Teacher's Pet (1930)

Thanks for the memories!

As Good As It Gets

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

This Hal Roach comedy short, Teacher's Pet, is the one hundred first in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series and the thirteenth talkie. This is the one that really showcased Jackie Cooper's charisma as a child actor and would eventually lead him away from the series into starring exclusively in feature films. He leads the gang in playing pranks on the new teacher they find out is named Miss Crabtree who they think is someone-well, certainly not pretty as she eventually turns out to be as played for the first time by June Marlowe. I'll just say that this short is one of the most charming of the series with just the right amount of laughs to offset whatever sadness one may feel about doing something so cruel to someone as beautiful as this new teacher. So on that note, I highly recommend Teacher's Pet. P.S. This film marked the debut of one Matthew Beard who'd eventually be called Stymie in the series but here is called Hercules. It's also the first in the series to open with what would become the theme song-"Good Old Days" by LeRoy Shield. And it would be the first in the series to have "talking opening credits"-that is, a couple of ladies-Beverly and Betty Mae Crane-would announce the title and production credits instead of them being printed on screen. They'd do this also for subsequent Our Gang shorts School's Out and Love Business. And Richard W. Bann-co-author of the book "The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang"-provides nice commentary on disc 2 of The Little Rascals Collection DVD during this short.

The gang's beloved teacher is leaving because she's getting married. When they hear that their new teacher is named Miss Crabtree, they assume she's a nasty old prune--and the kids plan a series of horrible pranks to play on her to get her to leave. However, Jackie meets the new teacher and doesn't realize it's her--and he's infatuated with her! Won't he be surprised when he goes to school! But what about all those nasty pranks?! Jackie Cooper has his best opportunity to shine as a member of Our Gang in this one. And, quite frankly, he's adorable and very good in the lead. Also, this film is important because it marks the first appearance by Stymie Beard's--who would eventually replace Farina and become one of the more beloved members of this ensemble cast. It also gives Wheezer a chance to upstage them all in his small appearance near the end. Overall, one of the more entertaining episodes of Our Gang--and one well worth seeing. It's sweet and fun from start to finish.

A wonderful Our Gang short that certainly deserves the accolades heaped upon it throughout the years. A warm, heartfelt, humorous look at a boyhood crush between student and teacher. Jackie Cooper shines as the young student smitten by new teacher Miss Crabtree. June Marlowe, while not a great actress, is endearing and lovely as the new teacher. A well told and well acted short that is rightly looked at as one of Our Gang's best.As much as this short is noted for introducing Marlowe and Matthew Beard to audiences as well as being one of three shorts to use spoken word opening credits and for introducing the "Good Old Days" opening theme, what is equally important is it's recognition as a time capsule. A wonderful look at the more simple times that have longed since passed. The dirt road leading to school. The beautiful eucalyptus trees lining the road. The one room school house. A snap shot of more simple days. What also helps this short is how it was filmed. A soft focus, almost haze-like approach that really conveys the feeling of a warm, late summer day when school was back in session. Classic!

Teacher's Pet (1930) *** (out of 4) Miss Crabtree (June Marlowe) is the new teacher at the school where the gang goes and they plan on making her first day miserable but she has her own plan to get the group's affection. This here is certainly one of the better shorts in the Our Gang series up to this point. The majority of the charm has to go to Marlowe in her first appearance as Miss Crabtree. She has a few spots where her line reading isn't very good but she's attractive enough and charming enough to keep a smile on your face. Jackie Cooper is also very good in his role as the one who has a crush on her but is too embarrassed to say anything. Chubby and Dorothy get a very good sequence where she's constantly dubbing what he says and Wheezer is on hand for one of the highlights in the film. There's plenty of nice laughs throughout this short as well as some nice usage of the sound effects.