MovieChat Forums > House of Wax (1953) Discussion > When does this occur?

When does this occur?

posted 14 years ago by jrpelt
5 replies | jump to latest

Is it ever stated the year in this movie? A lot of costumes look Victorian, but the movie's wiki entry says it happens during the 1910s! Any help is appreciated...

[–] HijodelCid 14 years ago

The execution of William Kemmler happened in 1890, ,,12 years ago'', according to Jarrod, so the year is 1902.

God is subtle, but He is not malicious. (Albert Einstein)

[–] Valerian (-274) a month ago

Twelve years ago the electric chair was first used in New York state. Here we have an authentic reproduction of the execution of William Kemmler on August 3rd in 1890.

1902 is correct.

[–] sourpussc 14 years ago

The clothing strikes me as more Edwardian than Victorian, but I would have put the time between 1900-1910.

Maybe the studio had some costumes lying around...

what if the hokey pokey really IS what it's all about?

[–] ProudTraitor 14 years ago

'Maybe he got hit by one of them automobiles' 'Nah, those things are too slow'

I almost died laughing when the 'fire truck' came at the beginning of the movie. Right before that I was wondering why does it take so long. Then I realized... :)

[–] CoriSCapnSkip (2755) a month ago

Almost certainly between September 14, 1901 and March 4, 1909. The giveaway is the picture of Theodore Roosevelt in the police station. The only non-current presidents whose picture would be hanging on the wall would usually be Washington and Lincoln, otherwise it would always be the current president. There might be reasons for hanging a portrait on the wall before or after the subject was president if he was famous in the area, and Roosevelt was famous in New York, but his picture on the wall plus other indications of the period pretty well nails it.