The title is based on the 1941 novel "What Makes Sammy Run?" by Budd Schulberg about the rise of Sammy Glick from the Lower East Side of New York City. The original Broadway production opened at the 54th Street Theater on February 27, 1964, ran for 540 performances, closing on June 12, 1965 and starred Steve Lawrence and Robert Alda.
Oscar's line "Felix, being in love with you means ALWAYS having to say you're sorry" references the tag line to the movie "Love Story" (Love means never having to say 'you're sorry').