Produced in 1982, the film was shelved by MGM after poor reception at advance screenings. It's had rare airings on European television, and later aired on American TV. Its most recent airing was January 2015, as part of Turner Classic Movies' TCM Underground (2006) series.
The film contains many references, one being the name of Lauren Tom's character, Eloy. Her name's an alternate spelling of the blond-haired, child-like people who inhabit the earth's surface in the film, The Time Machine (1960); 'Eloi'.
The movie had a special screening at the BAM Cinematek in Brooklyn, NY on 13 April 2004. Bill Murray, who was instrumental in getting the film to play there, introduced it.
A Warner Brothers spokesman stated (2003, and again in February 2006) the film cannot be released on DVD due to 'unspecified legal difficulties'. In 2007, another chat was conducted and Warner claimed it was "on the middle burner - not the front, but not the back." Both Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd have both agreed to take part in DVD special features, should the film be finally released.
John Belushi was supposed to appear in the film, but he died seven weeks before shooting began. His wife, Judith Belushi-Pisano, does have a bit part.