Sheb Wooley recorded and popularised the song "The Purple People Eater", which the movie was based on, in 1958. it was based on a joke that a friend of Wooley's had told him.
Thora Birch's feature film debut.
Final theatrical film of Sheb Wooley before his retirement in 1999 and his death in 2003 due to leukaemia.
Shelley Winters and writer/director Linda Shayne stayed friends long after making this film. Shayne spoke at Winters' 2006 memorial service at Paramount Studios.
Many cast members appeared at the 'Save the Rose Theatre' campaign's public PR day in May 1989. The theme tune was played on UK radio in April and May 1989, and briefly became a regular quip for the supporters.