Director Barry Levinson wanted someone with a Grace Kelly appeal to play the role of Dubbie the Blonde. Model Carolyn Murphy was cast, although she was dubbed "The Blonde-Haired Gene Tierney" by Elle Magazine. She auditioned for the role after her agent encouraged her to do so and, unlike many other models turned actress, was praised for her work.
According to 'Barry Levinson', this film came out of a derogatory comment about Dustin Hoffman's character in Sphere - Die Macht aus dem All (1998). The critic's comment got Levinson thinking about his experiences growing up in Baltimore, and Liberty Heights was born.
Part of a series of films based Barry Levinson's family and friends from Baltimore. The other films are: American Diner (1982), Tin Men - Zwei haarsträubende Rivalen (1987) and Avalon (1990).
In his wistful concluding voice-over, Ben quotes a relative who said, "If I knew things would no longer be, I would've tried to remember better." The line is almost a direct quotation from Sam Krichinsky near the end of Barry Levinson's previous Baltimore-set period piece, Avalon.
In the scene where the lads are teeing off at the 'golf course', they are actually standing on the front lawn of the Mansion House in Baltimore's Druid Hill Park. The Mansion houses the current administrative offices of the Baltimore Zoo. There is no golf course.
Barry Levinson: [Ralph Tabakin] (Phil, Spotlight Man at the Gaiety) has appeared in every Levinson picture from American Diner (1982) to Liberty Heights (1999).