A census taker named Alan Cory spotted David Kory playing in the street, and brought him to the attention of producer-director-writer Albert Zugsmith, who cast the boy in the leading role. Cory was rewarded by being hired as dialogue director for the film.
One of the films included in "The Fifty Worst Films of All Time (and how they got that way)" by Harry Medved and Randy Lowell.
The casting of the leading role was narrowed down to two candidates: David Kory, who got the part, and Damon Lanza, the son of actor-singer Mario Lanza.
The entire background music score was composed for and played by a single, solo harmonica.
There was talk of a sequel, to be titled 'Dondi Goes Native in Brooklyn,' and a television series, but neither materialized.