Goofs
Anachronisms
The "French" phone shown as they talk about the intrusive unwanted guest calling Tom wasn't invented until about the mid-30's. In 1922, you still had to hold the candlestick phone in one hand and talk into the mouthpiece while holding and the earpiece up to your ear.
Share this
Share this
The story is set in 1922, but Gatsby's yellow car is a 1929 Duesenberg Model J.
Share this
Share this
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue is featured prominently in this film (during Gatsby's entrance), set in 1922. It was not commissioned until January 1924 and premiered five weeks later on February 12, 1924 by Paul Whiteman and his band Palais Royal Orchestra. Whiteman, aka "King of Jazz" eventually used the piece as his band's theme song.
Share this
Share this
When Gatsby was at Daisy's Louisville home, the opening shot showed him with two ribbons on his chest but in subsequent shots the ribbons were missing. Beyond that, one of the ribbons was the World War I Victory Medal that was awarded to soldiers after the war and clearly this scene was before Gatsby shipped out to France, so there is no way he would be wearing it at this time.
Share this
Share this
Some establishing shots of Manhattan show the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building under construction. The film takes place in 1922. Construction on the Chrysler Building began in 1928 and on the Empire State Building in 1930.
Share this
Share this
When talking to Nick, Jay Gatsby mentions travelling the cities of Europe, including Istanbul. However, Constantinople was only renamed to Istanbul in 1930.
Share this
Share this
Continuity
When Daisy is introduced to Gatsby in Nick's cottage, Gatsby sneaks out the back door and emerges through the front completely soaked due to the rain. However, in the next shot, which dialogue indicates takes place with little to no time passing, Gatsby is completely dry.
Share this
Share this
When Nick rides with Gatsby in his car, Gatsby passes a truck and waves his hat to him. In the next shot as they make a turn, his hat is on his head. In the next shot, it's in his hand waving to the truck again.
Share this
Share this
Errors in geography
When Gatsby meets Daisy at Nick's cottage, it is 4 pm. Later, they look across the water at Daisy's house in East Egg, with the sun just over it - which would only happen in the morning.
Share this
Share this
Revealing mistakes
The tenor saxophonist at the Gatsby's mansion party is holding the saxophone incorrectly. The proper way to hold a saxophone is with the left hand on top and the right hand on the bottom. The player in the film is holding the saxophone with the right hand on top and the left hand on the bottom.
Share this
Share this
