Travis W. Redfish's house at the movie's beginning was the same house used in the cult horror movie Massacre à la tronçonneuse (1974).
It's been mistakenly reported that screenplay was inspired by Alice Cooper's 1977 song "Road Rats" (a tune about roadies which he re-recorded for the film). Originally, Cooper's role was written for Mick Jagger.
One night on-set, baritones Don Cornelius and Ray Benson had an impromptu contest to determine whose voice was the deepest. Cornelius won.
The writers intentionally set-up the ending for a sequel, which would have featured Travis W. Redfish helping the aliens repair their ship so they could return home.
The filmmakers intended to show the spaceship at the movie's ending, but the cable holding the ship snapped during a test, and the expensive prop was destroyed.