I just found that pretty bizarre moment. I suppose that it wasn't as commonly used word those days and I probably can't really understand what life was like back then, but still it's just very bizarre moment.
Panties were missing because they were violently ripped from rape victim and people found that funny? Unless everyone who laughed believed that the woman was lying (which I doubt), it just seems rather cruel reaction.
This of course was a different time.
I think maybe back then panties was more a term for children Something you only said in your home not in public
much less in court.
This was based on a book and Preminger was notorious for pushing the censors.
Especially in this movie.
When I think of how it was back then, and the words that weren't said in public, this movie was even too adult for the adults!
shareWell.. consider how Laura was dressed for most of the non-court scenes... That was considered risqué at the time... Today, only a granny would dress so modestly... Many don't!
So you can imagine that saying the word "panties" in a formal place such as a court of law would encourage a few chuckles...
"Panties" was a commonly used word at that time, but not in a formal setting like a courtroom. The people were laughing at the use of the informal term, not at the plight of the allegedly raped woman.
share1950s, my guess is the laughter came from the time period. Much more conservative place
I did, however, find the laughing distasteful because the word was uttered in the context of rape.