The film was partly shot in Hamburg, West Germany, which forms the primary location of the film and was supported by the Hamburg Art Museum and Bendestorf Studios. The film's music is composed and produced by Quincy Jones, and the soundtrack features performances by the Don Elliott Voices, Little Richard, Roberta Flack and Doug Kershaw. The film's title appears in the opening credits only in the form of a giant character, as would be used in a sign, being transported by a crane. "$" was distributed by Columbia Pictures.