Trivia: At the unemployment office, when Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller) speaks to Debbie he says that he felt a connection with her when he first walked into her office and with a deadpan face she quips back that she did not. Debbie is played by Ben Stiller's real-life mom, actress and comedian, Anne Meara.
Trivia: When Larry escapes into the elevator after being chased by the exhibits when they came to life, check out the poster on the wall of the elevator to Larry's left: a poster of sea life invertebrates with the title, "Spineless," which reflects Larry's fright, lack of bravery, and fear of what just happened to him.
Trivia: The film was originally intended to be directed by Stephen Sommers, who is best known for directing 1999's "The Mummy." Sommers left the project following creative differences with the studio. Sommers poked fun at the film years later in a commentary track in 2018, noting that he saw a movie once where a character was constantly and annoying using a flashlight even though it was bright enough he wouldn't need one. Sommers wouldn't name the film, but slyly said "it took place at night in a museum."
Answer: Columbus is speaking Italian. The first night, when Larry asks him about the lions, he says "Go find the lion somewhere else" and then "tourist!" The second night, when they're chased by the animals, he says "Young man, do your job well, take care of the beasts" and when he sees that the window's open, "Kid, what do you say, shall we close the windows?" The last night, when Columbus is guiding the Neanderthals, he says "Fellow Neanderthals, with me!" and to the night guard "It's over!"