According to director/writer commentary track on the Region 1 DVD, the original performances of the stage play from which the movie is based featured Charles Busch in the role of Florence/Chicklet. When Busch adapted his play to film format, he was too old to play Chicklet, so he wrote for himself the part of Captain Monica Stark so he could still participate in the production.
For the scene where Marvel Ann gets her bikini bottoms ripped off, the costume department had to make a pair of "breakaway" bottoms that were only loosely stitched together at the sides, so that they would tear off of actress Amy Adams' derriere easily. Adams did not enjoy filming that scene, even though she understood that her character was being punished for her arrogance.
Captain Monica Stark's outfit was based on a flight attendants outfit.
Until the killer is revealed at the end of the film, the murderer is played by prop master Peter Clines.
Many scenes were shot in one or two takes due to budget constraints.