“Blackboard Jungle” is a drama about a man who takes a job as an English teacher in an interracial and inner-city school, and experiences difficulties with erratic behavior by some of the students. He is urged by his wife and others to seek other employment, but he decides to stick with it. The drama proceeds from there, well-directed by Richard Brooks (“The Last Time I Saw Paris” 1954), who also wrote the screenplay. He adapted the script from the 1954 novel of the same name by Evan Hunter.
Great performances from the cast includes Glenn Ford as the teacher confronted with juvenile violence, mild by today’s standards, but quite shocking in the 1950’s. Sidney Poitier portrayed a rebellious but talented student; this role launched him into superstar status. This film also featured the motion picture debut of actors Vic Morrow, Raphael Campos, and Jamie Farr, also all playing students. Co-stars include such talents as Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes, John Hoyt, Richard Kiley, Emile Meyer, Warner Anderson, and Horace McMahon.
The very watchable black-and-white film classic “Blackboard Jungle” was successful in theaters for producer Pandro S. Berman and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction (Black-and-White), and Best Cinematography (Black-and-White).
Blackboard Jungle (1955)
cinema
My Review
“Blackboard Jungle” is a drama about a man who takes a job as an English teacher in an interracial and inner-city school, and experiences difficulties with erratic behavior by some of the students. He is urged by his wife and others to seek other employment, but he decides to stick with it. The drama proceeds from there, well-directed by Richard Brooks (“The Last Time I Saw Paris” 1954), who also wrote the screenplay. He adapted the script from the 1954 novel of the same name by Evan Hunter.
Great performances from the cast includes Glenn Ford as the teacher confronted with juvenile violence, mild by today’s standards, but quite shocking in the 1950’s. Sidney Poitier portrayed a rebellious but talented student; this role launched him into superstar status. This film also featured the motion picture debut of actors Vic Morrow, Raphael Campos, and Jamie Farr, also all playing students. Co-stars include such talents as Anne Francis, Louis Calhern, Margaret Hayes, John Hoyt, Richard Kiley, Emile Meyer, Warner Anderson, and Horace McMahon.
The very watchable black-and-white film classic “Blackboard Jungle” was successful in theaters for producer Pandro S. Berman and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction (Black-and-White), and Best Cinematography (Black-and-White).