Dustin Hoffman seriously studied the piano in his youth, but was not considered talented enough to make a career of it - just like his character Master Carvelle.
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Days before filming in Texas, Garrett Wareing broke his left arm in three places; shooting all scenes in a splint and having it cast after filming wrapped.
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A planned Spring 2016 broadcast of the film on CBS was cancelled at the last minute after a backlash from real-life former choirboys who were sexually abused at a private school similar to the one depicted in the movie.
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Sissy Spacek was originally scheduled to play the Debra Winger role.