MovieChat Forums > Fools' Parade (1971) Discussion > Why would he put a suitcase of dynamite ...

Why would he put a suitcase of dynamite under the hooker's bed?

posted 14 years ago by nigelfans
2 replies | jump to latest

The Jimmy Stewart character is in the brothel and still carrying a suitcase full of dynamite. He's been carrying it for some time and could have dropped it off anywhere. I would suggest he should have dropped it after getting off of the train.

But no. He brings it into the brothel and before they get into the boat he says, "I guess I can leave this here".

He leaves a suitcase full of dynamite under a prostitute's bed. A prostitute who he wants to accompany them and later goes back for because he fears she's been shot.

Why on earth would he leave the dynamite there? The only reason is because it sets up the later plot device of the madam shooting the suitcase and it detonating. That was also a weak point because she didn't check to see if there's any money in the suitcase until after they left. This is ridiculous.

Poor writing.

[–] Kex 14 years ago

I'll not argue about the validity of the writing but having lived in the area when this movie was being filmed I'll mention that the actual blowing up of the house boat for the movie was a big deal.

[–] layton59 10 years ago

I think he left it behind because Council was breathing down their neck and taking it on a cramped rowboat would have gotten them caught.

Additionally he may have wanted a reason to come back save the girl from her prison.

Also dynamite should not get wet, which may have been in his thinking.

Of course, I understand the point you are making.

Doing x and y just so they can get z (z being an explosion destroying the houseboat).

If you think about it every movie ever made has a little of that happening.

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