One of the film’s contestants, Lori Bowen, is credited onscreen as both Lori Bowen, and Lori Bowen Rice.
       End credits include the following acknowledgements: “Special Thanks to: Ben Weider, President L.F.B.B., Joe Weider, Jordan Ringel - Business Consultant; Bobby Zarem; Karen DeMilia; Harry Wald; Frank Regal; Andy Olsen; Ann Salus; Leonard Olsen; Franz Stampfl; Judith McHale; Les Legere; Cathy Frankel; Ilene Lim; Mark Peroff; John Karol; Scotty Callahan; Joan Mika-Meyer; Lisa Clark; Terri McDermott; Valerie Clark; Meg Powers; Bill Nisselson, Sound One, NY; Neil Ceppos, Sound One, NY; Peter Waggower, Sound One, NY; Jay Rubin, Sound One, NY; Geoff Smith, Sound One, NY; Marea Caldwell, Sound One, NY; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Francis & family; Gus and Brenda Stefanidis; Nicholas Holmes; Christopher Wright; Christina Wright; Bill Dobbins; Rudy Gaskins; Jimmy Maceda; Michael Berenbaum; Celestial Sounds; Miranda Alcott; HME Records; The Management Staff at: Caesars Palace; Hawthorne Recreation Centre; Hoover Dam; La Bare Club, San Antonio, Texas; Melbourne University; Richmond Football Club, Melbourne; San Antonio Conservatory of Dance; South Side Seafood Restaurant; Melbourne Gymnasium Equipment; Pan American World Airways; Haagen-Dazs; Shangri La Hotel, Santa Monica, CA; Hilton Hotel, Singapore; Hyatt Regency Hotel, Singapore.” Additional acknowledgements include: “Bar Belle Productions would like to thank the following companies for their support: Muscle and Fitness Magazine, Woodland Hills, CA, Joe Weider, Publisher; Solana Sunbeds, Los Angeles, CA, Ken Marshall; T.K. Gym Equipment, Mt. Vernon, NY, Tom Kinney, Owner; Natural Physique Center, New York, NY, Bob and Janet Fuchs, Owners; Pony Shoe Co., Secaucus, N.J., Chester Wheeler, Pat Susco; Eiferman’s Gym, Las Vegas, George Eiferman, Owner; Bath Beach Health Spas, Brooklyn & Staten Island, NY, John Barbero Jr., Owner; World Gym, Venice, CA, Joe Gold; U.S. Genetic Research, Redondo Beach, CA, Ben Garcia; Weight Room Co., Pocatello, Idaho, Jason Egbert; Backswing Corp., City of Industry, CA, Norman E. Goyer; Natural Source Products, Canoga Park, CA, Ray Raridon; The Silver Group, Leif Vasstrom; Mr. America Gym, Farmingdale, NY, Steve Michalik, Owner; Power House Gym, San Antonio, TX; Universal Supplements Corp., Linden, NJ, Mark Hyman; Muscle Dynamics, Ltd., Carson, CA, Pete Martinez; She Beast by Pillow, Venice, CA, Pillow; J&K Body Designers, New York, NY, Jim Windus, Owner; Natures Best Food Supplement Inc., Island Park, NY, George Statler Jr.; Olympus Gym, Warrington, PA, George Snyder, Maryanne Washco; Great Lakes Gym, Rochester, NY, Jack, David, & Todd Levine; Mid City Gym, NY, Tom Minichiello, Owner, Michael Rinsler.” End credits also state: “In memorium [sic]: Oscar State, 1909-1984, Ed Blaney, 1955-1985.”
       Pumping Iron II: The Women and its companion book, Pumping Iron II: The Unprecedented Woman, were based on the 1974 book Pumping Iron: The Art and Sport of Bodybuilding, and the 1977 documentary Pumping Iron (see entry). Both books were co-written by Charles Gaines and George Butler, and Butler directed both films.
       According to the 6 Dec 1983 HR, the documentary was set to film on 10 and 11 Dec 1983 at the World Women’s Bodybuilding Championship, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV. A summer 1984 release date was announced. Both HR and production notes in AMPAS library files reported the winner of the competition would receive $50,000, however, the onscreen announcer states a $25,000 prize would be awarded to the first place winner.
       The 9 Oct 1984 LAHExam announced that the companion book, Pumping Iron II: The Unprecedented Woman, would be published on 8 Nov 1984, with the film to be released the following year.
       According to production notes, the film utilized locations in Singapore, Australia, California, and Las Vegas, NV. Onscreen location credits include San Antonio, TX, and Newark, NJ.
       The 1 May 1985 Var reported that sales agents Affinity Enterprises would bring the picture to the 1985 Cannes Film Festival.
       An article in the 6 Jun 1985 LAHExam addressed the issue of validity in Butler’s documentary, calling the film a “con.” LAHExam revealed that the film’s World Cup for Women championship was created specifically for the picture, and that the sequences shot of the women preparing for the competition were shot six months after the event. Reportedly, Butler scripted and staged many of the scenes. Butler claims to have been inspired by Truman Capote’s 1966 novel, In Cold Blood, by blurring the lines of non-fiction. He asserted that no parts of the actual competition, or outcome, were staged, but does admit to shooting sequences six months after the event.