Half way into production as Bakshi was fired (before being re-hired). A different director stepped in and animated a train sequence in which Michael goes to visit his brother-in-law. He is on a subway and witness' a woman sleeping while two men begin to undress her. Michael just watches. As the woman wakes up, she screams "rape" toward Michael. This was in the original script, but was scrapped when Bakshi returned to the project, as he felt the scene was in bad-taste.
Partially into the films production, Bakshi got into a fight with one of the producers. This resulted in the producers seeking to fire Bakshi and hire Chuck Jones to finish directing the film. When Jones was approached, he declined.
Lead actor Joseph Kaufman was killed in a plane crash two weeks before the film opened.
Ralph Bakshi lists this as his favorite among his own films, while many critics claim it to be his best film. In fact, some have debated it as the greatest non-Disney animated film of all time.
The album cover for the soundtrack to George and Ira Gershwin's legendary opera, "Porgy and Bess" hangs on the wall of Michael's bedroom.