Teacher's Pet

Movie Review: Teacher's Pet

Year of Release: 1958
Country of Origin: USA
Director: George Seaton
Cast: Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young, Mamie Van Doren

Plot outline: A tough city editor assumes a fake identity to study journalism with a lady professor who's criticized his work (IMDb).

Teacher's Pet is an overlong but enjoyable romance revolving around a seemingly mismatched pair. Though the movie is essentially a prototypical romantic comedy (the fake breakup is usually a dead give-away), it's hard not to get wrapped up in this simple, effective little story. The sassy 34 year old Doris Day was sexy (quite different from the later "professional virgin" roles that she became famous for). But, with Clark Gable at 57 (just 4 years before his death), it's a bit of a stretch to think these two could be a match. Gig Young, playing Erica's comedically perfect boyfriend (he's won the Nobel Prize, can dance professionally, and plays a bongo!), steals every scene he's in. Gable delivers an expectedly charismatic, hilariously deadpan performance. It's clear that the movie would have benefited from the removal of a few needless subplots, though this is a relatively minor complaint for a movie that is otherwise breezy and likeable. (DN)

My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars