I ask this question because it is relevant to what may be significant anachronisms on the part of director Altman.
We know that Roosevelt is president and that the election is not a presidential one - ie the date is not 1936. My best guess is that the date is late 1934 - the mid-term congressional elections. Can someone confirm this or give an alternative?
I would say early 1934, because the JJ Leigh character says that she can't wait for the movie Girl from Missouri to come out, and that movie (according to imdb) was made in 1934. Also, it is no earlier than 1933, because the Miranda Richardson character mentions that her husband had been advising President R since 1932. So, 1933 to early 1934 seems to peg it.
shareYes, 1934.
The movie was intended by Altman to be homage to the music he remembers from his childhood in KC. Stylistically, "Indiana" is by far the most accurate to the true Kansas City style of 1934.
I got the US NewLIne DVD and it is all over the box- 1934
the blurb on the back of the box starts:
KANSAS CITY, 1934.
then it goes on with the abstract
Hope that answers the query
What was the suspected significant anachronism that you thought you saw?
It seems well-made; I mean did you notice the sign in the train station that said "TO MONARCH AND YELLOW CABS"? That kind of detail comes from reviewing period photgraphs or interviewing people who were there... good detail.
Yes, great attention to detail, like wearing heavy overcoats in the middle of summer, or having the election in the middle of summer... or does autumn in Kansas City not even begin until mid November... or do they get those cold Arctic winds any time of year...
Was that supposed to be funny or is it just lousy film making?