Viewers have been left horrified after revisiting a classic Disney movie and realizing there’s an unbelievably inappropriate scene.
The 1994 film Blank Check follows Preston Waters, an 11-year-old boy who unexpectedly comes into possession of a blank cheque given to him by a criminal.
He proceeds to use the money to purchase extravagant items, including houses and limousine services.
While the plot itself already flirts with themes of fraud, it isn’t this premise that’s sparked outrage among viewers decades later.
The controversy centers on a subplot involving Preston and a romantic relationship with an adult woman, Shay, portrayed by Karen Duffy.
When the 11-year-old learns that money cannot buy happiness, there’s a scene in question that goes far beyond the moral lesson.
It culminates in a moment where Preston and Shay share a kiss – not a quick peck, but a kiss on the lips.
The situation becomes more unsettling when Shay, a bank teller and undercover FBI agent, tells Preston she’ll date him in six years.
This promise would place Preston at just 17 years old, still far younger than Shay, who was played by a 31-year-old actress at the time of filming, who would be 37 at the time of their ‘date.’
The scene has sparked heated discussions on social media, with many expressing their disbelief.
One viewer writes: “I remember rewatching this movie one night and seeing this scene coming up and thinking to myself, ‘She’s going to kiss him on the cheek like they usually do,’ and then my jaw hitting the floor when she actually kissed him on the lips. I didn’t remember this at all from when I was a child. Unbelievable.”
Another person comments: “This was messed up even in its day.”
“Nobody on set was like, ‘On the lips? Are you sure about this?’” questions a third.
Somebody else shares: “As I continue to rewatch movies from my childhood, I find myself constantly thinking, ‘Ohh, that wouldn’t fly today.’”
Meanwhile, others are downplaying the issue and framing it as harmless or reflective of its time.
However, such perspectives risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes that young boys should welcome inappropriate attention from older women.
Lead actor Brian Bonsall, who portrayed the young boy, has actually addressed the backlash in a Facebook post.
“I had an absolute blast filming this movie!” he wrote. “Everyone was a joy to work with, and it’s awesome to see so many people still enjoy it!”
Despite Bonsall’s nostalgic recollections, many have called for Blank Check to be removed from streaming platforms.
While some argue against revisiting older movies with a modern lens, others believe it is essential to acknowledge and address problematic content.
