When is this supposed to take place? 1920s?? Anachronisms? - When Calls the Heart (2025)

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I thought this was set in the 19th century yet then the mill guy rides in on a motorcycle that looks like it was built somewhere between 1905 and 1920. And then Elizabeth gets home and discusses "the latest D.H. Lawrence novel". That places the show somewhere between 1915 and 1930. D.H. Lawrence was a child in the late 19th century, he didn't begin publishing novels until the 1910s. And then the characters regularly wear distinctly modern clothing mixed with 19th century clothing. The mountie uniform in the show dates from post-1920 as well I believe. And there's a reference to the Titanic too. Shouldn't someone, you know, have noticed that World War I has started?

So when is this supposed to take place? Apparently the 1920s??

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There was a footnote onscreen at the beginning of the first episode in season one that said 1910.

(knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny

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Member since April 2004

here's the breakdown of when the name changed

susan

The North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was a Canadian police force. It was established in 1873, and in 1904 the name was changed to Royal Northwest Mounted Police. In 1920 it merged with the Dominion Police to become the current Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

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This being the second season it could possibly be 1912 by now. The Titanic sank in April 1912.

World War I didn't start until 1914.

DH Lawrence's first three novels were published in 1911, 1912, & 1913.

The White Peacock (1911)
The Trespasser (1912)
Sons and Lovers (1913)

(knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny (knock,knock,knock) Penny

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I think the controversial DH Lawrence novel that whoever wrote the episode that line appeared in, was referencing was probably 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' (his most famous novel), which was actually not published until 1929but who's counting the years exactly on this show? lol

I think that they should be more accurate though..if something didn't happen in that time period, then why write it

I do understand that shows take liberty with historybut not something that's going to happen for almost another 20 years..that's just making fun of history..

I get maybe a year or two.the same time periodbut not a different time all together..

susan

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In season 2, the episode where we meet Clara who saves the court case against the mine, she reads a paper in Hamilton which is dated October 1910. It also says "China Abolishes Slavery", although that took place in March 1910 but still the same year.

In last week's episode, where the Mountie rescues Rosemary, the town paper also states it's October 1910.

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Member since April 2004

In season 2, the episode where we meet Clara who saves the court case against the mine, she reads a paper in Hamilton which is dated October 1910. It also says "China Abolishes Slavery", although that took place in March 1910 but still the same year.

that I can kind of live withinformation wasn't all of a sudden way back thenso.

susan

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And then the characters regularly wear distinctly modern clothing mixed with 19th century clothing.

I don't actually watch this show clarie, but my mother does, and so I catch bits and pieces of it from time to time, and the same exact thought had occurred to me as well. I knew that it was a period piece that it took place around the early 20th century, but thought it rather strange that some of the characters were outfitted in some rather contemporary attire.

In either event, it looks like it's a pretty decent show.

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It isn't a documentary, it's a dramatic show that is very well done. Yes, sometimes the clothes and styling is off, but that happens on a lot of shows. This show is really great. I'm glad Hallmark has given this show air time and hope it continues for several seasons.

no it's not..but they shouldnt' be referencing something that's like 20 years off.

susan

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Member since April 2004

I knew that it was a period piece that it took place around the early 20th century, but thought it rather strange that some of the characters were outfitted in some rather contemporary attire.

In either event, it looks like it's a pretty decent show.

I've seen that on old Hollywood movies.I would say to myself.um, so and so wouldn't be waering that..when they'd do period pieces.and lol..they were a lot closer to that time period then we are now.

susan

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Royal North West Mounted Police

I don't remember royal in the title

it was called the north west mounted policeand then it was changed to the royal mounted police

susan

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Member since August 2000

An additional element is the name "Royal North West Mounted Police", which was used only until 1920.

The Janet Oke books also used Royal Northwest Mounted Police. They were also set in the 1910s, but the character of Elizabeth Thatcher in the books was the aunt of the one in this series. The Elizabeth Thatcher in the pilot movie starring Maggie Grace with was also the aunt of the one in this series.

It actually changed from North-west Mounted Police to Royal Northwest Mounted Police in 1904. In 1920 it merged with the Dominion Police and became tne Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Since the show is set before 1920, this isn't an anachronism.

I don't know what they have to say. It makes no difference anyway. Whatever it is, I'm against it.

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I find the women all wearing their hair down a big anachronisms. Women wouldn't wear their long hair down in 1910.

no they wouldn't

susan

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Member since April 2004

Before 1911, you had to hand crank them!

I thought you had ot crank them even after that

susan

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Member since October 2004

I'm having a problem with the ladies' hair. They're all wearing it down and un-styled, as if it were 1972. In the 1910s women wore those huge Gibson girl hairstyles. Eventually, it transitioned to those sleek, wavy bobs. Little girls wore their hair down, in ringlets.

I know many of these women are country folk, but come on! Even in The city the women in this show are walking around looking like peasants.

They should take a lesson from "Downton Abbey." Same era to start. Impeccable hair. And maybe they still have some costumes left over from "Anne of Green Gables."

Seriously, Hallmark. Hire a proper stylist. We can handle a little big hair.

The best thing about a good education is that you're always in on the joke.

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Member since August 1999

I instinctively reached for the channel changer when I saw this show come on in place of old reruns of "Little House on the Prairie" and "The Waltons" as I could tell it was going to be some sappy show; and I actually like the two old family shows I just mentioned. However, I paused for a moment as I was really taken back by the anachronisms and I could not tell what time period this show was set in. I'm really good at being able to tell the time period from women's clothing and I'm a huge fan of "Downton Abbey", which does a superb job of period costuming. The clothing in "When Calls the Heart" looked like they were doing a High School play of "Our Town" and the costume director just told them "Okay kids, we don't have a budget for costumes, so girls just wear a long dress and boys just wear a suit or nice slacks and a collar shirt."

The dresses in "When Calls the Heart" don't come from any certain time period, in fact many look very modern. The men's suits are definitely modern. The women's hair, I don't even know where to start on that. Adult women during the pre-WWI time period did not wear their hair down. Only girls under the age of about 16 or so would have worn their hair down. It was a sign of growing up for a woman to wear her hair up. I'm so not a costume Nazi usually, but I just couldn't watch a period piece when there is so many glaring anachronisms. Women and men's fashions have specific styles for different decades and it's so neat in "Downton Abbey" to see how Edith is always on the cutting edge of fashion, while the Countess is always 10-20 yrs behind the times, and Cora and Mary are always somewhere in between.

With "When Calls the Heart" the anachronisms were so distracting that I kept expecting a twist like from "Dark City" or some kind of time travel involved. Instead, I had to change the channel, as was my first instinct. I know fans will defend this show but to me, it's just a cosplay experience gone horribly wrong.

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I know fans will defend this show but to me it's just a cosplay experience gone horribly wrong.

OMG *that's* what was bugging me!! I just didn't know how to put it into words, but you're absolutely right; whereas the first season feels authentic and realistic, the second season feels like they're just filming some half-assed cosplay.
I tried watching the second season, but I literally could not watch anymore because the hair, makeup, and even to some extent the wardrobe (Cleavage? Seriously?) was just too friggin distracting.

Yeah they call me the Hiphopopotamus, my lyrics are bottomless..

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I'd never seen this show until my mom and I watched the Christmas movie last night. The anachronisms were so flagrant from the beginning that we both had a hard time focusing on the storyline, and spent most of the time trying to figure out the time period. In addition to the women wearing their hair loose (Lori Laughlin's looked red carpet ready), practically all of them had dyed hair with dark roots, 2016 style. Seriously? Not to mention loads of makeup. And don't even get me started on the wardrobe . . . we've really enjoyed most of the Hallmark Christmas movies, as sappy as they are, but this one was downright bizarre.

I agree with eskaty about taking a cue from Downton Abbey!

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Years Halley's comet passed in any possible range:
(16 November 1835)
(20 April 1910)
(9 February 1986)

So it has to be 1910

Member since January 2004

I just saw this series on Netflix and I really do feel like something changed in-between season 1 and season 2. I wonder if there was a change in production or if Hallmark took more control over the series but the costumes, cinematography, lighting, and even the way the town looked changed even though most of the set and buildings stayed the same. It was as if the show got a directive to look cleaner, more polished, shiny, and add a lot more color. Not to say there would have been a difference between American and Canadian production values, but I can't help but remember when Sarah Polley left Avonlea because she felt the show was becoming too Americanized after Disney started having a heavier hand in its production, and I couldn't help wonder if something happened here.

I also find the children extras being inconsistent to be a little annoying too, though I notice they bring a the same ones back selectively after a few episodes though not at the same time.

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