What We Don't See/Notice

 I watched parts of YELLOWSTONE and as a result I started watching 1883 which is supposed to tell the story of the family gave birth to the Yellowstone family...  whatever their name was...  I am not sure if I like 1883 or not, but after watching several episodes, it does capture your attention where you would like to know what is going to happen next.

With that said, there are parts of the movie that we tend to overlook for one reason or another...  and, those are the points about which I would like to comment.

My first thought is that people in 1883 did not have incredibly white teeth...  but, it seems like all the actors and actresses regardless of how they are dressed or what part they are supposed to play have perfectly white teeth.

Along with white teeth, is the fact that many of the actors and actresses have perfectly washed and parted hair...  except for the cowboys...  and, I just don't see how something like that would be possible back in 1883 even if you were not a cowboy.

Obviously, the people of 1883 took baths in the nearest river, but there is no signs of soap around when they do get into the water to bathe.  And, along with that thought is the fact that all the women (that are shown in a certain light) have no underarm hair.  I'm sure they removed underarm hair back in 1883 but when you are on the trail going from Tennessee to Oregon, I just cannot believe that shaving under one's arms is a priority.

Curiously, toilet paper in America was invented in in 1857 by a man named Joseph Gayetty but it was not until 1883 that toilet paper as we know it today (on the roll) was patented.

Consequently, would the wagon train have stocked up on toilet paper as well as food and clothes to make the journey to Oregon?  Those wagons can only hold so much.

When I was in the Boy Scouts in the 1950s we would go camping in the Appalachian Mountains and we WOULD NOT take toilet paper.  We dug holes in the ground and used leaves or pine needles.

In 1883, the land they were crossing was basically dirt and rock...  so, it is going to be difficult to dig a hole, plus there are no leaves so these pioneers must be using sand to wipe their butts.

I realize that we go to the movies for entertainment not to study history but I always wondered what it would be like to watch a movie that took place in the late 1800s and see it being historically accurate.