Freddie, the employee invited to swim, sure was a pretty man. He replies "not much" when Alison asks him if he likes girls. He admits to wanting to be a "poet" and Alison quickly calls it a night and sends him off to Paris.
Was this to be understood by the audience that he was a 'mo?
My sense is that gay characters in movies from this period tended to be more crudely drawn (closer, in fact, to Mr. Pettibone in this movie).
My take on the scene was that since Freddie did not have much experience with women, he was not going to be able to take care of Alison's needs, so there was no point in going any further. I wonder if the reference to going to Paris also implied that while he was there, he could go to a Paris brothel. They were legal there until the 1950s, and visiting them was a rite of passage for American men in some circles (like my uncle).
r13415 says > My sense is that gay characters in movies from this period tended to be more crudely drawn (closer, in fact, to Mr. Pettibone in this movie).Wow, what movie were you watching? Whatever the actor may have been, the character Mr. Pettigrew was certainly not gay. He was trying very hard to get 'cozy' with Allison's secretary and wanted to make a few 'mistakes' with her. She seemed willing but a little reluctant to become a loose woman.
My take on the scene was that since Freddie did not have much experience with women, he was not going to be able to take care of Alison's needsFreddie, on the other hand, was definitely gay. There was nothing going on there at all. Had he just been, as you say, inexperienced with women he would have at least responded physically to Allison's seduction. There was none of that. His inexperience was due to a complete lack of desire for women. He may not have figured it all out yet so she decided to send him off to Paris; which might be more to his liking.
badnomad says > Was this to be understood by the audience that he was a 'mo?For sure, he was totally gay. He had no interest in women other than in an artistic way. She saw it was pointless so she offered to send him to Paris to learn art. There he'd surely encounter his own kind.
badnomad
Freddie, the employee invited to swim, sure was a pretty man. He replies "not much" when Alison asks him if he likes girls. He admits to wanting to be a "poet" and Alison quickly calls it a night and sends him off to Paris.
No two persons ever watch the same movie.share