FILM · 2011
God Bless America
16 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
16 Interesting Facts About God Bless America
Interesting Facts (12)
- #001
When Frank buys the AK-47, the seller describes it as "the best there is. Absolutely, absolutely no substitutions when you have to kill every motherfucker in the room." This is the same way Samuel L. Jackson's character describes the AK-47 at the beginning of Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown (1997).
- #002
During the news reports about the theater shooting at the bottom of the screen, you can read about a failed attempt by Libyan terrorists to obtain plutonium rods, a nod to Back to the Future (1985).
- #003
Bobcat Goldthwait wrote the script as a Christmas present for his wife.
- #004
Alison's fiancé Brad is a New York City police officer, and his collar stripes indicate he is in the 53rd Precinct. The fictional 53rd Precinct is where the officers in the classic comedy Car 54, Where Are You? (1961) were assigned.
- #005
Frank never says Roxy's name throughout the film.
- #006
During the finale, the TMZ host mentions Robin Williams. Williams was a good friend of director Bobcat Goldthwait and had appeared in Goldthwait's World's Greatest Dad (2009).
- #007
The opening aerial camera shot was done by attaching the camera to a rope.
- #008
A subtle nod to True Romance can be heard in the teddy bear scene; Roxy also wears Elvis sunglasses, similarly to True Romance.
- #009
Frank's personal handgun is a military-grade Colt.45 M1911.
- #010
This was Maddie Hasson's first film.
- #011
In one scene Frank criticizes the sexualization of young girls. Director Bobcat Goldthwait met Nikki Cox when she was 17 and dated her when he was 19.
- #012
The wig Maddie Hasson wore while playing Chloe was the same wig Elle Fanning used for her role in Super 8.
Characters & Cast (3)
- #013
Steven Clark was based on real American Idol contestant William Hung, whose audition went viral and who was mocked enough to perform on stage in the final. He did not know they were mocking him and laughing at him; he believed they were cheering for him.
- #014
Tom Kenny, who is said to play one of the office workers, is also the voice of various announcers throughout the film.
- #015
Steven Clark is based on a real American Idol contestant, Paulla Goodspeed, who committed suicide after a failed audition.
Career & Awards (1)
- #016
An hour into the film, Roxy and Frank discuss their shared opinion of Alice Cooper. Roxy states that Cooper was the first person to wear women's clothing, wear makeup, etc., before David Bowie. However, this is incorrect; Bowie's career and fashion began several years before Cooper's music career. The New York Dolls also wore women's clothing and makeup before Cooper.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work