The Charles Laughton section was the first I saw of this film when it was run at The National film Theatre in London in the 60s.
It seems there were two versions of this part made. For the US all Laughton does is blow a large raspberry (Bronx Cheer for those in the US). In a version that was, presumably, made for the British audiences he also does a perfect V sign (palm back) which is the equivalent of 'the finger' in the US.
Was this because the Americans did not understand the meaning of the V sign or was it to avoid offending their sensibilities. We will probably never know. Either way it a marvellous part of the film.
It seems there were two versions of this part made. For the US all Laughton does is blow a large raspberry (Bronx Cheer for those in the US). In a version that was, presumably, made for the British audiences he also does a perfect V sign (palm back) which is the equivalent of 'the finger' in the US.
Was this because the Americans did not understand the meaning of the V sign or was it to avoid offending their sensibilities. We will probably never know. Either way it a marvellous part of the film.