Glenn Ford in Blackboard Jungle (1955)

“Blackboard Jungle” is a 1955 film about juvenile delinquency in school. The film came out the same year as the classic “Rebel Without a Cause”, starring James Dean as the quintessential troubled teen. The main difference between “Blackboard Jungle” and “Rebel” is in the settings. In “Rebel” the teens’ issues mainly begin with their parents. That may or may not be true of all the teens in “Blackboard Jungle”. Some of them are obviously follow-the-leader types who are acting out due to the influence of the stronger gang leader types. “Blackboard Jungle” is also notable for its theme song: Bill Haley & the Comets’ “Rock Around the Clock”. Many critics have said that the film would not have been successful if not for the choice of that song as its theme.

The new English teacher, Richard Dadier, is assigned to teach at an inner-city trade school. Led by student Gregory Miller, most engage in anti-social behavior. Dadier has heard of the school’s reputation for unruly students but the school principal, Mr. Warneke, vehemently insists there is no discipline problem. Other faculty members tell Dadier what the real deal is.

Dadier sees what he is up against from his very first encounter with his class. The worst influences on the entire class are Gregory Miller, always ready with a disrespectful wiseguy crack; and Artie West, a gang leader who gives off dangerous vibes without even opening his mouth! Dadier chooses Miller to help him get the class under control. If only it was that easy… but it’s not. The disrespect will erupt into violence before long.

Richard Brooks directed “Blackboard Jungle” and wrote the screenplay, which was based on Evan Hunter’s book of the same name. The screenplay was nominated for an Oscar, but it lost to Paddy Chayefsky’s screenplay for “Marty”, which also won Best Picture, Best Director (Delbert Mann) and Best Actor (Ernest Borgnine).

CAST ROUNDUP

Glenn Ford played Richard Dadier, the idealistic English teacher in “Blackboard Jungle”. This is one of 5 movies released in 1955 starring Ford. That means he had top billing and some of these films had some great stars in them, like Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, and Arthur Kennedy to name a few. At this point in his career, Ford was most well known for Gilda (1946) and The Big Heat (1953).

Anne Francis played Dadier’s wife, Anne. This was one of two notable 1955 films Francis was in. The other was “Bad Day at Black Rock” with Spencer Tracy heading up the cast.

John Hoyt played Mr. Warneke, the principal. Hoyt was also in 1955’s “The Trial” with Glenn Ford.

The teachers were portrayed by Louis Calhern as Jim Murdock; Margaret Hayes as Lois Hammond; and Richard Kiley as Joshua Y. Edwards.

Louis Calhern was in two more films that came out in 1956, “Forever, Darling” and “High Society”, before succumbing to a heart attack.

Some of us remember Richard Kiley from the “Thorn Birds” miniseries as Paddy Cleary, the family patriarch.

The delinquents included Sidney Poitier as Gregory Miller; Vic Morrow as Artie West; Dan Terranova as Belazi; Rafael Campos as Morales; Paul Mazursky as Stoker; and Jameel Farah (the future Jamie Farr) as Santini.

Just a few years after “Blackboard Jungle”, Sidney Poitier co-starred with Tony Curtis in “The Defiant Ones”. They were both nominated for Best Actor Oscars, along with Spencer Tracy (“The Old Man and the Sea”), Paul Newman (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”) and David Niven (Separate Tables”). Niven won the Oscar.

Screen debut of Vic Morrow as gang leader Artie West. Morrow was not particularly happy to be typecast as a villain as a result of his performance in this role. He beat Steve McQueen for this role. McQueen got his first credited role in 1958’s “Never Love a Stranger” starring John Drew Barrymore.

Rafael Campos was also in “The Trial” (1955) with Glenn Ford — he was the one Ford was defending.

Future M*A*S*H star, Jamie Farr, made his screen debut as Santini.

James Drury, future star of “The Virginian”, made his screen debut in an uncredited role as a hospital orderly.

WHERE TO WATCH

Of course, you can rent it or buy it on Amazon. It is also shown from time to time on the free over-the-air Movies! channel. (Put in your zip code here to find out if Movies! is available in your area.). Check TCM’s schedule if you subscribe to their channel. Your local library is another good place to look if they lend out DVDs.

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