TEACHER'S PET
US, 1958, 120 minutes, Black and white.
Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young, Mamie van Doren, Nick Adams, Jack Albertson.
Directed by George Seaton.
Teacher’s Pet is an entertaining battle of the sexes. It sounds like a Katharine Hepburn- Spencer Tracy film – and was, in fact, written by Michael Kanin, writer of the original screenplay of Woman of the Year (with Hepburn and Tracy as sports journalists).
Doris Day and Clark Gable seems an unusual casting. However, Gable towards the end of his career also starred with Sophia Loren in It Started in Naples. Doris Day had moved from light musicals to dramas and comedies with such leading men as David Niven (Please Don’t Eat the Daisies), Richard Widmark (Tunnel of Love), Rex Harrison (Midnight Lace) as well as comedies with Cary Grant and Rock Hudson. Gig Young received an Oscar nomination for his best supporting actor role – and was to win ten years later for They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
The film has the stereotype of the self-made tough editor-journalist who does not approve of college-educated reporters. He is asked to help out with a professor’s journalism class. He does so without revealing who he is – and the professor has a disdain for the editor whom she knows only by reputation. Needless to say …
The film was directed by George Seaton who had written quite a number of fine films himself including Miracle on 34th Street which has become a classic. He also wrote the screenplay for The Song of Bernadette as well as The Big Lift and The Country Girl. He directed quite a number of films including The Counterfeit Traitor and Airport.
1. The indications of the title for comedy? The light touch and irony?
2. The black and white photography? The New York atmosphere and location? The starring of Clark Grable and Doris Day and this impact?
3. How strongly was this a New York comedy? New York types and sophistication? Sophisticated humour and the humorous light touch?
4. How important was the filling-in of the newspaper world? The details of the office, the compiling of the paper, the various speeches about newspaper morale, the type of training for newspapermen?
5. The contrast with the University background? The different atmosphere, rooms, training, style of classes and study?
6. Comment on the way the film explored the theme of the self-made man versus the trained man. How important was this for understanding the characters and the film's message?
7. The film's light comment on the relationships between men and women?
8. The film's comment on psychology and its value for advising people, for their understanding themselves?
9. The importance of making concessions in conflict? The nature of lies and of the truth?
10. How attractive a hero was Gannon? The initial seeing him with Mrs Kovak, with Barney? His life and work as a newspaperman, his explanation of himself and his background? His work with the editors? His relationship with the boss? His fascination with Erica? Why did he go into the situation and stay there? What changed him?
ll. What happened to Gannon? The tough American image changed by tha feminine touch? The quality of love?
12. The impact of Erica? Was she credible at the University? Her newspaper background and style? Her enthusiasms, writing the book, collaborating with Dr Pine? How did the impact of Gannon change her? The effect of not knowing the truth? Her reaction to the truth? Her facing the reality about her father and his work?
13. The insights of the film about mutual relationships and love? Clashes?
14 How important was Hugo as a character in the film? Highlighting the personality of Erica? A foil for Gannon? The importance of the nightclub scene? advice and helping Gannon?
15. Comment on the nightclub scene and its importance for the film? Revealing character and interactions?
16. How well did the film use the conventions of light romance?
17. The character of Peggy? The musical touch and the contrast with Erica?
18. How enjoyable are films like this? How cheerful, wise, humane?
