The film's plot is loosely based on Ingmar Bergman's 1955 Swedish comedy film Smiles of a Summer Night.

Woody Allen originally conceived the story as a serious, Chekhovian drama in the style of his film Interiors, before deciding to give it a comic treatment while keeping the seriousness as a subtext.

This was the first of thirteen films Woody Allen would make starring Mia Farrow, marking the beginning of their long collaboration.

Mia Farrow's role of Ariel Weymouth was originally written for Diane Keaton, but Keaton was unavailable because she was busy promoting Reds and preparing to shoot Shoot the Moon.

This was the first film in which Woody Allen appeared as part of an ensemble cast rather than as the lead character or not appearing at all.

Mia Farrow received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actress at the 3rd Golden Raspberry Awards, the only time a Woody Allen film has ever been nominated for a Razzie.

The film opened in 501 North American theaters on July 16, 1982, earning $2,514,478 in its opening weekend and grossing $9,077,269 in total.