Production notes in AMPAS library files state that while travelling along U.S. Route 66 from Los Angeles, CA in 1985, writer-director Percy Adlon and his wife, Eleonore Adlon, wanted to visit the town of Bagdad, CA, after seeing the name on a map. However, they were informed the town was deserted. The Adlons were inspired by “the idea of a place not existing any more, but still being on the map.” According to a May 1988 GQ article, Adlon wanted actress Whoopi Goldberg to play the character “Brenda,” but believed the project was never presented to Goldberg.
       Referring to the working title, Out of Rosenheim, the 6 May 1987 Var production chart stated principal photography began Mar 1987, with locations in the Mojave Desert, and Munich, Germany. The 31 Jan 1991 LAT noted that filming took place at the Sidewinder Café in Newberry Springs, CA. A 16 May 1988 LAT article reported the budget was $2 million.
       An item in the 16 Apr 1987 HR noted that previous working titles for the film were Exit Bagdad and Lost and Found.
       As mentioned in the 2 Dec 1987 Var review, the film was screened on 26 Nov 1987 at the Rio Film Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A 2 Mar 1988 Var brief reported that the domestic opening was scheduled for 8 Apr 1988 in New York City. However, Bagdad Cafe opened in limited release on 22 Apr 1988, as noted in the NYT review of the same date. Three weeks later, the 16 May 1988 LAT reported that the film’s release expanded to four additional cities, and had made approximately $200,000 at the box-office.
       After the picture’s theatrical release, the 23 Feb 1989 NYT reported that television producer Mort Lachman felt the story presented a “natural television comedy series,” and purchased the rights. Lachman and producer Zev Braun received a 13-episode order for the series, Bagdad Cafe, from CBS Television Network network, and would serve as co-executive producers. According to the 15 Jul 1989 LAT, the series, under the working title, Bagdad Gas and Oil, would star actresses Whoopi Goldberg and Jean Stapleton, and premiere during the 1989-1990 television season. Retitled Bagdad Cafe, the series premiered on 30 Mar 1990 and ran through 27 Jul 1991 on CBS.
       The song, “Calling You,” written by Bob Telson, was nominated for an Academy Award for Music (Original Song).
       Bagdad Cafe was Percy Adlon’s first English-language production.
       End credits state: “Thank You’s: Steph, Kim, Kelly and the Crew of The Sidewinder Cafe, Newberry Springs, California; Bill Davis and Rich Stock; John Wells and Jerry Kaplan; Randy Wanner, Robert Woltman, Carl Mou and all the helpful people of Newberry Springs, California; Audrey and the Staff of The Barstow Station Inn; Elizabeth Mosely at the Screen Actor’s Guild; Cherie Myers and the Staff of Solar One in Daggett, CA.”