Teacher's Pet

Plot

On the first day of the new school year, the Our Gang children are distraught to learn their favorite teacher, Miss McGillicuddy, has married and left. Expecting her replacement, Miss Crabtree, to be a mean-spirited 'old hag' based solely on her name, the kids—led by Jackie—concoct a series of elaborate pranks involving red ants, sneezing powder, and a white mouse. On his way to school, Jackie hitches a ride with a beautiful young woman and, unaware she is the new teacher, boasts about the 'system' of tricks they have prepared to drive her away. The tension peaks in the classroom when Jackie realizes his kind driver is Miss Crabtree, leading to a heartfelt moment of remorse where she forgives the children with a surprise party of ice cream and cake.

Historical Background

Produced during the early 'Talkie' era, 'Teacher's Pet' reflects the film industry's rapid adaptation to synchronized sound. It was released during the onset of the Great Depression, providing affordable escapism for families. Notably, the 'Our Gang' series was one of the few mainstream entertainment properties of the 1930s to feature a racially integrated cast where Black and White children played together as equals, a progressive stance during the Jim Crow era.

Making Of

Director Robert F. McGowan was known for his ability to coax natural performances out of children by treating them as 'little adults' rather than stage actors. During the filming of the ride to school, the audio recording was notoriously difficult due to the primitive mobile sound equipment of 1930, resulting in some slight distortion in surviving prints. The chemistry between Jackie Cooper and June Marlowe was genuine; Marlowe later recalled that Cooper actually had a bit of a 'schoolboy crush' on her during production, which McGowan utilized to enhance the realism of the emotional scenes.

Visual Style

Art Lloyd utilized a mix of studio sets and authentic Los Angeles locations. The use of deep focus in the classroom scenes allowed for multiple sight gags to happen simultaneously in the foreground and background, such as the children's reactions to the loose ants.

Innovations

The film is notable for its 'talking titles'—a creative solution to the transition from silent to sound film where actors introduced the cast and crew verbally. It also demonstrated sophisticated location sound recording for 1930, despite the inherent challenges of filming in a moving vehicle.

Music

The score features the debut of 'Good Old Days' by Leroy Shield. Other notable tracks by Shield included in the film are 'Crabtree' (also known as 'Girl & Stick'), 'Ezra', and 'Little Dancing Girl'. The music is jazz-influenced and serves to punctuate the comedic timing of the children.

Memorable Scenes

• The 'Double Take' Scene: Jackie's face when he walks into the classroom and realizes the beautiful woman who gave him a ride is actually the 'Crabtree' he was just insulting.
• The Sneezing Powder Incident: Farina accidentally releases the powder, causing the entire class (and the teacher) to erupt into a synchronized sneezing fit.
• The Ending: Miss Crabtree finding a sobbing Jackie under a tree and offering him a plate of cake and ice cream, signaling her forgiveness.

What Critics Said

At the time of release, critics praised the film for its 'naturalism' and the move away from the exaggerated acting styles of the silent era. Modern critics often cite it as the pinnacle of the 'Jackie Cooper era' of Our Gang, noting the surprisingly tender ending which balances the earlier chaotic pranks. It maintains a high reputation among film historians for its technical polish and emotional resonance.

What Audiences Thought

The film was an immediate hit with audiences, making Miss Crabtree a household name and turning Jackie Cooper into a major child star. The 'Miss Crabtree' trilogy (Teacher's Pet, School's Out, and Love Business) remains the most beloved sequence in the entire 22-year run of the franchise for many fans.

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