Deliberate mistake: In the orphanage scene, Santa's bag drops dead center in the fireplace. The noise of the impact gets baby Buddy's attention in a quick shot, and the camera shifts back to the fireplace. Now, the bag has shifted to the viewer's left when Santa's boots are coming down. The shift of the bag is presumably to make room for the boots coming down the chimney.
Elf (2003)
1 deliberate mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart
Other mistake: When Buddy's brother is reading Santa's list he reads the newscaster's wish he looks and mutters something about letters meaning they were in alphabetical order. However when he is saying random names he does not turn the page and the names are not in alphabetical order. (01:23:00)
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Suggested correction: After he says each name, it cuts to that person and their reaction. Most of which was done without going back to Michael. Therefore, we can't say he didn't turn the pages.
Buddy: We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup.
Trivia: The character Jovie originally didn't sing in the script. Her singing was added after director Jon Favreau found out that actress Zooey Deschanel was a talented singer/songwriter.
Question: Did Will Ferrell have a stand-in for the mailroom dancing?
Answer: Yes.