Johnny Be Good marked the directorial debut of Bud Smith, an established editor and second unit director. According to production notes in AMPAS library files, Smith cast Anthony Michael Hall as “Johnny Walker” after he was introduced to the actor by filmmaker Robert Downey, Sr. and his son, Robert Downey, Jr., who were working with Hall on another screenplay. The film was the second theatrical collaboration of Hall and the younger Downey, who co-starred in Weird Science (1985, see entry), and remained friends following their time as cast members on the eleventh season of Saturday Night Live (11 Oct 1975—).
       Principal photography began on 16 Mar 1987 in the San Antonio, TX, area, as reported in the 7 Apr 1987 HR. Locations included the wealthy residential neighborhoods of Monte Vista and Olmos Park; Alamo Heights High School; St. Mary’s University; University of the Incarnate Word; Institute of Texan Cultures; Olmos Pharmacy; Stinson Municipal Airport; San Antonio International Airport; and Bildarth Estate in Comfort, TX, which doubled as the fictional “Olde Tex University.” To prepare for his role of as the nation’s most sought-after high school football star, Hall gained twenty-two pounds through a strict training regimen under trainer Thomas Anthony Patti.
       An 18 Mar 1988 HR article stated that filming concluded in mid-May 1987.
       The 10 Jul 1987 DV announced that Orion Pictures intended to rush postproduction in order to meet a 2 Oct 1987 release date, but producer Adam Fields and Orion marketing executive Charles O. Glenn insisted the film needed sufficient time to be marketed and screened for test audiences. Although production was completed as Johnny Be Good, Orion considered changing the title to Quarterback Sneak and Jocks. The latter was rejected to avoid the misrepresenting the story as a “low-brow youth comedy,” and the company contributed extra money to acquire rights to the Chuck Berry song, “Johnny B. Goode.”
       Despite these efforts, Johnny Be Good was largely scorned by critics, many of whom lamented the film's wasted potential to shed light on the issue of corruption in college sports recruitment. In his review for the 1 Apr 1988 LA Weekly, Michael Dare deemed it “the most imcompetent major studio release in a very long time.”
       Two years later, the 15 Nov 1990 DV reported that stuntman Jackie Resch filed a lawsuit against Orion and co-producer Jeffrey Chernov after sustaining a broken neck during the filming of a football scrimmage scene with untrained high school players, who served as background actors. Although the injury ended his career, the 7 Dec 1990 DV stated that a judge ruled against Resch.
       End credit acknowledgments give “Special Thanks” to: Coach Ralph Harris, Football Technical Advisor; Texas State Film Commission; San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau; Adidas U.S.A.; Proton Corporation; Igloo Corporation; Rawlings Sporting Goods; Bose Corporation; and Revo Sunglasses.
       Production notes refer to Downey’s character as “Leo Gash,” he is credited onscreen as “Leo Wiggins.” Although Uma Thurman previously appeared in the 1987 film, Kiss Daddy Goodnight (1987), Johnny Be Good marked her first theatrical release.