Bill Dana wrote for Don Adams during his stand up comedy years, it was Dana who wrote the "Would you believe" routine for Adams which was later used on Get Smart. Dana was also responsible for "The voice" of Maxwell Smart, having heard Adams do an impersonation of actor William Powell, Dana recommended that Adams use that voice in his stand up act.
Bill Dana's brother Irving Szathmary provided the music for Get Smart including the opening theme. Bill Dana's real name was William Szathmary.
Although Don Adams was not present when this episode was filmed he does appear in a brief scene explaining his absence. According to Bill Dana the scene with Max and the Chief stranded in Miami was shot several weeks after the rest of the episode was filmed.
Prior to starring in Get Smart Don Adams appeared as a regular on The Bill Dana Show playing a house detective with mannerisms similar to Maxwell Smart.