Robert Altman hated the script so much, he tossed it out and actors were coached on lines as they shot scenes.
A single 70mm print of the film was struck for its premiere in the Houston Astrodome to be shown in front of over 23,000 people. By all accounts, it was a disaster with terrible sound problems.
The original title of the film was "Brewster McCloud's Amazing, Sexy Flying Machine".
The movie premiere took place inside the Astrodome. Harris County Judge Roy Hofheinz, who controlled the Dome at that time, promoted the movie by trying to sell tickets for cars to drive in and watch the movie. Failing this, VIPs watched the movie from folding chairs on the field.
First of seven films that Shelley Duvall made with director Robert Altman. Besides this film, they are Popeye (1980), Nashville (1975), Três Mulheres (1977), Renegados Até a Última Rajada (1974), Onde os Homens São Homens (1971), and Oeste Selvagem (1976).