Blackboard Jungle

 Blackboard Jungle 1955

• Director: Richard Brooks
• Seen by this director: Looking for Mr Goodbar, In Cold Blood, Lord Jim, Elmer Gantry, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
• Based on the novel by Evan Hunter
• Cast: Glenn Ford, Sidney Poitier, Anne Francis, Margaret Hayes, Vic Morrow
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Glenn Ford – Teahouse of the August Moon, probably others
• Sidney Poitier – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, In the Heat of the Night, To Sir with Love, A Patch of Blue, Paris Blues, Good-bye My Lady
• Anne Francis – The Forbidden Planet, TV series
• Why? Sidney Poitier (20 February 1927 – 6 January 2022) RIP
• Seen: 8 January 2022      

       Rick Dadier (Ford) gets a job teaching English in a NY high school known for its problem hoodlums. It’s his first teaching job. To Sir with Love a couple of decades earlier with Poitier as a student instead of Sir.

       The film’s intentions are good. We were even told that in the beginning. It was made to combat and bring attention to juvenile delinquency in schools. It’s a classic, not only for the opening music, Chubby Checker’s ‘Rock around the clock’.

       For some reason I’m not convinced. For all it’s realism it tries too hard. The kids are good, but Mr Dadier is a terrible teacher who never would have won over any problem students with his method. The vampy Miss Hamilton (Hayes) and wimpy weepy wifey Anne (Francis) are irritating, even taking into consideration gender stereotypes of the 50s. But Sidney Poitier is good, as always, and the message, after all, is still relevant. 

3 ½ * of 5.