Expert: Popcorn Guy - 6/29/2004

Question
Now, respectfully, that answer came out of nowhere for me. A joint? Then why does he tell boys specifically to leave, and then tell them that only a filthy slut would do such a thing--and then tell them to 'get that disgusting thing out and clear the room of the stench..." It seems more like something feminine-related than a joint--which perhaps would have been instigated by the boys, and would not need to be removed from the stove.
Just my thought. My students asked me, and I said I'd research it.
Jonathan

Followup To
Question -
In "To Sir With Love", When Thackeray enters the room, the students are milling around--and he completely scolds them, sending the boys out, and calling the girls "sluts"--what is burning in the stove that they have to clear out the stench? Thackeray refers to it as "that disgusting thing." I'm using the film with a class in Japan, and they are all asking what it is.
Jonathan
Answer -
Hi, Jonathan...

I've always been under the notion that it's a joint that someone was smoking and threw in the stove... don't know why, but that was my immediate reaction when I saw it. I'll have to check the film again, and see if I notice anything else to the contrary...

Thanks,

PCG

Answer
Hi again, Jonathan...

Well, I went back and watched that scene again after I got your follow-up, and, you are correct - he does specify that the males leave. I had never paid attention to that detail before... which makes me even more unsure than I was when I put the DVD in... gonna have to do some extra work on this one... you've got me puzzled now...

Thanks, and I'll let you know what I can find out...

PCG