Teacher's Pet (1930)

Jackie prepares a series of elaborate jokes for his new teacher.

Director:

Robert F. McGowan

Writer:

H.M. Walker (dialogue)

Stars:

Jackie Cooper, Allen 'Farina' Hoskins, Norman 'Chubby' Chaney

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jackie Cooper	...	Jackie
Allen 'Farina' Hoskins	...	Farina
Norman 'Chubby' Chaney	...	Chubby
Bobby 'Wheezer' Hutchins	...	Wheezer
Matthew 'Stymie' Beard	...	Hercules
Dorothy DeBorba	...	Echo
Buddy McDonald	...	Buddy
Mary Ann Jackson	...	Mary Ann
Donald Haines	...	Speck
Artye Folz	...	Girl Hit With Pea
Bobby Mallon	...	Kid in Front of Jackie
June Marlowe	...	Miss June Crabtree
Baldwin Cooke	...	Caterer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William Courtright	...	Old man
Betty Mae Crane	...	Talking titles

Storyline

The beloved Miss McGillicuddy has left school and the gang is faced with a new teacher, one Miss Crabtree, whose name alone suggests a mean old lady to the gang. They plot several means of running off the new teacher, including ants, sneezing powder, and a mouse. On the way to school, one of the gang, Jackie, is picked up by a lovely lady who asks him about his school. Jackie reveals all the gang's plans to ruin things for Miss Crabtree. The only problem is that a sweet young woman Jackie has hitched a ride with is none other than... Miss Crabtree.

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Plot Keywords:

children | first day of school | our gang | practical joke | actor shares first name with character

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1930 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

20 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

June Marlowe's first appearance as Miss Crabtree.

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Goofs

Miss Crabtree "sends" Buddy home with the others, even though no-one has come to say that he needs to go home, unlike the rest.

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Quotes

Miss June Crabtree: I hope the children like me.
Old man: Oh, they'll like you alright. We'll have the cake and ice cream down to the school right on time.
[Miss Crabtree drives away]
Old man: Ummm... Wow! I wouldn't mind going back to school myself!

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Crazy Credits

The main title credits are entirely spoken rather than appearing in print on screen.

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Connections

Followed by School's Out (1930)

User Reviews

One of the finest of all the "Our Gang" films

"Teacher's Pet," the second release during the "Our Gang" series' 1930-31 season, is also one of the finest films in the series. Following the excellent "Pups is Pups," "Teacher's Pet" continues the laughs, while also offering sentiment and heart.

It's Miss Crabtree's first day at school, and she wants to make a good impression on her students. She orders cake and ice cream for the children, and intends on letting them have a day off on their first day back from vacation.

Jackie, Chubby, Farina and Buddy have other plans. They are sure that with a name like Crabtree, their new teacher won't be as swell as their former teacher, Miss McGillicuddy. Buddy brings a mouse, Chubby brings red ants, and Farina brings sneezing powder in an effort to ditch school the first day. Jackie has plans of his own; but when he gets a ride to school from the new teacher - and he doesn't know she's the new teacher - he explains the plot to her. What will Miss Crabtree do?

Hailed by many film historians as one of the best films Hal Roach ever made, "Teacher's Pet" is loaded with indelible images of warmth and humor. There is an obvious connection between Jackie and Miss Crabtree that is charming and endearing. The kids give natural, likable performances. With this film, Jackie Cooper became the leader of "Our Gang/The Little Rascals", a position he would hold until leaving the series for features the following year.

The setting of the film reminds us of a simpler, quieter time seventy-five years ago. No intrusive cell phones, no rush hour, no strip malls are here. A simple, rural one-room schoolhouse; a leisurely walk along a dirt road; and shade underneath plentiful trees gives the viewer a chance to relax and enjoy the film. Who wouldn't want to go back to this time of simplicity and quiet?

The Rascals' theme song, "Good Old Days," makes its debut in this film. The film was immediately followed by a sequel, "School's Out." A winner from start to finish. 10 out of 10.