MovieChat Forums > Bless the Beasts & Children (1971) Discussion > Cotton Confusion

Cotton Confusion

posted 17 years ago by bengal296
13 replies | jump to latest

I saw this film back in the mid-70's and I was sort of disappointed with the ending. I liked the fact that the author (Swarthout) left us guessing on Cotton's demise. Here the film tries to shock us, but I thought it was a cheap shot myself. And what was with that guy who played Cotton anyway? I swear, if the Bedwetters were the Peanuts Gang, then Cotton would have been Lucy! I thought he was so BITCHY! The book's Cotton seemed so much more level-headed! Even one of my English Teachers (we did the book/movie thing in school) thought that Cotton acted like a "fairy". I just wonder did that kid acted that way on purpose, or was he really like that? I'm not a homo-phobe or anything, but I'm just trying to figure it out. I see that some of the reviews favored him, but I think that the casting department could have done a better job picking someone else.

[–] peggyyax 17 years ago

So who cares whether Barry Robins was gay or not? The Cotton character was exaggerated to make the movie much more interesting. If the film copied the book to the exact letter, then the movie would have been boring. Stanley Kramer was notorious for bringing controversy to the fore--he made films that people were willing to discuss, and "Bless the Beasts" was no exception. It's also obvious that you don't know anything about Barry's background. He was an accomplished stage actor and this was his first major motion picture role. How would you feel if you were an inexperienced film actor working with one of the most infamous names in the industry? I'm sure if Kramer said "jump", then you would jump and not ask questions. If you want to slam anything, slam the writing. In my opinion, the script needed a major overhaul. But even if Barry was homosexual in real life, then that didn't make him a bad person. On the contrary, it made him more suitable for the Cotton character. Barry had a natural tendency to be compassionate towards others, and this was a vital component needed to bring such a important role to life.

[–] elizabeth-49 17 years ago

Regarding "Cotton", first of all, the actor was not a "KID"!!! He was 26 years old when he played the part of "Cotton" in "Bless the Beasts and Children". I have seen the movie so many times and that never crossed my mind. I think you are equating emotion with femininity...because if you really knew the character, there is NO WAY he could have been played as a "level-headed" personality! Cotton was a young person full of emotional rage and confusion and what he was able to do well was show his strength to the other campers in order for them to continue. He was not meant to be some level-headed leader "I'll organize this field trip and let's free the buffalo" character! Maybe you and your English teacher have some pre-conceived notion about homosexuals. I have NEVER heard my brother be described as a "fairy" - not even sure exactly what you mean....but nobody in my family or even life-long friends ever had any idea he was a gay man. It was only until later years that we knew...but nothing about him ever gave us that impression and nothing in his performance as "Cotton" made me or anyone else I know think that. I think he was the ONLY actor who could have played that role so flawlessly. And although my brother never was faced with freeing any buffalo in his real life, a lot of the way he was (passionate about things, sometimes a little crazy!!)seemed to be thread into the Cotton role.

[–] JasonAHeath 15 years ago

Hey elizabeth-49,

I just bought the VHS of this movie on ebay.
It was a movie that I remembered clearly from my childhood.
One of the few that I identified with growing up.

Of all the characters I read about, watched on television or the movies, Cotton was one that I always remembered.
I watched the movie again last night for the first time in over 20 years, and even though I knew how it ended, I still teared up.

Your brother was a gifted actor, though I am *floored* that he was 26!
Wow.

I will be sharing this movie with my children.
The social issues touched on in the movie are as relevant today as ever.

I would gladly recommend this film to anyone.

[–] MrPie7 15 years ago

"nothing in his performance as "Cotton" made me or anyone else I know think that."

Surely, you jest. The first 5 minutes of his performance I was thinking "GAY". When my wife and I were watching this film about a year ago (I DO like it) she said about "Cotton" , "Boy is he gay!" after 60 seconds. Not to demean your brother in any way but PUL-eaze! If these were his natural mannerisms and demeanor then you and your circle are oblivious. Like those old ladies who used to love Liberace. They believed him when after Merv Griffin would ask him, "Lee, how come you never married?" Liberace would turn on that smile and say, "You know Merv, I just never met the right woman."

[–] snotjello 15 years ago

Speaking as a gay man, I think it's rather fragile of society that we've gotten to the point of gasping in horror if someone says that a person "seems gay". I really don't think of it as an offense, unless it's obviously intended to be offensive. Now, sometimes it can reveal a persons ignorance about the subject, but I don't believe it's necessary to jump to the defensive. Hell, nobody's getting torqued over the apparent assumption that most everyone else in the movie ISN'T gay, that they "seem straight".

When I attempt to strike up a relationship with someone, at some point I have to make an assumption about them. I'm probably not going to approach them at all unless they "seem gay" to me. I'll venture a guess that straight people work roughly the same way.

That being said, I didn't get that impression from Robins' potrayal of Cotton. I think a summation of the characteristics he employs with the character as "gay" reveals greater exposure to poorly conceived stereotypes than to actual gay people.

Now, having said that, I did find the portrayal of Cotton to be creepy, especially toward the beginning of the film. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it was very fitting for the character.

[–] MrPie7 15 years ago

I think the "creepiness" of the character stems from what borders on an incestous relationship with his mother. I mean, she seems to be flirting with him as she gets ready for her date.

[–] rascal67 12 years ago

I saw a 16mm print of this during a school holiday at a local high school in NZ in the late 70's sometime—I would have been around 11 or 12 years old. The film had an R13 rating in NZ but they let kids in anyway. Saw it again a few years later when I was attending the same high school—was part of the curriculum.

Loved the film and have never forgotten it and was tranfixed by the Cotton character most of all. Even at my young age I could see that GAY was exuded in the performance and by the actor playing him. I mean no disrepect to you elizabeth-59 and I realise that by reading some of your posts that you were quite young when this film was made; but it does seem a little naive when you say that those close to Barry never got that impression. It was an era of denial I suppose.

Your brother gave an awesome performance and from reading more about him on these threads, a wonderful and gifted talented human being. It is a pity that he didn't appear in more films. At least we have this film to remember him by.

[–] Darthfrodo58 10 years ago

I watched this movie again (on television) after not having seen it for nearly 30 years. It resonates on so many levels with so many people, that I have to say, if you aren't affected by it, you just don't have that type of personality.

When I was growing up I had friends (Nephews of the great illustrator Stan Lynde) who lived on a buffalo ranch in MT. Now, as you may have guessed, buffalo aren't the smartest creatures in the world, but I still cringe when I see them being shot in this movie (I realize none were actually shot for the benefit of this film) as I've lived near buffalo (Both wild and domestic) for a large portion of my life. They're pretty much like cattle, only bigger and ornerier.

I like this film because, if you've ever felt like an outsider, ever been picked on by a crowd, or tried unsuccessfully to live up to what you think your parents expectations are, this movie is relatable. I've been a fan of Billy Mumy since 'Lost in Space'. The wonderful performance of Barry Robins is showcased near the end of the film when he starts to lose it trying to free the herd (Cotton's desperation at living up to his father's leadership is gut wrenching). I find it tragic that Barry died so young. I can say that I was honestly moved by the generous comments left here by those who knew him. My condolences go out to his family, and my admiration to his sister Elizabeth for dealing with the insensitive comments left here by some.

[–] bjlevine 11 years ago

Getting back to the original question, I too was really put off by the portrayal of Cotton. In the book, he was a young man with a lot of suppressed anger. But he was never that outwardly emotional (even when raging it was all very internal). Externally, he was always in control. Sorry, but I have to agree that the portrayal of Cotton was the worst thing about the movie.

"Oh no...they sent the wrong Spock!"

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mel-holden 9 years ago

I also disliked his bossiness, but figured he was trying to follow in his father's footsteps by 'leading his troops'

[–] aprince539 9 years ago

The pivotal role of Cotton as portrayed spot on in the film-bravely and exactly as written in the book-as having emotional problems that were bravely covered by his trying to control everything with his love of his father's military precision.Taking his friends under his protection and thus trying to protect the buffalo and make sense out of a world that would just as soon destroy anything it saw as useless. A stand out and some thought award winning performance.There was no doubt that Cotton was killed in the book.

[–] mstanley-1 8 years ago

Agreed. In the book Cotton and the truck go over cliff. The last thing the others see is his red hair as he disappears into a canyon. Not vague at all.