THE DUCHESS AND THE DIRTWATER FOX

US, 1976, 104 minutes, Colour.
George Segal, Goldie Hawn, Conrad Janis, Thayer David, Roy Jenson, Bob Hoy.
Directed by Melvin Frank.

Subtlety is not the hallmark of this western comedy. Humour is of the vulgar variety and will depend on audience mood. There is a lot of parody of Western conventions, especially in the form of a comically wayward horse called Blackjack. Goldie Hawn and George Segal are fine comedians and do their best here, but the material is not always strong enough. When it is - especially in a hilarious, coach conversation conducted by them in pseudo-French, Italian and German and in Goldie Hawn's Duchess-like rendition of one of her saloon songs - it is excellent. Director Melvin Frank usually works with greater touches of class.

1. The value of this film for popular entertainment? Comedy styles, the picture of the West, the value of the stars, risque comedy, the blending of these for audience satisfaction?

2. The particular emphases of the title and the tone. the false values given to each character, the emphasis on each, the way that the titles were illustrated, comically and satirically?

3. The importance of colour, scenery, San Francisco locations, the outdoor West? The use of Panavision? The range of the songs from comedy to sentiment?

4. What picture of the West was offered? The farcical overtones, the familiar types, the frontier way of life and frontier values? Humorous, laughter, parody, satire? which predominated?

5. The character of Charlie, his Dirtwater Fox reputation, the unreality of his self-image. his skills and lack of skills? His reliance on his horse? An awkward cowboy? His double dealing, his robbery, ability for seduction? His going to Australia but his encounter with the Bluebird? His fascination, her resistance, the innocence of their encounter? How engaging a Western nonhero? Audience identification with him?

6. The character of Bluebird: as a performer her phoniness and false name, her encounter with Charlie, robbing him and resisting him, her buying her dress and posing as the Duchess? Seeing her singing in the dance half the contrast with her performance for the Mormons? How engaging a non-heroine? Audience identification with her? The humour of her manner and mannerisms?

7. The development of the film with the chase pattern: various episodic adventures on cliffs, boats, the stake-out in the desert, etc.? Enjoyment and parody?

8. The particular chase patterns involving various groups: the coach ride, the pursuing gang in traditional western style, the Mormon group?

9. How humorous was the portrayal of the Mormons? The lustfulness in the eye of the elder? The audition of the Duchess? The assistant and his trip in the coach with them?

10. The actions of the gang, their pursuit, their style? Typical Western? Audience enjoyment of this?

11. The atmosphere of brawls and fights expected from a Western?

12. Comment on the comedy scene in the coach with the various plays on language? Why was it so effective? The impact of the horse as a character in the film? The sequence of the prospector passing by talking with his horse?

13. The details of the parody style and the nods in the direction of serious Westerns? The couple missing the horse and falling, etc.? The quality of the dialogue, the vulgarity?

14. The contribution of the minor characters, cowboys, gamblers, hotel attendants, etc.

15. How satisfactory was the resolution? The change into romantic sentimentality?

16. The value of the film in terms of entertainment, its presuppositions in audiences about the West. and about poking fun about the West?