Howdy, folks--
A little question I have here, pertaining to the authenticity (or potential lack thereof) of one detail in our story, both in Proulx's original and in the film adaptation. Ennis and Jack meet in 1963, at a time when neither, according to the original story, is twenty (implying that both boys are nineteen, perhaps soon to turn twenty). In the published screenplay, Ennis is described as being twenty at the time of his arrival in Signal, with the implication that Jack is around the same age, perhaps slightly younger.
My question is this: Was it legal in Wyoming in 1963 for those under the age of twenty-one to purchase and openly consume alcoholic beverages? Jack and Ennis both repair to a bar in Signal on their first day there, and purchase and openly drink beer. And Jack had to get the bottle of whiskey from somewhere, presumably having purchased it before arriving in town. Was eighteen indeed the legal drinking age at this time and place? If not, were the bar owners (and some alchohol vendor somewhere) just lax in complying with the law? Can anyone answer this question authoritatively?
Thanks in advance for any replying.
Scott
