Altman was originally scheduled to film version of E.L. Doctorow's great novel.

Her performance as Emma Goldman was deleted shortly before the movie's premiere. Studio executives were concerned that the public would confuse their film with Warren Beatty's "Reds," in which Maureen Stapleton portrayed Emma Goldman.

According to an early 80's interview with Letterman, Nastassja expressed dissapointment about not getting Foreman's 'Ragtime.'

Nicholson had orginially signed on to play the murderous millionaire, Harry K. Thaw.