The black-and-white sequences were filmed in color to enable the green backgrounds to be replaced by a starfield in post-production.
Laura, Phil, and Freddie's last name is "Danvers", a reference to Superman and Supergirl comic books.
The imaginary "serial" that takes place during the movie is referred to as "Chapter XV: The Final Confrontation." Typically, the fifteenth chapter was the last in a serial's run.