New York Times critic Vincent Canby wrote this movie a positive review, but pointed out that it was an uncredited adaptation of Ferenc Molnár's play "The Guardsman", and that Dame Maggie Smith had headlined a revival of it as recently as 1977: "Even if the copyright has run out, it seems that the decent, and historically correct, thing to do would be to acknowledge the film's sources."
Lily in Love (1984) was the first screen appearance and feature-film debut for Aaron Lustig as the chauffeur.
Principal photography was planned to begin in October 1983 later in Budapest, Hungary. The picture went through several title changes including the Hungarian title, Jatszani Kell, its English translation, Lily In Love, Fitz and Lily, Players, and Playing For Keeps, according to a review.
In 1977 Maggie Smith had starred in a triumphant Toronto stage revival of The Chocolate Soldier, the musical adaptation of the original play.
According Maggie Smith's biographer, she referred to the film as "the ghoulash" and admitted to not understanding the Hungarian director's direction. She also called her co-star "Christopher Bummer."