Although recording artists Cher and Sonny Bono (popularly known as Sonny & Cher) had previously appeared as themselves in the 1965 beach party film Wild on the Beach (1965, see entry), the 3 Mar 1966 DV announced that the duo had finalized a deal with Steve Broidy’s Motion Pictures International (MPI) for their first starring vehicle, Bang Bang. According to a 13 Apr 1966 DV article, they also received interest from Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s (MGM) Joe Pasternak, but both studios demanded control of the album rights, which would conflict with the singers’ existing contracts with Atlantic and Imperial Records. The deal represented Broidy’s first independent production after leaving his presidential post at Allied Artists, and the 11 May 1966 DV alleged that he financed the entire picture on his own. The 3 Aug 1966 Var revealed that the budget grew from $350,000 to $900,000 over the course of development.
       Although Var stated that David H. Vowell, Marvin Worth, and Bono co-wrote the script, this was not corroborated by other contemporary sources. Tony Barrett and Nicholas Hyams receive final screenplay and story credit.
       Shortly before the start of principal photography, the 24 Mar 1966 DV listed a title change to Good Times. Shooting was underway on 28 Mar 1966 at the Africa, U.S.A. theme park in Redwood Shores, CA, but was briefly stalled three days later when DV reported that Bono had injured his back. While the 13 Apr 1966 DV stated that some filming took place at the couple’s home in the Encino area of Los Angeles, CA, the remainder of shooting was completed at the Paramount Pictures studios. The 6 May 1966 edition indicated that the production schedule had been extended and was likely to wrap the following day. Five days later, Broidy told DV that he intended to open the picture that summer even though production still necessitated ten days of pick-up shots. According to the 20 Apr 1966 DV, Bono had already completed composition of the seven songs to be featured on the soundtrack.
       Release was significantly stalled, however, as the 8 Jul 1966 and 1 Aug 1966 DV reported updates about Broidy’s ongoing pursuit of a distribution deal with ABC-Paramount Records, which considered leasing the property to MGM. A few months later, the 28 Oct 1966 issue announced that Columbia Pictures had acquired the film for worldwide exhibition.
       According to items in the 24 Aug 1966 Var and 7 Mar 1967 and 13 Apr 1967 DV, Sonny & Cher engaged in several public appearances to promote the film, including a seven-week music tour of Europe and an 11 Apr 1967 world premiere event at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, TX. Regular screenings began there the following day, and the duo continued their tour of six other Texas cities. The 19 Apr 1967 Var stated that they were also scheduled to attend screenings at twenty-five of the fifty theaters debuting the picture in Chicago, IL, two days later. The Los Angeles, CA, engagement began 24 May 1967, and 2 Aug 1967 in New York City.
       Good Times was not a box-office success, and director William Friedkin told the 25 Jul 1967 DV that he attributed much of its failure to the lengthy delay in its release.
       A 28 Mar 1966 DV item stated that playwright William Inge was interested in making a cameo appearance, but his participation could not be confirmed. The “Film Castings” column in the 19 Apr 1966 DV also included the following actors among the supporting cast: Debra Adasko, Rita Damico, Rene Jarmon, Teri Jiminez, Anita Mann, Marianna Pelora, Diane Stuart, Gina Trikonis, Mario Gahia, Joann Miya, Judy Von Wormer, Tony Barberio, Fred Curt, Bill Dvorak, Don Rehg, Ian Bruce, Tom Cahill, and Carlton Johnson.