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48-532: It originally began life as Spellbound , produced by Ivan Reitman with a book by David Cronenberg and music by Howard Shore . That version premiered at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto in 1973, starring Henning and Jennifer Dale . When Reitman took it to New York, the book and score were entirely replaced, but Henning's illusions and magic tricks remained unchanged. The Magic Show

96-525: A coma for five more months before dying. As acting president and then president, Nance backs the jobs plan, which becomes law. Bob and several Mitchell administration officials are indicted, while Alan continues working in the White House. Dave runs for the D.C. city council with the help of Murray and his employment agency staff. Dave is surprised one day when Ellen visits. He escorts her into his office, where they share their first kiss. Dave closes

144-466: A conservative such as Ronald Reagan or George H. W. Bush held the presidency. Warner Bros. bought the project with the intent to have it directed by Shuler Donner's husband Richard Donner , but he decided against continuing with the project in 1990. Production was delayed by three years to wait for Shuler Donner to be released from her contract with Disney and for director Ivan Reitman to become available. According to Reitman, Warner Bros. wanted

192-536: A conservative-slash-libertarian ." Reitman had previously appeared in the 2004 documentary, Rated R: Republicans in Hollywood . Reitman died in his sleep at home in Montecito, California , on February 12, 2022, at the age of 75. Short film Feature film Ref: Acting roles Executive producer only Producer only Executive producer only Producer Dave (film) Dave

240-522: A box office star to portray the lead role and that one executive even suggested Arnold Schwarzenegger to play the part. Michael Keaton was briefly cast in the role but had to drop out. Both Warren Beatty and Kevin Costner were also considered for the role. In fact, it was Beatty who brought Dave to Reitman's attention. Kevin Kline almost turned down the role, because he thought he would be playing

288-549: A film production company located just south of Santa Barbara . In 2007, Reitman was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame. He next produced the comedy I Love You, Man (2009), starring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel . Also in 2009, he produced the Academy Award -nominated film, Up in the Air , directed by his son Jason Reitman . Later, Reitman had planned to direct the erotic thriller Chloe (2009) but he couldn't attract

336-748: A filmed performance staged especially for the cameras in 1980, directed by Norman Campbell at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Toronto , was issued on DVD by Image Entertainment . This production, originally intended for cinema release, differed notably from the original Broadway production, with several of the most memorable songs, such as "West End Avenue" and "Solid Silver Platform Shoes", removed. Doug Henning reprised his original starring role, while Didi Conn co-starred as Cal. Ivan Reitman Ivan Reitman OC ( / ˈ r aɪ t m ə n / ; October 27, 1946 – February 12, 2022)

384-418: A major stroke while having sex with Randi. His Chief of Staff , Bob Alexander, is inspired to ask Dave to continue in his role. Bob's scheme is to force Vice President Gary Nance to resign by embroiling him in a savings and loan scandal ; then Dave, acting as Mitchell, will appoint Bob vice president; then Dave will fake a more serious stroke and Bob will become president. Communications Director Alan Reed

432-426: A number of comedies including Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), Legal Eagles (1986), Twins (1988), Ghostbusters II (1989), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Dave (1993), Junior (1994), Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), Evolution (2001), My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), and No Strings Attached (2011). In the early 1990s, Reitman began to direct fewer films, but increased his role as

480-506: A posthumous producer credit for the sequel to Ghostbusters: Afterlife , Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire , which was released on March 22, 2024. The film is also dedicated to his memory. In the early 1980s, Tom Mankiewicz wrote a script for a film titled The Batman , with Reitman attached to direct. He planned to cast Meatballs star Bill Murray as Batman , David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth , William Holden as Commissioner James Gordon , and singer David Bowie as Joker . Following

528-430: A presidential run. During a joint session of Congress , Dave admits that Bob's allegations are true and produces proof, provided by Alan, that shows that Bob was also involved, and that Nance is innocent. After Dave apologizes to Nance and the country, he fakes another stroke; switching places with Mitchell, he resumes his previous life. The hospital pronounces the "second" stroke as major, and Mitchell continues to lie in

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576-548: A producer and executive producer through his company, Northern Lights Entertainment. He helped to produce the animated film Heavy Metal (1981), as well as the live-action films Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983), Beethoven (1992), Beethoven's 2nd (1993), Space Jam (1996), Howard Stern 's film Private Parts (1997) In 1998, Reitman (alongside former Universal Pictures chairman Tom Pollock ) founded The Montecito Picture Company ,

624-693: A remake of Creature From the Black Lagoon at Universal with a script by Herschel Weingrod and Timothy Harris , as well as a potential Marx brothers feature, but neither materialized. In April 1996, it was reported that Reitman was attached to produce, and possibly direct, a Wonder Woman film. However, three years later, he passed the project on to writer Jon Cohen and left for unknown reasons. In 2000, Reitman along with Wolfgang Petersen , Rob Reiner , M. Night Shyamalan , Alan Parker , Tim Robbins , Terry Gilliam , Brad Silberling and Peter Weir were considered to direct Harry Potter and

672-596: A replica at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and would be reused more than 25 times, for television shows and films such as The Pelican Brief , In the Line of Fire , Hot Shots! Part Deux and Absolute Power . Dave debuted at number 2 at the US box office, behind Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story . It reached number 1 in its second weekend. In total, Dave made $ 63.3 million in

720-500: A score of 76 out of 100 Metacritic , based on 30 reviews. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three and a half stars out of four. Ebert praised the film's acting and wrote, " Dave takes that old plot about an ordinary person who is suddenly thrust into a position of power, and finds a fresh way to tell it. [...] When I first heard this story line, I imagined that Dave would be completely predictable. I

768-423: A sequel to Evolution , but they never came to fruition. In June 2016, it was reported that Reitman would produce a prospective animated series Ghostbusters: Ecto Force . In July 2017, Reitman stated that Ecto Force had been postponed to focus on an animated Ghostbusters film that he would produce and co-direct alongside Fletcher Moules. Reitman married Geneviève Robert in 1976. He had two daughters and

816-407: A side job, capitalizes on his remarkable resemblance to President Bill Mitchell by comically impersonating him at events. Secret Service agent Duane Stevenson recruits him to impersonate Mitchell after a speech, ostensibly as a security precaution, but actually to allow Mitchell to meet Randi, a White House staffer with whom he is having an affair. Dave's appearance goes well, but Mitchell suffers

864-534: A son, Jason , who is a film director best known for his films Juno , Thank You for Smoking , Up in the Air and Ghostbusters: Afterlife . His daughter Catherine is the creator, executive producer, writer and star of the CBC comedy series Workin' Moms . His other daughter, Caroline, is a nurse in San Diego, California. He and his French-Canadian wife, who converted to Judaism , brought up their children in

912-408: A wonderful act, and, second, because the frame was amusing enough. Director-choreographer Grover Dale gave it atmosphere, David Ogden Stiers as the cast-off magician was a wily piece of camp, and Schwartz’s score is capable and surprising.” At least one of the songs, “West End Avenue,” became a standard; Peter Filichia wrote that it was “one of the most popular cabaret songs of the late ‘70s.” In 2001,

960-493: A younger director, but that Reitman's original contract precluded this. In early 2010, it appeared as if Reitman would direct the film, but in September 2014, after Harold Ramis ' death, Paul Feig was officially set to direct a new film , which was released in 2016 as a reboot of the franchise. In March 2012, it was reported that a sequel to Twins , titled Triplets , was in the works, and that Reitman would co-produce

1008-543: Is a 1993 American political comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman , written by Gary Ross , and starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver . Frank Langella , Kevin Dunn , Laura Linney , Ving Rhames , Charles Grodin , and Ben Kingsley appear in supporting roles. Dave was a box office success, and was met with critical acclaim. Dave Kovic runs a temporary employment agency in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. , and, as

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1056-435: Is excited. Meanwhile, Doug pays little attention to Cal and decides that he needs a "beautiful assistant". Cal is hurt, as Doug conjures up the beautiful Charmin. Donna and Dina get jealous, and along with Feldman, plot to expose the secrets to Doug's tricks during the show. Doug finally realizes he loves Cal, and gets to her before she leaves. Charmin is sent back to wherever she came from, and all ends up well. Reviews for

1104-494: Is initially hesitant, but eventually acquiesces and tells the press corps the stroke was minor. Claiming that Nance is mentally unstable, Bob and Alan convince Dave he must continue impersonating Mitchell for the good of the country. Nance is sent on a goodwill tour of Africa . Dave's charm and enthusiasm improves Mitchell's image and popularity. First Lady Ellen Mitchell, who has been estranged from her husband for years, initially suspects nothing and treats Dave with contempt on

1152-667: The First Lady role. Ross was present for production, as he was interested in starting a directing career as well. Filming began on August 13, 1992, in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. White House interior sets were filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Burbank while exterior scenes were filmed at the Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia, California . The film's Oval Office set was constructed based on

1200-504: The Philosopher's Stone but the directing job was given to Chris Columbus instead. In 2001, Reitman revealed he would direct MGM 's remake of The Pink Panther , with Mike Myers in the role of Inspector Clouseau . A 2006 iteration starred Steve Martin in the role instead. In March 2007, New York magazine, citing no sources, stated that Sony Pictures Entertainment wanted to replace Reitman on Ghostbusters III with

1248-506: The Top Hat owner, wants to replace him and brings in Doug. Doug is very unconventional and has an assistant named Cal. Cal is in love with Doug, but he does not notice her and is focused on advancing his career. Donna and Dina are the rock act in the club. One of them dates the nephew of a big agent named Goldfarb. Goldfarb is coming to the club to check out Donna and Dina's act, and everyone

1296-497: The United States and Canada and $ 28.5 million internationally for a worldwide total of $ 91.8 million. Dave was met with critical acclaim. It has a 95% approval rate and an average score of 7.6 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes , based on 62 reviews. The critic's consensus states: "Ivan Reitman's refreshingly earnest political comedy benefits from an understated, charming script and a breezy performance by Kevin Kline." It has

1344-458: The White House, but after spending a night out alone together, they begin to fall in love. Ellen tells Dave she's gone along with the charade of a happy marriage because she thought that as First Lady, she could help people. Dave tells her he wishes he could. The next day, Dave, still as Mitchell, calls a press conference , making Bob furious that Dave is no longer obeying him. Dave fires Bob, who in turn tries to fire him, but Dave dares Bob to tell

1392-479: The cast he wanted so Reitman decided to only serve as a producer and asked Atom Egoyan to direct the film. Chloe has since enjoyed commercial success and became Egoyan's biggest moneymaker ever. In his final decade, Reitman also co-produced the biographical film Hitchcock , released on November 23, 2012, directed the 2014 sports drama Draft Day , starring Kevin Costner , and served as executive producer on 2021's Space Jam: A New Legacy as he had done for

1440-434: The characters skillfully avoid tripping over obvious conclusions, but they bring such particular qualities to their characters that we almost believe them." Then-President Bill Clinton approved of the film, and gave Ross a framed script, which Clinton had autographed, writing that it was a "funny, often accurate lampooning of politics." Clinton also gave Ross a picture of himself holding a Dave mug. A musical based on

1488-402: The deaths of Holden and Niven and rewrites of the script, Reitman left the project and was replaced by Gremlins director Joe Dante , but the film was never made. In the mid-1980s, Reitman was in contention to direct Memoirs of an Invisible Man , but departed from the project due to creative differences with star Chevy Chase . In February 1996, it was reported that Reitman was planning

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1536-459: The few occasions they see each other. When she sees Dave's empathy towards a shy boy at a homeless shelter for which she is a staunch advocate, she begins to soften towards him. Her fury returns, though, after Bob forges Mitchell's signature on the veto of a bill that included funding for the shelter. Dave, after consulting his accountant friend Murray Blum, works with the Cabinet to restore

1584-496: The film. Deadline reported in September 2021 that Reitman would both direct and produce Triplets and that shooting was scheduled to begin in January 2022. The status of the film is unclear following Reitman's death, with Arnold Schwarzenegger suggesting that Reitman's son Jason "stopped the project when his father died" and that the younger Reitman "never liked the idea." In 2013, it was revealed that Reitman had plans to make

1632-671: The film. Producer Lauren Shuler Donner and screenwriter Gary Ross had known each other since taking a Stella Adler class in the 1970s, and in 1988 Ross told Shuler Donner his idea for Dave . Ross wrote the script while working on the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign during the 1988 election , and he was inspired by the Iran-contra affair . Ross also received advice from First Lady Barbara Bush 's press secretary Anna Perez. Shuler Donner approved it, but her employer Walt Disney Productions refused to release it while

1680-403: The first film. In mid-January 2019, news of a new Ghostbusters film, Ghostbusters: Afterlife , came through with Ivan's son Jason Reitman taking over as co-writer and director. Ivan remained producer, and stood in for the late Harold Ramis as Egon Spengler using digital makeup. The film was released on November 19, 2021, marking his final film before his death. However, Reitman received

1728-462: The funding. A furious Bob threatens to destroy Dave, but Alan vows to expose their scheme if he does and all three of them will end up in jail. Ellen, having witnessed Dave's considerable efforts to save the shelter, tricks him into admitting he's an impostor and asks to see her husband. Dave has Duane escort them to a secret hospital room beneath the White House, where Mitchell remains in a coma. They are told he won't recover. They both resolve to leave

1776-507: The press about the switch. At the press conference, Dave announces a monumental plan to provide a job to every American who wants one . Nance returns from Africa and confronts Dave for trying to frame him for crimes of which Bob and the real Mitchell are actually guilty. In retaliation against Dave, Bob reveals evidence implicating Mitchell in the scandal, which Alan admits is true. Despite talk of impeachment , Dave refuses to back off his jobs plan, while Bob quietly begins to garner support for

1824-416: The rest of the show disappear.” However, Kerr concluded that “the show is the kind that parents will take children to on the pretext that they are doing the children a favor. But they go for their own fun, really.” Some critics were fonder of the show. In One More Kiss , his book surveying Broadway musicals of the 1970s, Ethan Mordden wrote that the show’s success was “first, because Henning really did have

1872-515: The same character he played in A Fish Called Wanda . Nevertheless, Kline was hired to play the protagonist, as Reitman considered him to have a presidential look and be an actor "who was both dramatically strong and was light on his feet," as Kline would not only be playing a double role, but the film was a comedy that dealt with very serious subject matter. Reitman then called Sigourney Weaver , with whom he had worked in Ghostbusters , for

1920-670: The same tradition. In 2009, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada "for his contributions as a director and producer, and for his promotion of the Canadian film and television industries". In April 2011, he received the Mayor's Prize at his native city of Komárno , Slovakia . He received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. In 2014, he said "I've always been something of

1968-413: The shades to give them privacy and Duane, wearing one of Dave's campaign buttons, steps in front of the door. Senators Al D'Amato , Lloyd Bentsen , and Daniel Patrick Moynihan were scheduled to make cameo appearances in the film but withdrew in protest of Warner Records 's decision to release Body Count 's song " Cop Killer ." NBC also prohibited Andrea Mitchell from making a planned appearance in

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2016-543: The show were mixed. In the New York Times , Clive Barnes wrote what he called “an adulterated rave,” because “Mr. Henning is terrific. He is the greatest illusionist I have ever seen … On the other hand, the show is awful. This is a 'Magic Show' where they should keep the magic and abandon the show.” The Times ’ Sunday critic Walter Kerr concurred that “If the star of the occasion, magician Doug Henning, were entirely serious about his business, he would promptly make

2064-602: Was a Canadian film director and producer. He was known for his comedy films, especially in the 1980s and 1990s. Reitman was the owner of The Montecito Picture Company , founded in 1998. Films he directed include Meatballs (1979), Stripes (1981), Ghostbusters (1984), Twins (1988), Ghostbusters II (1989), Kindergarten Cop (1990), Dave (1993), Junior (1994) and Draft Day (2014). Reitman also served as producer for such films as National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), Heavy Metal (1981), Space Jam (1996) and Private Parts (1997). Ivan Reitman

2112-464: Was a member of the Twintone Four singing group. He attended McMaster University , receiving a Bachelor of Music in 1969. At McMaster he produced and directed many short films. Reitman's first producing job was with the then-new station CITY-TV in Toronto. CITY was also the home of the first announcing job of his later friend and collaborator Dan Aykroyd . However, Reitman's tenure at CITY

2160-459: Was a rare Broadway musical with a star who could neither sing nor dance. As composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz told critic Peter Filichia , "This wasn't the case of writing for a star, but writing around a star." The setting for the show is a seedy nightclub, the Top Hat, where an aging alcoholic magician, "Feldman the Magnificent," chews the scenery in his overly grand performance. Manny,

2208-547: Was born in the town of Komárno , Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia ), on October 27, 1946, the son of Klara (Raab) and Ladislav "Leslie" Reitman. Both of Reitman's parents were Jewish-Hungarians ; his mother survived the Auschwitz concentration camp , and his father was an underground resistance fighter. His family arrived in Canada as refugees when Reitman was four years old. Reitman attended Oakwood Collegiate in Toronto and

2256-511: Was short and he was fired during his first year by station owner Moses Znaimer . In Toronto, he produced the stage production Spellbound (1973) which evolved into Broadway production The Magic Show . Reitman's first commercial film ventures were as producer of two films for director David Cronenberg , Shivers (1975) and Rabid (1977). His big break came when he produced National Lampoon's Animal House in 1978 and directed Meatballs in 1979. From there, he directed and produced

2304-481: Was wrong. The movie is more proof that it isn't what you do, it's how you do it: Ivan Reitman's direction and Gary Ross's screenplay use intelligence and warmhearted sentiment to make Dave into wonderful lighthearted entertainment. [...] Both Kline and Weaver are good at playing characters of considerable intelligence, and that's the case here. The movie may be built on subtle variations of the Idiot Plot , in which

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