When I was earning my teaching degree back in the ‘90s, there was one particular class where we were required to select a book related to education and write an analytical essay after reading it. I chose Evan Hunter’s 1954 novel, The Blackboard Jungle, which turned out to be really good. However, my instructor was less impressed with my choice and the paper I turned in, saying she intended us to read something more contemporary and relevant to today’s classroom.
I wanted to snap back, “I’m not a teacher yet…how the hell would I know what today’s classroom looks like? I haven’t set foot in one in 15 years!” Instead, I humbly requested the opportunity to try again with a different book (which was a lot more boring, by the way).
But I never actually saw the movie until just now. I’ve since retired after teaching for 26 years, the last 10 being particularly tough. While I don’t trust my memory enough to stake my life on it, I believe the movie is fairly faithful to the book…if not the plot, then certainly the spirit. Though there have been occasions when I’ve second-guessed the decision to retire when I did, it only took the first 20 minutes of Blackboard Jungle to confirm I made the right decision.
I was also reminded that my college instructor was full of shit. Sure, some of Blackboard Jungle looks, sounds and feels like a product of its time, such as the copious amount of ‘50s teen slang and a somewhat sensationalistic approach to the problem of juvenile delinquency. At the same time, the film perfectly captures what it’s like trying to lead a class full of (too many) students who are not-only blatantly disrespectful, they don’t give a damn about you or their own education.
 |
| "I'm gonna have to mention this at parent conferences, you know." |
Watching hopeful new English teacher Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford) forced to deal with a reality that college didn’t prepare him for, I frequently felt a lot of second-hand anxiety. While I was never beaten up by a gang of punks during my career, I experienced things similar to what Dadier did…threats of violence, accusations of racism, verbal harassment, and despite earnest efforts to “reach” my kids, the depressing realization that some of them cannot be reached. How Dadier deals with both the internal and external conflicts of his chosen profession is the crux of the narrative, and as someone who’s been there, he more than earned my empathy. That wouldn’t be the case if the themes in Blackboard Jungle weren’t still relevant.
I suppose one can say Blackboard Jungle only addresses its issues on a superficial level, and they wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Other than Gregory Miller (a young Sidney Poitier), the students are all caricatures of high school bad boys (though certainly rougher than those you’d see in most teen-centric drive-in fodder of the time). And despite a tension-filled climactic stand-off between Dadier and his worst student, Artie West (Vic Morrow), most conflicts are resolved a little too succinctly to be entirely plausible, resulting in the usual hunky-dory resolution, but at least the film largely refrains from romanticizing the job.
All that being said, Blackboard Jungle remains an entertaining film with excellent performances and worthwhile themes. Comforted by the knowledge those days are behind me, I enjoyed the film more now than I would have if I were still in the classroom.
EXTRA KIBBLES
AUDIO COMMENTARY - by actors Paul Masursky & Jamie Farr, assistant director Joel Freeman and Peter Ford (Glenn Ford's son).
MGM CARTOON - “Blackboard Jumble,” featuring Droopy.
ORIGINAL TRAILER
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment