In the tornado scene, what was the name of the character who saved Newt........then screws him? lol. She looked like a young Oprah Winfrey.
shareThat was "Big Maybelle". She looked better than Oprah imo. She wasn't even big, she was thick. She reminded me of Dawn from En Vogue.
shareAgreed. She did resemble Dawn, making her a LOT hotter than Oprah.
Instead of calling this movie "The Learning Tree," maybe Parks should have titled it "Tornado of '26" (as it was an African-American version of "Summer of '42!).
Sparky48 says > Instead of calling this movie "The Learning Tree," maybe Parks should have titled it "Tornado of '26" (as it was an African-American version of "Summer of '42!).Maybe you meant this comment in a 'tongue in cheek' way but I have to disagree with the title you suggested. First, the storm and what happened was a very brief moment in the film. Also, while they're both coming of age movies and I enjoyed both, this movie is about so much more than a kid hanging out for the summer with his friends; all obsessed with having sex.
As you said, my statement was tongue-in-cheek. I was just being facetious.
shareBig Mabel provided him with body heat - there was no sex that was just rumored. If that had been the case, he would pressured his girlfriend for sex.
sharerrodriguezcpa says > Big Mabel provided him with body heat - there was no sex that was just rumored.I agree with your assessment of what occurred with Mabel. Her reputation and possible occupation had more to do the speculation than what actually happened. She took Newt's and her own clothing off because she and Newt had gotten wet in the storm. He was kind of out of it so she took off his clothes for him. Leaving him there in wet clothing would not have made any sense.
If that had been the case, he would pressured his girlfriend for sex.I disagree with this statement. Even if Newt had prior sexual experience it does not mean he would have pressured Arcella to have sex. He seemed to genuinely like her and wasn't trying to use her as Chauncy obviously had. Even today, there's still a very distinct difference in how decent boys and men treat girls and women. They are more likely to use a girl for sex if they don't have feelings for her or respect her as a person. It usually directly correlates to how much respect the girl has for herself.
Actually, it was a sexual. Read the book, which gave a more explicit depiction of this scene.
shareI am formerly known as HillieBoliday....Member since May 2006
It was his first sexual encounter; and it is based on the life of author, director of the film; Gordon Parks.
This was the first major studio feature film directed by an African-American.
Saw this during it's initial release iñ theatres....And still have a copy of the book and DVD in my library...One of my absolute favorites.
"OOhhhooo....I'M GON' TELL MAMA!"
This scene was open to interpretation and did leave me wondering what happened and if Newt was even fully aware of what happened. Interesting to know the book clarified that.
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