Teacher's Pet (1958 film)

Teacher's Pet is a 1958 American romantic comedy film directed by George Seaton, and starring Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young, and Mamie Van Doren.

Teacher's Pet
Directed byGeorge Seaton
Written byFay Kanin
Michael Kanin
Produced byWilliam Perlberg
George Seaton
StarringClark Gable
Doris Day
Gig Young
Mamie Van Doren
Nick Adams
CinematographyHaskell B. Boggs
Edited byAlma Macrorie
Music byRoy Webb
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • March 19, 1958 (1958-03-19)[1]
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2.7 million[2]

Plot

Drive-in advertisement from 1958

Journalism instructor Erica Stone asks journalist James Gannon to speak to her night school class. He turns down the invitation via a nasty letter to her. His managing editor, however, orders him to accept the assignment. He arrives late to find Stone reading aloud his letter and mocking him in front of her class.

Humiliated, he decides to join the class as a student in order to show up Stone and poses as a wallpaper salesman. The instructor is somewhat intrigued by this charming older man, whom she finds an exceptional student. Gannon continues his ruse and becomes attracted to Stone. He finds he has to contend with Dr. Pine, as well as his own girlfriend, Peggy DeFore, a nightclub singer. When Stone discovers Gannon's deception, she immediately calls off their relationship. Dr. Pine convinces her to give Gannon another chance.

In the end, Jim and Erica have come to understand, and partially adopt, the other's point of view.

Cast

  • Clark Gable as James Gannon – city editor for a large metropolitan newspaper, with no education past the 8th grade, who is convinced that formal education is "a waste of time" for anyone who would like to get into the newspaper business and that experience in the workplace is the key to success
  • Doris Day as Erica Stone – journalism instructor at a local university with whom Gannon falls in love
  • Gig Young as Dr. Hugo Pine – a worldly and attractive psychologist who has "more degrees than a thermometer", and Gannon's (perceived) rival for Stone's affections
  • Mamie Van Doren as Peggy DeFore – nightclub singer and Gannon's girlfriend
  • Nick Adams as Barney Kovac – copy boy at Gannon's paper who idolizes him.
  • Peter Baldwin as Harold Miller, cub reporter
  • Marion Ross as Katy Fuller, Stone's secretary
  • Charles Lane as Roy, assistant city editor
  • Army Archerd as Himself

Release

The film opened in the United States on March 19, 1958 and finished fifth at the US box office in its opening week.[1][3]

Awards and nominations

AwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
Academy Awards[4]Best Supporting ActorGig YoungNominated
Best Story and Screenplay – Written Directly for the ScreenFay Kanin and Michael KaninNominated
Directors Guild of America Awards[5]Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion PicturesGeorge SeatonNominated
Golden Globe Awards[6]Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or ComedyClark GableNominated
Best Supporting Actor – Motion PictureGig YoungNominated
Laurel AwardsTop Comedy4th Place
Top Male Comedy PerformanceClark GableNominated
Gig Young4th Place
Writers Guild of America Awards[7]Best Written American ComedyFay Kanin and Michael KaninNominated

See also

References