Shot exclusively on location, in Salford, Blackpool and a disused house in the Fulham Road in London that cost £20 a week to rent.
Despite winning Best Actor (Murray Melvin) and Best Actress (Rita Tushingham) prizes at Cannes, Dora Bryan and Tushingham went unrecognized and were barred from the film's celebration party until film critic Alexander Walker spotted them outside and was able to get them in.
On its initial release, the film was supplemented by a study guide on the "causes and cures" of homosexuality. The guide was subsequently reprinted in Life magazine.
In the scene where Helen and Peter are at the dancehall, the bandleader is Ross McManus, the father of singer/songwriter Elvis Costello.
The film was quite controversial for its portrayal of a relationship between a white girl and a black man, Rita Tushingham and Paul Danquah.