The Riverton post office

[moremojo]

Hi, gang:

Was just visiting TOB on IMDb, and someone posted this image of the real Riverton post office. Interesting to see, and imagine this as the scene of Ennis's receipt of those life-changing postcards, the 1967 one from Jack and the returned 'DECEASED' one from himself some fifteen years later. Here's the link:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/Hemond/Wyoming%20pics/RivertonPostOffice.jpg

Cheers,
Scott

[David]

Scott,   You didn't pose on the steps reading a postcard???    Awww

[moremojo]

Scott,   You didn't pose on the steps reading a postcard???    Awww

Oh, but I wasn't the one who took the picture. I'd have to go back to the IMDb thread to identify the user who posted it, but I think it was 'balrog' something...(I wonder if that person may now also be at BetterMost)?

Scott

[TJ]

In the movie, the only post office from where Ennis sent and received mail was the one in Riverton, Wyoming.

But, in the book, Ennis was not even in the same county as Riverton, Fremont, when he bought the Brokeback Mountain at Higgins Gift Shop. Ennis was working on the Stoutamire cow and calf outfit at Signal when he got the "Deceased" stamped postcard about the November meeting returned.

At least the post office in the movie also has a red brick front like the real one.

I just thought of why there are so many differences between Annie Proulx's story and the one which is told by the movie, those involved with the movie used "artistic license" in their interpretation/adaptation of the original short story.

I used "artistic license" when I drew and/or painted scenes, landscapes and/or buildings. People who had been to the location from where I got my inspiration knew exactly where the scene was from and some would even swear that what I composed was a picture perfect copy of the actual place. But, I would make changes just enough to make things look more pleasing to the eye.

[Becky]

Wow the guys in the film must have done their research cause the numbers above the real post office in Riverton are exactly the same in the film 82501. It is really sad that I recognise the number isn't it? Ah well.
But also in the film did you notice that the first time Ennis goes to the post office to post the "You Bet" post card the numbers aren't there. But when he goes to recieve the "DECEASED" post card "82501" is above the door. Do you think this is a goof? Or was that done for a reason?

P.s I think this is best a time than any to inform you guys that there should soon be a quiz coming out and there will be questions like the 82501 question on there, so I would get revisin'.

[TJ]

The United States Postal Service, aka the US Post Office, did not use mail zip codes, in 1967, on their post offices. Small cities and larger ones did have postal zones prior to the days of the zip codes.

http://www.usps.com/history/his2_75.htm

ZIP Code began on July 1, 1963, as scheduled. Use of the new code was not mandatory at first for anyone, but, in 1967, the Post Office required mailers of second- and third-class bulk mail to presort by ZIP Code. Although the public and mailers alike adapted well to its use, it was not enough.

[MaineWriter]

But also in the film did you notice that the first time Ennis goes to the post office to post the "You Bet" post card the numbers aren't there. But when he goes to recieve the "DECEASED" post card "82501" is above the door. Do you think this is a goof? Or was that done for a reason?

Becky,
I think that was one of the very specific, but very subtle things done to show the passage of time. As TJ notes, zip codes came into use in 1963 but it wasn't until many years later that you started seeing them on the outside of post offices. I noticed it immediately in my very first viewing (no zip in 67, it was there in 83) and it immediately registered to me as time passing. You're not in the US, you're not used to our post offices.
Leslie

[j.U.d.E.]

Another goof? You might not want to read on..

Mm, slightly off-topic, but did any one notice - or is it me and my blurred vision - but the postcards from Jack and Ennis seem to have the same handwriting (to me that is..). A goof?

Another goof - totally off-topic (of this thread).. again.. don't read on, if you don't want to know.. but after the motel scene when Ennis comes back to his house to collect his fishing stuff and drives off with Jack, it looks like there is only one person - the driver - in the truck. Yet, when they arrive at destination Ennis gets out of the passenger seat. Am I seeing ghosts.. or rather not seeing something..

~ j U d E

[MaineWriter]

Another goof? You might not want to read on..

Mm, slightly off-topic, but did any one notice - or is it me and my blurred vision - but the postcards from Jack and Ennis seem to have the same handwriting (to me that is..). A goof?


~ j U d E

Yes, their handwriting appears similar, but I always saw it as sort of immature...still writing like you might have in 7th or 8th grade, that sort of loopy, childish look. It makes sense (to me) for both of them to write that way.

[serious crayons]

By the way, I have a good friend who is a postal carrier. According to her:

-- The PO would never just stamp DECEASED on a piece of mail and send it back. (Not sure if she's right on this -- she wasn't working for the postal service in 1983).

-- Postal carriers DO read post cards (of course). Ennis and Jack were circumspect on their cards, but as I mentioned on another thread yesterday, if Ennis is going to get paranoid about someone seeing them talking in the driveway, why wouldn't he worry about this?

But maybe those are just artistic-license issues.