Movie |
1950s | California
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Democracy | 2002
Location Professional of the Year Features | 2000 | Lori A.
Best Period Makeup Feature | 2002 | Judy
Budget 72,000,000 USD
Box Office Collection 37,317,673 USD
At one point, while the characters in the film are examining a store-front display of World War II heroes, a photograph of several men in uniform is shown. This photo is of actual soldiers who fought in World War II, all of whom made their home at the location of the film shoot, Ferndale, California.
Several names in the movie are connected to real-life persons involved in Senator Joseph McCarthy's "witch hunt" investigations. The town of Lawson is named for screenwriter John Howard Lawson who stood up to HUAC and ended the Red Scare. Another writer, Lester Cole, gives his surname to the mayor. Luke Trimble is named for blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Appleton is named for Senator McCarthy's Wisconsin home town.
The voices of the unseen studio executives during the first screenwriting scene (and the one later in the film) are all famous directors, including Garry Marshall, Paul Mazursky, Sydney Pollack, Rob Reiner, and Carl Reiner. All of these directors are also known their occasional acting forays.
The scriptwriter Michael Sloane is a close schoolfriend of Frank Darabont. He also doubles as Kindly Old Professor Meredith in The Majestic's film within a film, Sand Pirates of the Sahara. He first showed Darabont the script back in 1999 and while he wanted to make the film, Darabont was already committed to The Green Mile (1999). As soon as it was finished, he got to work on The Majestic (2001).
A character says he "wouldn't know J. Edgar Hoover if he walked in here wearing a dress" - a subtle reference to the claims that Hoover was a cross-dresser in his personal life. This did not become known to the public until the 1980s.
"[Inside the abandoned movie theater] Harry Trimble: That's why we call it The Majestic. Any man, woman, child could buy their ticket, walk right in. Here they'd be, here we'd be. "Yes sir, yes ma'am. Enjoy the show." And in they'd come entering a palace, like in a dream, like in heaven. Maybe you had worries and problems out there, but once you came through those doors, they didn't matter anymore. And you know why? Chaplin, that's why. And Keaton and Lloyd. Garbo, Gable, and Lombard, and Jimmy Stewart and Jimmy Cagney. Fred and Ginger. They were gods. And they lived up there. That was Olympus. Would you remember if I told you how lucky we felt just to be here? To have the privilege of watching them. I mean, this television thing. Why would you want to stay at home and watch a little box? Because it's convenient? Because you don't have to get dressed up, because you could just sit there? I mean, how can you call that entertainment, alone in your living room? Where's the other people? Where's the audience? Where's the magic? I'll tell you, in a place like this, the magic is all around you. The trick is to see it."
"Peter Appleton: The 5th Amendment is out of the question. But there is another Amendment that I'd like to invoke. I wonder if anyone here is familiar with it. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton, you're out of order, Sir! [Congressman Doyle continues to berate Appleton as he continues his speech] Peter Appleton: [reading from Adele's book of the Constitution] "Congress shall make no law... respecting... an establishment of religion... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press... or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances." Congressman Doyle: You will not presume to lecture this Committee, Sir! Peter Appleton: That's the First Amendment, Mr. Chairman. It's everything we're about if only we'd live up to it! Elvin Clyde: [speaking softly to Congressman Doyle] Let him, let him talk. He's just hanging himself. Peter Appleton: It's the most important part of the contract every citizen has with this country. And even though these contracts - the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights! - even though they're just pieces of paper with signatures on them... they're the only contracts we have that are most definitely NOT subject... to renegotiation... not by you, Mr. Chairman... Congressman Doyle: Mr. Appleton! Peter Appleton: Not by you, Mr. Clyde... Congressman Doyle: You will stand down, Sir! Peter Appleton: Not by anyone, ever. Too many people have paid for this contract in blood! Congressman Doyle: Enough, Sir! You are out of order! Peter Appleton: [holds up Luke's Congressional Medal of Honor and the room falls silent] People like Luke Trimble... and all the sons of Lawson, California. Stan Keller: [in Mabel's Diner in Lawson, with Mabel, Bob, Mayor Doyle, and Stan listening to the radio] You're damn right. And they deserve better than this. [looks at Bob working the grill] Stan Keller: All you boys do. [Mayor Doyle is speechless as a tear rolls down his cheek] Congressman Doyle: [banging his gavel] I will have order or I will clear this chamber! Peter Appleton: When you get right down to it, fellas... that's all I have to say to you. [turns and begins walking out of the courtroom] Congressman Doyle: You are not excused, Sir. The witness will resume his seat, you are not excused, Sir! [the crowd in the courtroom stands and begins to applaud as Appleton nears the exit] Congressman Doyle: You will resume your seat! You... [Congressman Doyle cuts off as he realizes no one is listening]"
