His role as the landlord was the final role for Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, ending a 45 year career.
Disney budgeted the film along the level of a made for TV movie. The studio realized that they couldn't release the film theatrically without raising the actors' salaries, so it was ultimately released straight-to-video after appearing in film festivals.
The opening titles are done completely in sand animation.
Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, who plays Clifton Collins Jr.'s landlord, is Collins' real-life grandfather.