Teacher's Pet (1958)

"Newspapers can't compete in reporting what happened any more, but they can and should tell the public why it happened."

James Gannon (Gable) is a self-educated newspaper editor.  He runs a successful paper and thinks the only way to truly know how to write for a newspaper is experience, not education.  He is passionately opposed to journalism courses.  He is asked to speak at a journalism night class, but rejects the offer in a curt letter.  His editor orders him to go to the class.  He is shocked to learn the class is taught by Erica Stone (Day), a beautiful and talented woman, who proceeds to read and mock his letter to the class.  She believes it is important to have an education before diving into a journalism career.

He decides to take her class to show her up.  He registers under the name Jim Gallagher and soon becomes her best student.  Gannon and Stone are intrigued by each other.  He wants to change their relationship, but his efforts are continually blocked by Dr. Hugo Pine (Young), a psychiatrist who also works at the college.  Dr. Pine is well-known and oft-published, and has the support of Stone's secretary Katy (Ross).  Can he find a way to get the girl and keep his job?


This film was originally conceived as a drama, but when writers Fay Kanin and Michael Kanin were unable to find a studio to produce it, they turned it into a comedy.  It was filmed in black and white to disguise star Clark Gable's age.


The film was nominated for 2 Oscars: Best Supporting Actor for Gig Young and Best Original Screenplay.  Young is hilarious, as usual, especially in the hangover scene.  He is billed third, but completely owns the film.

The story is a love story to journalists.  All of the reporters / writers are fleshed out and feel real to life / the time period.  The cast is good and includes a young Marion Ross.  It moves at a fast pace, but the only character I really enjoyed was Young's Dr. Hugo Pine.  Gable is fine as James Gannon, as is Doris Day as Erica Stone... but it isn't their most engaging performances.

Good, but not great.

Teacher's Pet (1958) 120 minutes
Director: George Seaton
Starring: Clark Gable as James Gannon
Doris Day as Erica Stone
Gig Young as Dr. Hugo Pine
Mamie Van Doren as Peggy DeFore
Nick Adams as Barney Kovac
Marion Ross as Katy Fuller
Charles Lane as Roy