rescued from the scrapper and was fitted with an internal-combustion engine, rubber tires and a steering mechanism. It appeared in several period Los Angeles-area films, but this movie shows it off to its best advantage. In a happy twist of fate, in 2001 it was refitted with its historic steel wheels and electric traction motors and controls to operate on a new rail line serving San Pedro, CA.
Part of a cycle of movies made during the mid-to-late 1970s about Tinseltown, Old Hollywood and its Golden Age including the Silent Film era. The pictures include Fedora (1978), Inserts (1975), Valentino (1977), Nickelodeon (1976), Silent Movie (1976), The Wild Party (1975), The Last Tycoon (1976), Hearts of the West (1975), The Day of the Locust (1975), The World's Greatest Lover (1977), Gable and Lombard (1976), Goodbye, Norma Jean (1976), Bud and Lou (1978), and W.C. Fields and Me (1976). Bogie (1980) and Mommie Dearest (1981) would soon follow as well.
When gossip columnist Rex Reed visited the set, he found leading lady Valerie Perrine morose in her trailer. "'Lenny' was a fun set. This one isn't. I wish I was back working again with Bobby (Fosse) and Dusty (Hoffman)."
Karen Black turned down the role of Carlotta Monti in order to star in the Alfred Hitchcock directed thriller Family Plot (1976). The part in the end was cast with Valerie Perrine.
Final theatrical feature film appearance of actress Carlotta Monti who played uncredited a woman next to John Barrymore (Jack Cassidy) at the wrap party.
Carlotta Monti: Uncredited, the film's source book authoress as a woman next to John Barrymore (Jack Cassidy) at the wrap party.