Time After Time (1979 Film) - Production Notes

Production Notes

Films set in the near future are often set decades (or at least a few years) after their release date, however, Time After Time is particularly notable for its 'futuristic' setting – the week of November 5, 1979 – barely two months in the future. 'November 5' would be featured as a key date in two later time-travel films by different directors, 1982's Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann and 1985's Back to the Future.

Five years prior to writing and directing Time After Time, Nicholas Meyer published the novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, in which Sherlock Holmes meets Sigmund Freud.

While preparing to portray Wells, Malcolm McDowell obtained a copy of a 78 rpm recording of Wells speaking. McDowell was "absolutely horrified" to hear that Wells spoke in a high-pitched, squeaky voice with a pronounced Southeast London accent, which McDowell felt would have resulted in unintentional humor if McDowell tried to mimic it for the film. McDowell abandoned any attempt to recreate Wells's authentic speaking style and preferred a more dignified speaking style.

It was one of the last films scored by veteran composer Miklós Rózsa, who received the 1979 Saturn Award for Best Music.

Time After Time was filmed throughout San Francisco, including Cow Hollow, North Beach, the Hyatt Regency hotel, California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, the Marina District, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf, the Richmond District, the Golden Gate Bridge, Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill, the Embarcadero Center, Chinatown, the Marina Green, the Palace of Fine Arts, Potrero Hill, and the Civic Center.

Time After Time was the first time that actors Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen worked together. They play lovers in this film, offscreen they were subsequently married in 1980.