Good Luck, Miss Wyckoff (1979)

An abusive sexual relationship between a white spinster schoolteacher and an young black janitor in 1956 Kansas complicates her struggle to come to grips with her sexuality and emotions.

Director:

Marvin J. Chomsky

Writers:

Polly Platt (screenplay), William Inge (novel)

Stars:

Anne Heywood, Donald Pleasence, Robert Vaughn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anne Heywood	...	Evelyn Wyckoff
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Steiner
Robert Vaughn	...	Dr. Neal
Earl Holliman	...	Ed Eckles
Carolyn Jones	...	Beth
Ronee Blakley	...	Betsy
Dorothy Malone	...	Mildred
Doris Roberts	...	Marie
John Lafayette	...	Rafe Collins
Jocelyn Brando	...	Mrs. Hemmings
R.G. Armstrong	...	Mr. Hemmings
Dana Elcar	...	Havermeyer
J. Patrick McNamara	...	Chest Rollins
Gary Prendergast	...	Marlon
Rip Clark	...	Henry

Storyline

An abusive sexual relationship between a white spinster schoolteacher and an young black janitor in 1956 Kansas complicates her struggle to come to grips with her sexuality and emotions.

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Plot Keywords:

janitor | psychiatrist | radiator | classroom | school teacher | 

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Taglines:

The emotional explosion is hers. The emotional experience is yours.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1979 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Secret Yearnings

Filming Locations:

El Dorado School - 1540 N. Lincoln Street, Stockton, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bel Air/Gradison Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was first announced as a Sydney Pollack production in 1970, with Mark Rydell lined up as director.

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Connections

References A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

User Reviews

Good acting but too familiar

A 40ish, repressed school teacher is raped by a young, black janitor in the 1950s. It truly disturbs her, but she realizes she enjoyed it and begins a secret sexual relationship with him. But how long will this remain a secret?

Very well acted by everybody...but why was this done? The story has been done many times before and this adds nothing new. As I said, the acting keeps you watching but it adds up to very little.

Try to avoid the cable TV version--all the male nudity (there isn't much) is cut out and a crucial sex scene is badly edited. Try to see it on video.