According to production notes in AMPAS library files, filmmaker Blake Edwards viewed the 1977 French production, L’Homme Qui Aimait les Femmes, and was convinced it would make an excellent American comedy. Collaborating with his son, Geoffrey, Edwards completed the screenplay in Oct 1982. Actor Burt Reynolds, a close friend of Edwards and producer Tony Adams, was considered for the title role, but was unavailable because of a prior commitment. The 27 Sep 1982 HR announced actor Warren Beatty as Edwards’ choice for the role, but he was replaced by Reynolds, who became available when his other project went on hiatus. Actor Dustin Hoffman was also a candidate, as evidenced by the 7 Mar 1983 New York. Angered over losing the part, Hoffman became verbally abusive during a meeting with Edwards and accused him of stealing an idea the actor had suggested for the screenplay. While Bert Fields, Hoffman’s attorney, denied allegations of abusive language, Tony Adams described the actor as “a spoiled brat,” and dismissed Hoffman’s contributions as unnecessary.
       The 18 Jan 1983 Var reported that Adams was producing a celebrity fashion show on 11 Feb 1983 in Los Angeles, CA, to be chaired by Edwards’ wife and Reynolds’ costar, Julie Andrews. Proceeds benefited the “Operation California” Southeast Asia assistance program. Prizes included a small role in The Man Who Loved Women. A news item in the 24 Jan 1983 DV reported that Edwards was headquartered at the Twentieth Century-Fox studio, even though the film was to be released by Columbia Pictures Corp. The 24 Mar 1983 DV identified Ellen Bauer, who made her screen debut in the role of “Svetlana,” as the Los Angeles Ballet Company’s prima ballerina.
       As stated in the 4 Feb 1983 HR, principal photography began 28 Feb 1983 in Houston, TX, followed by additional photography in Los Angeles. Production notes cite the Houston Astrodome as a filming location.
       An advertisement in the 23 Feb 1983 HR heralded a contest to be held the following day, in which Edwards would select “the woman with the most beautiful legs in the world” for a featured role in the picture. Contestants were required to appear bare-legged at the Burbank Studios in Burbank, CA, at ten o’clock in the morning. All ages were welcomed.
       The filming of a scene at a Santa Monica, CA, gasoline station, featuring Reynolds and costar Marilu Henner, drew a large crowd of spectators, according to the 9 Mar 1983 Var. Reportedly, some members of the crowd assumed the station was involved in a price war with its competitors. The completion of principal photography on 20 May 1983 was announced in the 2 Jun 1983 DV.
       A news item in the 24 Sep 1983 LAHExam reported that Columbia Pictures had to recall 1,000 advertising posters because they depicted Reynolds holding a rose, supposedly a symbol of monogamous love. Following the recall, new posters were issued featuring Reynolds posing with a daisy, considered a more “capricious” flower.
       The 19 Oct 1983 Var announced that singer Rita Coolidge would perform the theme song, “Little Boys.” Two days later, on 21 Oct 1983, HR noted that singer Helen Reddy’s version would be used in the film.
       According to the 18 Nov 1983 LAT, Columbia executives judged the final scene to be “bleak,” and ordered a new ending for the $12 million production, one month prior to its release. Tony Adams asserted that Edwards conceived the revision on his own without any coercion by studio executives. The new ending was completed in two days, with a running time of two to three minutes. Although Reynolds did not appear in the scene, several of his costars were featured, including Andrews, Henner, Cynthia Sikes, and Kim Basinger. Photography began 17 Nov 1983. Weeks later, the 14 Dec 1983 LAT reported that the new ending had been discarded in favor of the original, based on audience reaction to a 3 Dec 1983 test screening. While the new ending, in which Reynolds’ character was “laid to rest after one too many amorous adventures,” was well received during a series of late Nov 1983 test screenings, the majority of audience members preferred the original. The 12 Dec 1983 DV estimated the cost of the additional scene at $300,000.
       As part of the film’s promotional campaign, Columbia advertised a telephone number at which callers would hear a special prerecorded message from Reynolds on 17 Dec 1983, as reported in the 20 Nov 1983 LAHExam. Each call would cost fifty cents, and the actor would be on hand to speak to a few random callers. On 21 Dec 1983, Var stated that an upcoming thirty-minute special, Blake Edwards: The Man Who Loves Comedy, would air on the Public Broadcasting System (PBS), produced by John Simmons and Igor Oganesoff. An invitational preview screening of The Man Who Loved Women was held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater at AMPAS headquarters, hosted by Edwards and Columbia Pictures. No date was specified. The 9 Dec 1983 Miami Herald announced the film’s gala premiere in Miami, FL, on 11 Dec 1983. Attending the red-carpet event were Edwards, cast members Reynolds, Andrews, Henner, Sikes, and Jennifer Edwards, along with actors Candice Bergen, Charles Durning, Ernest Borgnine, Dom DeLuise, and Robert Urich, and singers David Bowie and Julio Iglesias. Tickets for the screening and a champagne reception sold for $35. A limited number of tickets, which entitled the holder to a cocktail party and dinner at Miami’s Four Ambassadors Hotel, were priced at $150. The event was preceded by a “street party,” featuring Mummers and a Dixieland band.
       Reviews were lukewarm to negative. While the 16 Dec 1983 NYT described it as a somewhat enjoyable comedy with excellent performances by Reynolds, Andrews, and Basinger, the 14 Dec 1983 Var called it “truly woeful.”
      End credits conclude with the following statements: "Filmed at The Malibu Museum, Malibu, California"; "Some of the artwork in this film was provided by the Feingarten Gallery and the Janus Gallery"; "The producers wish to thank the cities of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, New York and Houston, and the Texas Film Commission for their assistance in the making of this film."