Expression: "He had a swell time in the beautiful America."

[Tom]

Hi

Could you please tell me which of the following sentences is correct and natural?

[Pamela]

Hi Tom,

I'll try again.

IMO, either sentence is correct.

1. He had a swell time in beautiful America- your sentence is general
2. Requires a specific context(maybe, the author describes America at some period in the past). 'The' is a restrictive article.

[Inga]

Articles are always difficult, but I don't think you need any of them here.
_________________
I am an incurable optimist.

[Lost_Soul]

In my opinion, Pamela is right and you can use "the", but I would further specify what America I'm talking about:
I had a swell time in the beautiful America of 1920s.
Just my 2 cents

PS: let's see what real Americans have to say on the subject

[Tom]

Hi

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic25623.html

Tom

[Yankee]

Hi Tom

To me, lost_soul's observation is right on the money.
.

[Haihao]

1. He had a swell time in beautiful America. -> Two facts: 1. He had a swell time in America; 2. America is beautiful.

2. He had a swell time in the beautiful America. -> One fact: He had a swell time in the days of so called the beautiful America.

IMO & M2C