Trivia

The producers wanted Gene Hackman , who was shooting Lucky Lady (1975) down in Mexico at the time, for the lead role of "Mother" Tucker. Tom Mankiewicz flew down to Mexico and met with Hackman, who had already read the script. Hackman explained that he was overworked, and turned down the role. Hackman recommended a wonderful comic he had seen on television for the role, Bill Cosby. Producers Mankiewicz and Yates met with Cosby after he'd read the script, and offered him the part. See more