So we're doing Film Club. We've watched several silent films—The General, City Lights, a few others—and Duck Soup. Now we're starting the Westerns section of Film Club, and this in some ways the key to Film Club, given the importance of the western to the history of American cinema and, for that matter, the American contribution to art in general. We're starting at more or less the beginning—I thought about showing them The Great Train Robbery and might at some point but for all its historical importance, it is one incredibly long 12 minutes—with Stagecoach. Great introduction to John Wayne and John Ford and the western; with the benefit of hindsight, it really is remarkable just how many themes and motifs and tropes and even visual standards are introduced in this early classic (including what I swear is a rough draft of the famous framing shot from The Searchers).
One of which, of course—though not unique to the western, by any means—is the Hooker with the Heart of Gold. And indeed Claire Trevor is wonderful as Dallas, the woman run out of town at the beginning. There are so many good characters, quickly sketched, superbly acted. And the vistas—good lord, but some of those Arizona panoramas can just rip your heart out with their majesty.
But there are a lot of characters and the audio was sometimes a wee bit dicey, so I checked in with the youngest two a few times, just to make sure they were following. And with the exception of understandably not knowing what a whiskey drummer was, they did great.
Except for one key bit.
"Why are they all being so mean to her?" The Brawn asks. Referring, of course, to Dallas.
"She's a woman of low reputation," I say. I get a blank look in return.
"She's a lady of ill repute," I say. More blankness.
"She a prostitute," I say.
"Oh," he says. "What's a prostitute?"
"Someone who has sex for money."
"Oh," he says. And turns back to the screen.
Welcome to the Peterson Homeschool. Come for Film Club, stay for Intro to Sex Work 101.
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