This movie was executive produced by Mel Brooks, who was responsible for hiring writer and director David Lynch, and obtaining permission to film in black-and-white. He deliberately left his name off of the credits, as he knew that people would get the wrong idea about the movie if they saw his name on the movie, given his fame as a satirist.
When Paramount Pictures studio executives were shown a cut of this movie, they wanted the opening and closing surrealist sequences to be cut. Executive producer Mel Brooks, according to producer Stuart Cornfeld, said to them: "We are involved in a business venture. We screened the film for you, to bring you up to date as to the status of that venture. Do not misconstrue this as our soliciting the input of raging primitives."
The Elephant Man make-up took seven to eight hours to apply each day, and two hours to remove. Sir John Hurt would arrive on the set at 5:00 a.m., and shoot from noon until 10:00 p.m. Because of the strain on the actor, he worked alternate days. Make-up artist Wally Schneiderman described it as "one of the hardest pictures I had to do. Everything was so precise. There were 14 pieces, not including the head, and they had to be applied exactly, every day for continuity. You couldn't afford to make a mistake."
Joseph "John" Merrick was a very intelligent and well-read gentleman. He loved to read and acted out scenes from pantomimes that he was taken to see. He often ended his correspondence to well wishers by quoting an Isaac Watts verse: "'Tis true my form is something odd, But blaming me is blaming God. Could I create myself anew, I would not fail in pleasing you. If I could reach from pole to pole, Or grasp the ocean with a span. I would be measured by the soul, The mind's the standard of the man." ~ Isaac Watts 1674-1748.
Frederick Treves: The great-nephew of Dr. Frederick Treves appeared in the opening scene as an Alderman trying to close down the freak show.
David Lynch: When Merrick returns to London, he is chased by an angry mob, and flees underground. The shot of the crowd descending the stairs in pursuit features Lynch in full costume.