Trivia / 50 First Dates

• Actor Allusion: Dan Aykroyd plays Lucy's neuro-physician, who mentions that their clinic is funded by TB Callahan in Sandusky, Ohio, yes, he'd know all about that.
• California Doubling: Mostly averted: While most of the movie was filmed in Hawaii, a couple of scenes (such as the walrus tank scene) were filmed in California.
• Character Outlives Actor: It's heavily implied that the Callahan Institute receives its funding from Tommy Callahan of Tommy Boy fame. Although Chris Farley died in 1997, this would mean that Tommy Callahan was still alive as of 2004 (the year 50 First Dates was released).
• Dyeing for Your Art: Rob Schneider gained weight and underwent a makeover to become nearly unrecognizable as Ula.
• Life Imitates Art: The film's idea of showing Lucy a video each morning to keep her up-to-date on the world and her life inspired a real experimental program for patients with early dementia in Bronx, NY. Based on anecdotal evidence, it has had generally positive results. Doubles as Heartwarming in Hindsight.
• Playing Against Type: Roger Ebert goes to great lengths in his positive review mentioning how likable Adam Sandler ends up being due to not being the Sandler role of a manchild, someone with anger issues, and/or someone with an annoying lisp.
• Throw It In!: The penguin wasn't supposed to close the gate twice. That was a blooper, but the filmmakers left it in to be Played for Laughs.