Calvin Coolidge High is the setting for Sandy Dennis first year teaching. The kids are racially mixed. One girl Ellen O'Mara falls for her English teacher. Another Jeff Howard has a high IQ but can't focus. Harry A. Kagan the class president wears a suit every day.
Jean Stapleton smothers the school in paper work. Patrick Badford corrects grammar instead of talking to the amorous student. Eileen Heckart the guidance counselor has a tricky system that categorizes the students. Up the down staircase means Dennis is new to teaching and uses the wrong staircase.
Tale of Two Cities is her breakthrough moment with her class who suddenly realize their lives can be both awful and wonderful simultaneously.
After a close call with Jeff Howard she thinks of resigning.
Then a mock trial changes her mind.
Sandy Dennis is like Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter; so natural one forgets she is acting.
Jean Stapleton smothers the school in paper work. Patrick Badford corrects grammar instead of talking to the amorous student. Eileen Heckart the guidance counselor has a tricky system that categorizes the students. Up the down staircase means Dennis is new to teaching and uses the wrong staircase.
Tale of Two Cities is her breakthrough moment with her class who suddenly realize their lives can be both awful and wonderful simultaneously.
After a close call with Jeff Howard she thinks of resigning.
Then a mock trial changes her mind.
Sandy Dennis is like Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter; so natural one forgets she is acting.