Teacher's Pet
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Movie Reviews of Teacher's Pet
Movie Review: Post-WWII Shift in Journalism Ethos Lends Heft to an Expertly Played May-December Rom-Com
Summary: 4 Stars
Directed by George Seaton (Miracle on 34th Street), this coyly titled 1958 romantic comedy has more on its mind than mistaken identities and the May-December relationship at its core. Running a bit too long at 120 minutes, it's actually an intriguing look at the shifting journalism ethos of the late 1950's when hardcore, Front Page-style newspapermen were begrudgingly making way for reporters with college degrees. It should come as no surprise that Clark Gable represents the former as Jim Gannon, the no-nonsense editor of the fictitious New York Evening Chronicle, at odds with journalism teacher Erica Kane played with sophisticated élan by Doris Day, who was just embarking on her most fruitful period as an actress with her near-classic pairings with Rock Hudson soon to follow.
Written by Fay and Michael Kanin, the plot has the self-made Gannon bristling at the thought of lecturing at Kane's night school journalism class. When his boss forces him, Gannon reconsiders when he sees that Kane is a pretty blonde but is soon forced to take on the identity of wallpaper salesman Jim Gallagher when she humiliates him by reading out loud to her class the nasty letter he wrote her. The ruse continues as Gannon decides to prove that journalism classes are a sham and that nothing replaces the first-hand experience of working in a newsroom. Things get complicated when he becomes her star pupil and sees his competition for Kane's affections, the dapper Dr. Hugo Pine, a self-effacing overachiever who happens to be a much-published psychologist, an expert mambo dancer, a polyglot, and a smooth bongo player. You can pretty much figure out the rest.
As Gannon/Gallagher, the 57-year-old Gable was near the end of his career, and he looks tired and paunchy here. Fortunately, he provides enough of his recognizable swagger and snap to get away with the hard-boiled aspects of the role. At this point in her career, Day had already moved securely away from the lightweight musical comedies that were her forte and into leading lady parts with surprising aplomb. Underneath the manicured schoolteacher veneer, she brings a wholesome yet mature sexiness to Kane that makes the age gap between her and Gable less of an issue than one would expect. Playing his standard role of third wheel, Gig Young does an agile turn as the too-good-to-be-true Dr. Pine. Nick Adams (who would attempt to seduce Day the following year as a carefree college boy in Pillow Talk) has a small part as Barney, the copy boy desperate to become a reporter, while Marilyn Monroe-wannabe Mamie Van Doren has a memorable bit as Gannon's showgirl squeeze. That is indeed a young Marion Ross (later Mrs. Cunningham of Happy Days) as Kane's secretary Katy. There are no extras with the 2005 DVD.
Movie Review: UNDERVALUED FILM ON JOURNALISM
Summary: 4 Stars
While anyone seeing a film with Doris Day and Clark Gable can reasonably expect a comedy, most will get a bonus for their viewing pleasure: a contest between the "old" journalism and the "new" newsroom. Gable represents the old and Day teaches the new. An amalgam here is welcome, and in the process we learn something about how to research and write a good news story and feature.
The relationship between Day and Gig Young is humorous and provides additional conflict for the story, but as usual, at the heart of a George Seaton film is really an important lesson of life. Seaton was one of our most udervalued writer-directors. See also Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Apartment for Peggy (1948--not yet on DVD), The Country Girl (1954), and The Counterfeit Traitor (1962), among others.
Movie Review: Clever script (+) fine actors (+) cut them loose (=) quality product
Summary: 4 Stars
Whatever flaws this film may have aren't even worth mentioning. There is sensuality floating around all over the place, how much you're picking up depends on where your head is at. It's everywhere, but mostly very subtle. It's cute, smart, funny, and a tease. Doris Day in her prime could sponge water out of a couch cushion and guys would line up to drink it. You can tell they're really having fun in this film, they're playing with the camera,.....you. And there is a well delivered romantic and sentimental effect to balance the equation, and leave a warm feeling inside. Fine actors who really know what they're doing is what makes this film, that and clever dialogue.
Movie Review: Silly, but entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
Doris Day is great as usual, but my wife and I found Clark Gable to be a little annoying---too slapstick, too harsh, and unconvincing. But still, the story line is fun and amusing, and the restaurant scene with Day, Gable, and Gig Young is a riot.Movie Review: teacher's pet
Summary: 4 Stars
an enjoyable,riotous and fun to watch movie.clark gable gives a briliant performance as the over the hill editor with designs on the young and beautiful doris day,half his age.