MovieChat Forums > Elmer Gantry (1960) Discussion > Anachronism?

Anachronism?

posted 18 years ago by 141-OKG
6 replies | jump to latest

There is mention herein of a "Catholic" Presedential candidate.

This film came out in 1960, when JFK was running - but was he the first?
The film is set in 1929 (I think) - was there a Cathloic running for President in that era as well?

http://us.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=10088562
(some need to go up 1 or down 1)

[–] sean_grn 18 years ago

Al Smith ran for president in 1928. Wikipedia lists him as the first Catholic nominee for a major party

[–] X-Evolutionist 17 years ago

Kennedy was the first Catholic president. Maybe that's what you were thinking of.

X

http://X-Evolutionist.com/
http://X-Evolutionist.spaces.live.com/

[–] topaz-27 17 years ago

John Kennedy was the first Catholic president of the US, but NOT the first Catholic candidate for that office. Al Smith who ran for president in 1929 was the first Catholic candidate.

The actual line is: "and there's a Catholic running for president!"

Rita

[–] DrakeStraw 14 years ago

Al Smith who ran for president in 1929 was the first Catholic candidate.

Actually he ran in 1928. If elected his inauguration would have been in 1929.

There really may be a minor anachronism in the movie. The book was published in 1927, but Al Smith officially became the candidate in late June, 1928. Whether his intentions were made public in 1927, is something I haven't been able to find in an internet search. Needless to say, the line isn't in the book that was written in 1926. Here's a link to the ebook:

http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks03/0300851h.html

--
Drake

FYI

[spoiler][/spoiler]

[–] DrakeStraw 15 years ago

The film is set in 1929 (I think)

The book was written in 1926 and published in 1927. For years I had a first edition that is probably worth a fortune now. Seeing the movie again has prompted a search for the book that I'm not sure I still have. Could my Ex have thrown it out or taken it with her when we split up?

--
Drake

FYI

[spoiler][/spoiler]

[–] DrakeStraw 14 years ago

Wow, only three and a half months have passed and I'm watching EG again. But then, it's my favorite all-time. Why? I've known quite a few preachers who I consider to be in the same league!

--
Drake

FYI

[spoiler][/spoiler]