James Stewart recalled that he accepted the role of the grandfather because it was the only "family-friendly" script he had been offered. After the movie received poor reviews and flopped at the box office, he decided to semi-retire from acting.
The film was intended to launch a new "Lassie" TV show on ABC, but that never got picked up following this film's failure.
Except for three notes, the bridge of the song "I Can't Say Goodbye" is identical to that of "Nobody's Problems For Me," one of the three songs excised from the theatrical release of Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971). The Sherman Brothers believed their earlier composition would never be heard again, but it was when Disney reinstated it it in 1996.
Released in the UK as part of a double bill with the theatrical version of The Incredible Hulk TV pilot.