Based on the 1969 novel, "The Lolly Madonna War," by Sue Grafton, author of the popular "alphabet mysteries" featuring hard-boiled female Private Investigator Kinsey Millhone. The twelfth installment, "'L' is for Lawless," was published in the United States in 1995.
As originally submitted to the MPAA, the film was rated "R" and this was the version seen by most critics. About two minutes was cut from the film so it could be rated "PG" and receive a wider and more profitable general release. The scenes cut from the "R" version to create the "PG" version include a brief Season Hubley nude scene, and the "toning down" of the violence, especially the scene in which "Laban" kicks "Thrush" to death. Most critics saw the R version.
The film stars two Oscar winners: Rod Steiger and Jeff Bridges, and three nominees: Robert Ryan, Gary Busey, and Randy Quaid.
The "XXX" in the title refers to the signature on the faked postcard, reading "Lolly-Madonna, Kiss, kiss, kiss."
Lolly-Madonna XXX (1973) was shot on location in eastern Tennessee in the Appalachian Mountains near Knoxville.