Rare but valuable. I'd hate to think that mature women can get away with anything once they hit that magic fortieth birthday.
I have never seen the Roots spanking except in the stills.
As for McClintock, that paddling belies the idea that only younger women have any fun. Early on in the film, as we all know, Patrick Wayne spanks Stephanie Foster, and it seems as though that has to do with her immaturity, not her maturity. McClintock, as father figure, participates indirectly in that he gives his future son-in-law the paddle to do the deed. The paddle, in this instance, prevents Patrick from spanking her wriggling bottom directly, and makes this spanking basically parental, not erotic. If this were the only spanking in the movie, it would seem to show that only "child women" get a spanking.
The famous spanking seems to reverse that. First, the scene purposely rips O'Hara's clothing from her back, piece by piece, to leave her dressed in pantaloons. Then, it sends her into that pool of water. When she emerges, we see what a superb figure she really possess, those delicious breasts and slender waist. If you have any doubts that an older woman can be sexy, the director wants to dispell them (incidentally, the director IS Patrick Wayne).
Then, after her immersion, she collides with Patrick Wayne. At that point, anyone with a good VCR can see that she's basically wearing see-through clothing, and what a site to see. I've often wondered why Wayne didn't write himself in a swat or two at the point since she did run into his arms. His actions at this point neither help nor hinder her escape from her fate.
Finally, she hides in that little shop prior to the spanking itself. If we hadn't noticed her body before, the director calls attention to it by having her cover herself when the erstwhile maid and her fiancee see her: "Mrs. McClintock, are you setting a new style?"
As for the spanking itself, it's sad that a cut took place before the actual paddling. Had she still been as wet as in the prior scenes, this would've been all of the more exciting.
During the paddling, some other interesting things happen. Ms. McClintock claims:
"If I ever get through this humiliation, you'll rue the day you ever met me." The message that sends is not that she rues the spanking itself, which she apparently expects, but that it will take place in public. All will see her experiencing something that maybe should be a BIT more private (like Beckie's). There are no comments that she's "too old for a spanking," the usual thing that younger girls say. Nor does she protest "Let me put my clothes on." She realizes that she is provided a certain entertainment for all.
During the actual spanking, McClintock's friend makes a comment that "My father would be proud of you." His father had allegedly spoken about the need for a spanking for children. However, he addresses that remark, from his stance, not to Wayne, but Mrs. McClintock. In other words, his father would approve her public receipt of a spanking or the public display that accompanies it. To which Wayne responds, "I'll make him prouder," which he follows by swats. Clearly he believes that by giving a particularly deserved spanking he will somehow enhance her reputation. As what? As a good sport, as someone still able to excite the audience (and him), as someone still exciting enough to spank.
Then, there are the spectators. It's no accident that the first three are all young girls. They register, not alarm, but approval and laughter. Any girl, they seem to say, should be able to take a spanking. Becky follows with the crowd.
We don't hear an "Oh mother, you're naked," or "Leave her alone." It's more like "You go for it."
The women in the audience, also, seem to enjoy the spanking. They might be just enjoying the humiliation of Ms. McClintock, or they might be approving the methods of Mr. McClintock, down to, note this, not allowing her to dress and purposely making her spanking in public. Yet approve and enjoy they do a public spectacle.
As for the men in the audience, they too, enjoy this event. McClintock's friend offers verbal approval. McClintock's future son-in-law vicariously participates by handing McClintock the coal shovel so that he can more effectively spank his pantalooned wife. Initially, McClintock intended to hand spank his wife (which would've been exciting in WET pantaloons), and only opted for the later choice when offered.
The ending of the movie, of course, only encourages this view. Mrs. McClintock does not, as one would suspect, run off to put on her clothes, but runs home.
The message of the movie, then, is that a spanking is an exciting, public, fun, erotic event. The entire community should share in it.
Not only that, age doesn't matter. An older woman can be just as exciting, even more exciting than a younger one.