quote:Originally posted by InsideTrack:
The short story that this movie is based on, comes from Jean Shepherd's collection: "In God We Trust All Others Pay Cash"
In the conclusion of the book when the reminiscing friends call it a day, Shepherd (Ralph) mentions that their friend Schwartz, was ". . . shot down over Italy. They never found the body."
The book makes it clear that this is the depression, just prior to WW2.
I guess that settles that.