The producers generated positive ratings during test screenings by playing the Walt Disney Pictures logo at the beginning, making viewers think they were watching a Disney movie. Ironically, Disney purchased this film through their acquisition of Twentieth Century Fox, who replaced Warner Bros. as the distributor due to Fox acquiring Don Bluth Ireland Limited, the production company.
The first animated movie to win a Razzie Award. It received "Worst Original Song" for "Marry the Mole" sung by Carol Channing.
This is one of two movies based on Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales to feature Jodi Benson as the title character. The first was A Pequena Sereia (1989).
Originally, Betty White was cast as Ms. Fieldmouse, but Don Bluth was not satisfied with her performance, and cast Carol Channing instead, without informing White of the casting change. But Bluth was unaware that White and Channing were old friends, and after recording her part, Channing phoned White to say she had just voiced a fieldmouse for an animated feature. 'So did I,' White replied. 'What a strange coincidence.' Suddenly Bluth was besieged by angry calls from White's agent.
This movie was originally scheduled to be distributed by MGM in the United States and J&M Entertainment overseas. By the time it was completed, both companies dropped the arrangement, due to concerns about the bankruptcy of Bluth's studio. Warner Brothers subsequently bought the distribution rights in March 1993.