Comedy stars Gene Wilder and Steve Martin were considered for the two lead male roles by producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown but in the end the parts were cast with comic actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Vic:
Ramona and I haven't eaten all day. We could eat a baby's butt through a park bench.
As Vic and Ramona pull away in Earl's car near the end of the film (at the 1 hour 26 minute mark), a set light can be seen reflected in the rear side window.
The movie's original cut had a very dark ending with Earl getting killed, but the studio re-edited the film with a happy ending with Earl leaving home and joining Vic and Ramona on their adventures.
English, German
$8,500,000 (estimated)
$6,481,386 20 December 1981
$29,916,207
$29,916,207