BLU-RAY REVIEW / SDR SCREENSHOTS
Doris Day plays Erica Stone, a journalism instructor who holds night classes. Clark Gable plays James Gannon, the hard-boiled city editor of the New York Evening Chronicle.
(Click an image to scroll the larger versions)
“TEACHER’S PET”
Blu-ray; 1958; NOT RATED
Best extra: The one extra is a commentary by film historian and writer Julie Kirgo and filmmaker Peter Hankoff
THESE DAYS, when surprises tend to be, at best, terrible, there’s nothing more welcome than a pleasant one. “Teacher’s Pet” falls into that happy category, and it comes as a surprise for several reasons.
First, it’s a ’50s movie with Doris Day and an aging Clark Gable, which might automatically suggest a cutesy, formulaic rom-com. Second, we’d expect the movie’s message, if there even is one, to be something along the lines of love conquers all. And third, we’d assume Day’s character would either be unemployed, or in some sort of “woman’s” work position, but certainly inferior to Gable’s. Prepare, therefore, to be surprised, and surprised, and surprised. Sure, this enjoyable comedy, directed by George Seaton (“Miracle on 34th Street,” “The Country Girl,” “Airport”) and written by the fine married team of Fay and Michael Kanin, contains a love story. But its arc is anything but typical; it smashes stereotypes, delivers meaningful social commentary, and gives some interesting perspectives on journalism.
Gable plays the crusty self-made newspaper editor Jim Gannon, who firmly believes that the business can’t be taught, and can only be learned on the job. To make his point, he decides to confront a college journalism instructor who has criticized one of his editorials. After he’s shocked to see that the instructor is a woman – a young and attractive one (Day as Erica Stone) – he registers as a new student under an assumed name. Right off the bat, Jim corrects something Erica says in front of her class, and then quickly (and brilliantly) completes a writing assignment.
(1) “Teacher’s Pet” opened in New York City on March 19, 1958. It received two Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Gig Young. (2) A building in Los Angeles subs for the Evening Chronicle loading dock. (3) Jack Albertson (“Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”) plays a guide, who leads a tour into the newsroom. (4) Gable was known as “The King of Hollywood” and was 56 years old during the production. He died from a heart attack in 1960. (5) Character actor Harry Antrim plays Lloyd Crowley, the managing editor, who’s upset with Gannon for refusing to speak to Ms. Stone’s journalism class.
But his plan to humiliate Erica and show her up as a fraud backfires. She graciously accepts his correction, and generously praises his writing. She also ably demonstrates her understanding of the newspaper business. Now that Jim is schooled, as well as smitten, he has to deal with Erica’s accomplished boyfriend (Gig Young).
There are a lot of laughs in “Teacher’s Pet,” in addition to its serious messages. And the fine supporting cast, which also includes Nick Adams, Jack Albertson, Mamie Van Doren, Vivian Nathan and Charles Lane, make it well worth watching. It was deservedly recognized by the Academy, with a best supporting actor Oscar nomination for Young, and a best original screenplay nod for the Kanins.
VIDEO/AUDIO
Paramount scanned the large-format VistaVision negative (1.85:1 aspect ratio) in 6K and mastered the striking black-and-white imagery in 4K. Every mark and scratch has been removed. The 1080p disc still looks great, with exceptional clarity from wide shots of the newspaper newsroom to tighter shots, accompanied by super-fine film grain.
The overall grayscale is also perfect from highlights to mid-tones to shadows. You couldn’t ask for a better presentation, except for its release in 4K Ultra HD.
The original 2.0 stereo track has been restored removing all pops, hiss, and noise. The bouncy theme song “Teacher’s Pet” is sung by? You got it, Doris Day. The dialogue is front and center, as the front soundstage has full fidelity.
(1-3) Gannon enters the classroom as Stone mockingly reads his rejection letter and the students react. (4) Gannon poses as a student, impressing the instructor with his news writing skills.
EXTRAS
The lone Kino Lorber bonus feature is unfortunately, less than satisfying. Kirgo and Hankoff spend inordinate amounts of time describing the action, and going on wild tangents, rather than providing viewers with much new information about the film. Just one example is Hankoff reading off a long list of every other movie that came out in 1958, and what awards were meted out for them. There are many such digressions, to the extent that it was necessary to fast forward through them, to get to further discussion about “Teacher’s Pet.”
What viewers will learn is that it was unusual for a movie shot in VistaVision to be in black and white. Kirgo grants that the film is a “rom-com, but with serious things to say about the power, or lack thereof, of the press.” Hankoff says that when the film was made, newspapers were still a vital industry, there were lots of them in print, and movies about them were frequent. Kirgo notes that “the newspaperman had become a stock character” in films, and also that many screenwriters began as journalists.
The two discuss the Kanins, and mention they had been blacklisted during the McCarthy era, and also that Michael was the older brother of Garson, who wrote “Born Yesterday.” During a scene in the newsroom, Hankoff points out that many of the movie’s extras were real journalists.
Talking about cast members, Kirgo describes Mamie Van Doren as the “least of the three Ms,” the other two being Mansfield and Monroe. Nick Adams, says Kirgo, went on to have a television career, but died of a drug overdose. Gig Young’s tragic end is hinted at several times, before Kirgo and Hankoff explain the murder/suicide of Young and his new bride. Day also had a several year stint doing television, but retired to become a great animal rights activist. The commentators then spend way too much time relating Day’s son’s connection to Charles Manson and the horrific murders of 1969. Kirgo concludes the commentary by lauding “Teacher’s Pet”: “Every person working in journalism today should see this movie.”
— Peggy Earle
(1) Erica is so impressed with Gannon's writing, that she advises him to quit his job as a wallpaper salesman and consider working at a newspaper. (2) Now he’s in a bind, feeling guilty because he's been so successful in fooling the instructor. (3) On a date with his girlfriend (Mamie Van Doren), Gannon spots Erica with her boyfriend Dr. Hugo Pine (Gig Young). (4) Pine shows off his many skills, which include masterful bongo drumming. (5) Gannon chats with the couple after bribing the bartender to spike Pine’s drinks. (6&7) Gannon has to figure out how to patch things up with Erica.