When the idea was first pitched to Ellen Burstyn, the film was supposed to be more of a thriller, like The Exorcist (1973). Burstyn was not impressed with that approach, so when she heard the approach offered by writer Lewis John Carlino, she was impressed and this film is the result.
''Edna Mae'', the name of the character Ellen Burstyn plays in the film, is a variation of Burstyn's real name, which is ''Edna Rae Gillooly''.
Ellen Burstyn calls this her favorite of all her films.