According to "Uprising at MGM," a Time Magazine article of Dec. 27, 1971, director Paul Magwood and producer Michael Laughlin placed a black-bordered ad in the Hollywood Reporter apologizing for the movie, claiming that MGM studio chief James T. Aubrey had severely re-cut Chandler (1971) and added previously deleted scenes, in Aubrey's judgment, to simplify the plot. Aubrey also allegedly changed the film score from 1940s-type music to something more contemporary. The producer and director also claimed that Magwood was denied entry to the editing room while Aubrey revised the film.
As of 2016, the Toro Place Cafe was still there and in business at 665 Monterey Salinas Highway in Salinas, California, USA.
The Western Exterminator company's offices where Chandler (Warren Oates) goes to find Angel Carter (Marianne McAndrew) are still there just off the 101 freeway, at 3333 West Temple Street in Los Angeles, California, USA - and they were still in business as of 2016.
Chandler is a homage to private eye author Raymond Chandler and his character Phillip Marlowe. Chandler's stories took place in Los Angeles. According to a story published in a May 1971 edition of 'The New York Times' newspaper, the filmmakers intended the picture to be both a tribute to writer Raymond Chandler and actor Humphrey Bogart the latter starred in 'The Big Sleep' (1946) based on Chandler's novel. Two characters in the movie are named ''Chandler'' and ''Bogardy'' though the latter's scenes were all deleted.