The photograph of Captain Gannon's wife behind his desk is the same photograph as Colonel Potter's wife in M*A*S*H (1972). Both parts were played by Harry Morgan.

The police commissioner has no authority to relieve Joe Friday of his duties. The commissioner is a civilian appointed by the mayor and serves usually on a part-time basis. Commissioners can only advise the police and serve as the voice of the people. They can only act as a group. The Captain had the authority, but he would have had to explain his actions to his superiors. The ultimate decision would be handled by a trial board which reports directly to the Chief of Police.

Towards the end of the film, when Streebeck arrests Muzz, he raps him his rights. In the closing credits there is an extended version of this, with Friday and Streebeck rapping about rights, as well as about the PAGAN ritual they witnessed.

UK cinema and video versions were cut by 14 secs by the BBFC to remove shots of nunchaku during a fight scene, as these were strictly outlawed in the UK at the time. The cuts were restored for the 2001 Columbia release.

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Full Metal Jacket/Spaceballs/Roxanne/Benji the Hunted (1987)