The American President

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The American President Trivia

The last shot of the film where President Shepherd walks into the House of Representatives to give his State of the Union address was actually shot on a sound-stage with Michael Douglas walking an aisle with seats filled with extras on each side, set against bare blue plywood walls.
Michael J. Fox based his portrayal of Lewis Rothschild on George Stephanopoulos.
Produced by Rob Reiner's production company, Castle Rock Entertainment, which is named for a small town appearing in many works by Stephen King and the film adaptations thereof. It was the location of Reiner's own film Stand by Me (1986), but this was not the first film to feature the town. It previously appeared in Cujo and The Dead Zone. The latter film featured Martin Sheen as a future Presidential candidate.
The Oval Office set was originally constructed for Dave and subsequently used for The West Wing. Anna Deavere Smith has appeared in all 3 productions.
The telephone number President Shepherd gives Sydney to call him back (456-1414) is in fact the number to the White House (area code 202).
In one scene, the president mentions to his Chief of Staff, played by Martin Sheen, that he studied under "a Nobel prize winning economist". Martin Sheen later played a US President who was a Nobel prize winning economist in The West Wing (another Aaron Sorkin creation).
During one of his many visits to the White House, director Rob Reiner spent two consecutive days with President Bill Clinton, following him around as he went through his day.
At one point, Emma Thompson was in talks for the female lead.
President Bill Clinton and his staff granted permission for the cast and production design team to visit the White House on several occasions.
Camp David is strictly off-limits to the public and the media. The production designer used someone's personal snapshots from the Nixon Era and a lot of imagination when designing the set.
In one scene, the president mentions to his Chief of Staff, played by Martin Sheen, that he studied under "a Nobel prize winning economist". Martin Sheen later played a US President who was a Nobel prize winning economist in another Aaron Sorkin creation, The West Wing.
The dialogue refers explicitly at one point to the films of Frank Capra. Capra's grandson, Frank Capra III, was first assistant director of this film.
Aaron Sorkin, the writer, makes a cameo appearance as 'Aide in bar'.
Before the movie starting shooting, 'Michael J. Fox' was still keeping his Parkinson's disease a secret. He felt he would lose the role if Rob Reiner found out. During a basic and routine fitness screening, Fox was terrified that clinicians would detect the periodic shaking in his left hand and eventually connect it to Parkinson's. Fortunately for Fox, he took his medication in time to quell the shaking and the test amounted to nothing more than checking heart rate and blood pressure.
Robert Redford was originally cast in the lead role, but was replaced with Michael Douglas after falling out with director Rob Reiner.
The waltz the President Shepard and Ms. Wade dance to is the song "I Have Dreamed" from musical "The King and I" with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
One of the few rare PG-13 movies allowed to keep its PG-13 rating despite the use of the word "fuck" three times (all within 15 minutes of each other), but none used in sexual context.
Martin Sheen, Anna Deavere Smith, Nina Siemaszko, Beau Billingslea, Joshua Malina, Ralph Meyering Jr., Richard McGonagle, Thom Barry, Gabriel Jarret, Ron Canada, 'Nick Toth' and Aaron Sorkin all had roles in this movie and The West Wing. Both were written by Sorkin.
The main theme, by composer Marc Shaiman, can often be heard in the queue area of the attraction, Soarin' Over California, in Disney's California Adventure. The theme was also used as the background music in ABC television's coverage of President Ronald Reagan's funeral.
On the TV at Camp David, a short clip from North, also directed by Rob Reiner, is seen.
In frustration, Lewis Rothschild (Michael J. Fox) smacks a can of Diet Coke across the room. At one time, Michael J. Fox was a spokesperson for Pepsi Co.