The Sparta, NJ attorney Frank Patti, from Fort Lee had a speaking role with the baker (Steve Roberts). "Did you see that? They're dropping like flies".
The story was suggested by a Daily News column written by the late Mike McAlary, "The Return of a Hero." It related the story of a long retired renowned NYPD detective, Frank Malerba, who at the age of 76 thwarted a robbery and shot the assailant in the leg. "This will always be my city," the old detective recounted.
In 1999, Burt Reynolds signed to star in and direct a big-budget remake of The Bulls' Night Out. Danny Aiello, Lou Gossett Jr. and Roy Scheider were also attached. The project fell through when the financing collapsed.
Shot on location in and around Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The bar featured in the film was named The Park Place Tavern, although it is referred to as "Ruby's Bar." It was located on the corner of Driggs and Russell Street. It later became a liquor store. Other scenes were filmed on Box Street, McGuinness Boulevard, McCarren Park, under the Broadway elevated train, Nassau Street and South 11th Street in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Story was loosely based on the late NY Daily News columnist, Mike McAlary's column about retired NYPD detective, Frank Malerba. In 1989, at the age of 77, Malerba shot and wounded a young robber in Isham Park in Manhattan. Writer Lindley Farley was inspired by Malerba's quotes, which were reminiscent of a 1930's James Cagney film. "It was interesting to hear that type of throwback dialogue in 1980's New York. Even though Malerba was something of an anachronism, he was still familiar with the language of street violence. That was the basis for the story."