Jimmy Carter visited the set
Just an odd factoid from Susan Compo's book "Warren Oates: A Wild Life":
When another drag pit scene was shot, a surprise visitor arrived. "Governor Jimmy Carter, to my astonishment, visited the set this afternoon," Willeford wrote. "He only stayed a few minutes, introduced himself, shook hands with some of us, and then departed. Governor Carter didn't hang around the set for more than ten minutes.... This was enough; his tacit approval of the film and our work offset the complaining interview with the Humane Society official about the film in the 'Atlanta Constitution.'" Carter told Hellman his family had been cockfighters for generations.
Did I not love him, Cooch? MY OWN FLESH I DIDN'T LOVE BETTER!!! But he had to say 'Nooooooooo' share