Deliberate mistake: The mechanic points out the overhead installation of the indicator compass. He says "Want to see where I put the compass? It's the best place I could find for it." The installation site was planned, not improvised. In order to read the compass in a mirror the compass was specially ordered from the manufacturer with the numbers reversed so it could only be read in a mirror. This mistake was intentional in order to claim a mirror was needed from a bit character.
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
1 deliberate mistake
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Starring: James Stewart, Murray Hamilton, Bartlett Robinson, Patricia Smith
Factual error: The visual of St. John's, Newfoundland shows a modern high-voltage power line across the hillside which probably didn't exist in 1927. Also WW2 American Air Force base Fort Pepperell is visible in the background. It wasn't constructed until 1941. (00:46:45)
Father Hussman: How come I never see you around church? You don't believe?
Charles Lindbergh: Well, yes, I believe. I believe in an instrument panel, a pressure gauge, a compass, things I can see and touch. I can't touch God.
Father Hussman: You're not supposed to! He touches you.
Trivia: Jimmy Stewart was not the first person picked to play Lindbergh. Stewart at the time was in his mis-40's. The first person at the time the same age that Lindbergh was at the time in 1927, But the actor had been fired by the studio a few days before filming began. His name was Clint Eastwood. Stewart had to lose 25 pounds of weight and dye his hair light brown.
Join the mailing list
Separate from membership, this is to get updates about mistakes in recent releases. Addresses are not passed on to any third party, and are used solely for direct communication from this site. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Check out the mistake & trivia books, on Kindle and in paperback.