The steps of the courthouse used for Birdie's welcome to Sweet Apple have appeared in countless movies over the decades. A major part of Universal's backlot, it was the location of Scout's and Jem's several visits in "To Kill a Mockingbird," as well as the famous courthouse clock in "Back to the Future". The town square it anchors was so popular that it was used by hundreds of film and television shows, including many that were not produced by Universal.
Director George Sidney was so taken with the talent of Ann-Margret that when the film was edited he went to Columbia's executives and proposed the opening and closing bumpers that would showcase her. They refused to pay for any additional filming, so Sidney rented the studio and crew at his own expense. He then asked the composer and lyricist to come up with a title song. He filmed Ann-Margret's skirt-flipping, hair-tossing rendition of that song six months after principal photography was completed -- at a cost of $60,000, which was repaid to Sidney after the movie. And Ann-Margret became a sensation.
Ironically, Bobby Rydell, who plays the timid Hugo Peabody, was himself a national teen idol before and after the film's production. In fact, in contrast to the original stage musical where Michael J. Pollard played the role, the part of Hugo was expanded significantly in the film to accommodate his teen celebrity.
The song that made Dick Van Dyke's career, "Put on a Happy Face", was unsuccessful in early stage previews, and was almost cut from the production. The creative team found a different spot for it in the musical, and it played beautifully.
Despite portraying the mother of Dick Van Dyke's character in the film, Maureen Stapleton is just six months older than Van Dyke.