Circa 1970, there was a movie that showed up annually on our local analog TV network. It was called "Cat Ballou" with Jane Fonda.

It was almost a family ritual to watch it. Mom, Dad, four kids, and sometimes young cousins who were visiting.

Watching that movie as an adult, it's not hard to see the sexual innuendos in this comedy, even though there were no nudity or passion scenes.

Yet it was an enjoyable movie for kids to watch--even though the sexual innuendos went over our heads.

I now see Cat Ballou as a very clever movie. It allows kids to keep their innocence while entertaining them yet be entertaining for adults who understand more of how life really works.

So to answer the question: "No we do not need explicit sex scenes to create good art." Even art about sex.