MovieChat Forums > The High and the Mighty (1954) Discussion > Why Ask Birth Place?

Why Ask Birth Place?

posted 20 years ago by timghe
5 replies | jump to latest

In the opening scene at the ticket counter the ticket agent was asking for passport and place of birth.

Can anyone tell me what the significance of birth place was as opposed to where they lived at the time?

[–] clive-13 20 years ago

This was a scheduled flight from Hawaii to San Fransico in 1954. Hawaii was not a state until 1959-60. Maybe they asked such questions then because Hawaii was still a US Territory.

I'd kiss ya, but I just washed my hair.

[–] timghe 20 years ago

Makes sense. Thanks clive-13.

[–] clive-13 20 years ago

Hey timghe...just finished watching THATM on AMC. The film really does hold up, although there were more than 40 minutes of commercials. I would love to buy this on DVD and watch it wiothout so many crappy commercials.
Clive-13

I'd kiss ya, but I just washed my hair.

[–] jsgreenup 20 years ago

"Clive-13" is correct....in 1954 (when the film was made) Hawaii was still a US Territory and, therefore, persons traveling through the islands were subject to US Customs and Immigration checks....if you visit Puerto Rico or the USVIs today you're subject to the same checks and require proof of US citizenship...

[–] richard.fuller1 19 years ago

I was puzzled by that as well, but just nine years after WWII ended, as well as the more recent Korean conflict, which I believe had just ended a year earlier, this was the best way to insure national security, nevermind that I am certain someone could lie, unless they sought to listen to accents more than anything else.