Up the Down Staircase (1967)

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writers:

Bel Kaufman (novel)
Tad Mosel (screenplay)

Release Date:

19 July 1967 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Simple words that start a war: "Good morning. My name is Miss Barrett. I am your Home Room teacher..."

Plot:

The experiences of a young female English teacher in an inner-city New York high school.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Student | School | New York | Class

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Sandy Dennis	...	Sylvia Barrett
Patrick Bedford	...	Paul Barringer
Eileen Heckart	...	Henrietta Pastorfield
Ruth White	...	Beatrice Schacter
Jean Stapleton	...	Sadie Finch
Sorrell Booke	...	Dr. Bester
Roy Poole	...	Mr. McHabe
Florence Stanley	...	Ella Friedenberg
Vinnette Carroll	...	The Mother
Janice Mars	...	Miss Gordon
Loretta Leversee	...	Social Studies Teacher
John Callahan
Denis Fay
Otto Lomax
Martha Greenhouse	...	Alberta Kagan
María Landa	...	Carole Blanca (as Maria Landa)
Robert Levine	...	Mr. Osborne
Elena Karam	...	Nurse Frances Eagen
Frances Sternhagen	...	Charlotte Wolf (as Francis Sternhagen)
Candace Culkin	...	Linda Rosen
Lew Wallach	...	Lou Martin (as Lewis Wallach)
John Gerstad
Dan Morgan
Joey Sacks
Salvatore Rasa	...	Harry A. Kagan
Jeff Howard	...	Joe Ferone
Ellen O'Mara	...	Alice Blake
Jose Rodriguez	...	Jose Rodriguez
John Fantauzzi	...	Eddie Williams
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bud Cort	...	Student (uncredited)
Merle Exit	...	Merle (uncredited)
Linda Gillen	...	Student (uncredited)
Lance Herle	...	Bob Whiteside (uncredited)
Bel Kaufman	...	Teacher talking to Mr. McHabe (uncredited)
Daniel Nugent	...	Tough Student in Miss Barrett's Class (uncredited)
Esther Rolle	...	Teacher (uncredited)
Esmeralda Santiago	...	Esmeralda (uncredited)
Jeffrey Walker	...	Student who shoves Miss Barrett (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Mulligan

Writing credits
Bel Kaufman		(novel)
Tad Mosel		(screenplay)

Produced by
Alan J. Pakula	....	producer

Original Music by
Fred Karlin

Cinematography by
Joseph F. Coffey		(director of photography) (as Joseph Coffey)

Film Editing by
Folmar Blangsted

Art Direction by
George Jenkins

Costume Design by
Ann Roth

Production Management
George Justin	....	production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Don Kranze	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Dennis Maitland	....	sound

Music Department
Dan Wallin	....	music scoring mixer (uncredited)

Other crew
Tony Major	....	production assistant

Production Companies

• Park Place Production

Distributors

• Warner Bros. Pictures (1967) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1972) (USA) (TV)
• Warner Home Video (1994) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Video (2007) (USA) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Warner Bros. Cosmetics  makeup: Sandy Dennis
• Score Productions  music supervision

Also Known As:

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Benjamin Franklin High School - 260 Pleasant Ave, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Park Place Production

Trivia:

Puerto Rican author Esmeralda Santiago has a small role as a student, this was her film debut and her only film role. Her experiences from working on the film are highlighted in her book "Almost a Woman" (see also: Almost a Woman (2006) (TV)).

Goofs:

Continuity: In the classroom scene where Harry A Kagan is talking, his necktie alternates between being tucked into the belt and in front of the belt.

Quotes:

Sylvia Barrett:The theme of MacBeth is that too much ambition can lead to ruthless ambition, and end up in disaster. That's what words are for - to be used. Who can tell me what "ruthless" means? Joe?
[Gets no response, decides to ask... ]
Sylvia Barrett:Eddie?
Eddie Williams:Steps all over.
Sylvia Barrett:Use it in a sentence.
Eddie Williams:Steps all over, like white people. I know because I'm colored.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Acid Eaters (1968)

A truly fantastic film

What can I say? I read the book and enjoyed it. I saw the film and absolutely fell in love with it. I loved Sandy Dennis and her unique method of acting-- yes, I know she sometimes stammered, but don't we all in "real life?" I give high marks for Mulligan's directing because the movie had so many wonderful facets: it could be funny, it could be disturbing, and it could be so moving. The penultimate scene with Jose in the auditorium was so touching, so meaningful, and yet so simple. But exceedingly powerful. I found myself relating to Dennis in every way. Her bewilderment at The System, her deep desire to reach her students, her frustration, her idealism, her disappointment. And, when she finally experiences a victory, her sincere gratification. One reviewer called the film "slick." I don't at all agree. It was subtle, meaningful, and true. And the other actors did such a superb job of acting that it all seemed unscripted. There was no sex, nudity, swearing-- none of the things that today's movies are so laden with. I have a theory that these gimmicks are used for shock value, as filler, or to cover up the inadequacies of the film makers. You can tell that those who made this film were classically educated because the movie's foundation was strong and true. There wasn't a wasted line nor a meaningless exchange. Just full, rich film making at its finest!! Make no mistake: a film needn't be an action thriller or sexy to be compelling. I'm disappointed by today's movies because they lack something: heart, soul, meaning-- I'm not sure-- but I liken them to "cinematic junk food." So if you like pure cinema, see this film. (I don't think there's any comparison to "To Sir With Love," by the way. The latter was entertaining, but that was about it.)