Alright, this might sound ridiculous, but this question kept me awake last night. The scene where Jack borrows the coat of the two men playing tops with a boy, then goes to talk to Rose who is in her blue "Flying Dress" is on Titanic's last night, right? But, there is an actual photo that was taken of 2 men and a boy playing. It is said that the photo was taken by a Father Brown. However, he left the boat at Queenstown, I think. Did James Cameron play around with the scene sequences compared to what actually happened, or am I just horribly confused?

-- Lynae (lynaeanderson@yahoo.com), July 05, 1999

Answers

Response to Scene Sequences

Not ridiculous and you are right. The young man with the top was Douglas Spedden and the photo was taken before Father Browne disembarked at Queenstown. I guess we have to allow Mr. Cameron a little poetic license here. It's a great photo!

Regards,
Peter

-- Peter Nivling (pcnivling@capecod.net), July 06, 1999.

Response to Scene Sequences

Good pickup! Never noticed it before, but now that you've brought it to my attention you are absolutely right!

-- Kelly (kelly_rose1@hotmail.com), July 07, 1999.

Response to Scene Sequences

Thank you Kelly and Peter!

-- Lynae (lynaeanderson@yahoo.com), July 07, 1999.

Response to Scene Sequences

I really think Cameron put that scene in for the 'rivet counters.' I remember seeing the film the first time, with my wife. When I saw that scene, I just about came out of my seat. It was a very nice touch, and who knows, maybe Master Spedden played with his top there after leaving Queenstown.

Regards,

-- Kip Henry (kip-henry@ouhsc.edu), July 15, 1999.

Response to Scene Sequences

Kip, what are 'rivet counters', may I ask?

-- Lynae Anderson (lynaeanderson@yahoo.com), July 16, 1999.

Response to Scene Sequences

Hi Lynae:

'Rivet Counters' are hard-core Titanophiles. The term describes someone who is so into the Titanic legend that he/she gets down to counting the rivets in photos (and film models) of the ship.

The scene in Cameron's film of the boy spinning the top probably didn't register as anything other than background action to the vast majority of people who saw the film. But those who've spent a lot of time studying the real history of Titanic immediately recognized the scene as copied from the Frank Browne photo.

Regards,

-- Kip Henry (kip-henry@ouhsc.edu), July 17, 1999.