As Wes Craven notes on the DVD commentary, this was Linda Blair's first film after running into some trouble with the law the previous year. It would be her final starring role in a television movie.
In the book, Rachel's beloved pet was a cocker spaniel, however 'Linda Blair''s affection for horses caused the film's director to have her pet be a horse instead
After having a successful television run on both NBC and CBS, the film was re-titled "Summer of Fear" and given a theatrical release in Europe.
Linda Blair and Wes Craven would team up again in Scream.