MovieChat Forums > Woman of the Year (1942) Discussion > wartime setting

wartime setting

posted 10 years ago by dpharrington
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Several reviewers assume that because WOTY was released in 1942 it's set while the US was at war. But it was released very early in that year, even before producers usually felt obliged to add some reference to the US war effort -- and long before the baseball season. Though I don't know precisely when it was written or filmed, much internal evidence (eg, lack of uniforms, Craig's lack of interest) points to pre-Pearl Harbor. Most decisively, the map of Europe on Harding's office wall, which, given her status, ought to be up-to-date shows the situation in the summer of 1941.

[–] CindyH 9 years ago

I can't check the map that you're speaking of. You're right though that the mention of refugees and Nazis doesn't mean it was post-Pearl.

even before producers usually felt obliged to add some reference to the US war effort

I'm not trying to doubt you here, but how do you know that?

I ask because immediately when America went to war, the entire nation was mobilizing on a patriotic level. Yes, it took time for buildup/call ups and such, but "war" was on the tongue of just about everyone in the nation.

My understanding is that most filming was done last and didn't last very long. Post production work was much more swift than it is today. This is why at the time, one actor (and even directors) could put out 2-4 films per year. If the map reflects the summer of 1941, then I would list that as a mistake on the part of the set director, rather than say it was "lack of interest".

Random Thoughts: http://goo.gl/eXk3O