In an early version of the Roller Boogie script, Bobby James was supposed to be a songwriter and a skater. In one scene, Bobby and his friends compose a new song on a tape recorder in a spontaneous sing-along. Terry then helps Bobby promote the song using her musical talent. At the end of the script, the song is produced and Bobby pursues a musical career. There is no mention of the Olympics in this version.

Linda Blair had two different stunt doubles during the filming of Roller Boogie, although she did quite a lot of her own skating. Later she developed bursitis in her hip because of her work.

Barbara Guedel, an artistic roller skater from California, stunt doubled for Blair during the Boogie contest.

Several of the skating extras in Roller Boogie also appeared in the 1980 film Xanadu.

Linda Blair opted for a percentage of the film's total gross.

The filming of Roller Boogie took eight weeks and was released soon after it was shot.

Producers hoped Roller Boogie would become the next Saturday Night Fever.

The original male lead was going to be played by Canadian actor David Kennedy. However, he and Linda Blair had been dating and split up during the casting stage. It was rumored that he wasn't selected for the film at the personal request of Blair.

Originally Jim Bray was cast at a stunt double for the then-uncast Bobby James role but got the role after producers failed to find an actor they liked.

Although Jim Bray was a professional roller skater, he had a stunt double (Jerry Bregman) who skated for him in all of the skate park scenes and during the "jumping over the limo" shot.

Albert Insinnia, who played Gordo in Roller Boogie, was almost selected to play the role of Bobby James.

Actor Peter Gallagher was also up for the role of Bobby at one point.

Director Mark Lester said he got the idea for Roller Boogie while he was rolling skating in Venice.

The film's opening song "Hell on Wheels" is sung by Cher.

Allegedly there were several plans to make a sequel but they were never finalized.

by Millie De Chirico

SOURCES:
Rollerboogie.net
Nytimes.com
Rogerebert.com
Imdb.com
Allmovie.com
Wikipedia.com
Dvdtalk.com