[1] „Cole is confronted by the sheriff's daughter, Billee. […] This leads to a wildly inappropriate comic-rape, in which Billee kicks and screams but soon willingly surrenders to Cole's charms. […] Further, when Copperud learns of this, he easily forgives Cole because, well, his daughter is gorgeous. Produced just prior to the introduction of the MPAA's official rating system, Waterhole #3 was released at a time of newfound permissiveness, when formerly taboo subjects could actually be discussed and to some degree shown in mainstream Hollywood movies, and the business about the rape was a byproduct of that transitional period. Looking at it now, it doesn't seem so much as offensive as simply embarrassing, like watching an eight-year-old child tell his first dirty joke to a bunch of his pals. You can almost hear the filmmakers snickering at their allegedly clever offensiveness – Cole calls the deed "assault with a friendly weapon," which makes me wonder if any real rapists ever quoted Coburn in their defense.“
[2] „Waterhole No. 3, advertised as a Western comedy, is approximately as hilarious, as a pail of limp grits. […] Another problem is the […] disproportionate amount of, well dirty stuff. […] There's certainly nothing wrong with humor based on sex. […] But the recent Coburn movies spoil the fun with their smirks and leers and raised eyebrows. If they'd only joke out in the open, we'd laugh; but they seem to prefer a sly and almost obscene approach.“
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Archivlink (Memento vom 26. August 2011 im Internet Archive) „Cole's sexual assault of the sheriff's daughter conjured up a question I would never have thought to ask: Should rape be portrayed as a jocular activity, or even as a subject of satire? Sure, Billee Copperud seemed willing enough to submit to Lewton Cole's advances after a perfunctory struggle; but the whole thing leaves a bad aftertaste, and it becomes a running gag throughout the rest of the film. For example, Billee's father is more concerned about the theft of his prized horse than about his daughter's complaint of rape, and Cole cracks wise about his conquest to sheriff Copperud, whose attitude seems to be "boys will be boys." In answer to my own question: The subject might be suitable for a black comedy, but it doesn't work here.“
