Three generations of Van Dykes appear in this film. Dick Van Dyke plays Dr. Jonathan Maxwell. His son, Barry Van Dyke, plays Mike Bryant. Barry's son, Wes, plays student Zack.
Kimberly Quinn also appeared with Dick and Barry Van Dyke in an episode of Diagnosis Murder and the Diagnosis Murder TV movie Without Warning.
The Santa Suzana Cantina was also used in "Mystery Woman: Wild West Mystery."
The screenplay writer(s) borrowed two character names from "The Kennel Murder Case" by S.S. Van Dine (Scribner's, 1933), also a 1933 movie with William Powell. The first murder victim was named Archer Coe, and his niece was Hilda Lake.