The 6 May 1964 Var announced the picture as an official entry to the Critics’ Section at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. An article in the 20 Apr 1964 DV revealed that filmmakers Philip Kaufman and Benjamin Manaster completed the production for $75,000 using available locations in Chicago, IL. The screenplay was based on an unidentified story by Martin Buber, which concerned the “legend of the return of the Prophet Elijah.” The 29 Apr 1964 Var noted that, while the production was based in Chicago, editing was performed by Adolfas Mekas, a prominent experimental filmmaker from New York City. The 1 Nov 1964 NYT and 8 Sep 1965 Var identified Irving White as an executive producer. As stated in the 6 May 1964 Var, neither White nor co-executive producer Zev Braun had any previous experience with motion pictures.
       Goldstein won the New Critic Prize at Cannes and garnered considerable interest from mostly foreign distributors, as stated in the 20 May 1964 Var. On 17 Aug 1964, DV reported that Clem Perry of Altura Films International intended to open the picture simultaneously in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, CA, and San Francisco, CA, within the next several weeks. Nine months later, the 5 May 1965 Var announced the 7 May 1965 New York City premiere at the Fifth Avenue Cinema. Lead actress Ellen Madison was expected to attend. A 4 Jun 1965 opening followed in Chicago, where an enthusiastic public response was reported in the 8 Jun 1965 DV. Reviews were mixed: While the 6 May 1964 Var described the film as “riotously funny, in a macabre sort of way,” the 8 May 1965 NYT found it to be derivative of other experimental productions and lamented its failed attempts at humor.
       Eighteen months later, the 18 Oct 1967 Var reported that the picture was scheduled for a 20 Oct 1967 all-night underground film program at the New Cinema Club in London, England.
       1964 Cannes Film Festival running time: 115 minutes.