Actor Matthew Broderick's father, actor James Broderick died around the time that this film was being developed, made and released. Broderick's co-actor in this film, Jason Robards, knew his father and helped Matthew through his loss and grief.
The former professional baseball player and Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals' hitting and batting coach Charley Lau appears as himself. This was his only film appearance.
Final collaboration of then married couple actress Marsha Mason and writer Neil Simon. The two were divorced in 1983, the year that this movie was first released.
Some movie posters for this film featured a long preamble that read: "It's time to feel good again. Prices are double. Your love life's in trouble. The car won't start. Your boss has no heart. The door squeaks. The roof leaks. Your stereo just went mono. All you need is a little Max Dugan."
One of five films written by Neil Simon that featured his wife Marsha Mason. The movies include The Goodbye Girl (1977), Chapter Two (1979), The Cheap Detective (1978), Only When I Laugh (1981) and Max Dugan Returns (1983).