Blackboard Jungle (1955)

[bunniefuu]

♪ One, two, three o'clock,

four o'clock rock ♪

♪ Five, six, seven o'clock,

eight o'clock rock ♪

♪ Nine, ten, eleven o'clock,

twelve o'clock rock ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ Put your glad rags on ♪

♪ And join me, hon ♪

♪ We'll have some fun ♪

♪ When the clock strikes one ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Till broad daylight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, gonna rock ♪

♪ Around the clock tonight ♪

♪ When the clock strikes two ♪

♪ Three and four ♪

♪ If the band slows down ♪

♪ We'll yell for more ♪

♪ We're gonna rock


around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Till broad daylight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, gonna rock ♪

♪ Around the clock tonight ♪

♪ When the chimes ring five ♪

♪ Six and seven ♪

♪ We'll be rockin'

up in seventh heaven ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Till broad daylight... ♪

Come here!


Come here!

Do you want to be a bum?

♪ When it's eight, nine, ten ♪

♪ Eleven, too ♪

♪ I'll be goin' strong,

and so will you ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Till broad daylight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, gonna rock ♪

♪ Around the clock tonight ♪

[wolf whistle]

♪ When the clock


strikes twelve ♪

♪ We'll cool off, then ♪

♪ Start a-rockin'

round the clock again ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock ♪

♪ Till broad daylight... ♪

[wolf whistle]

Excuse me.

I believe I have an appointment

with the principal.

Name?

Name?

Richard Dadier.

Business, please?

I've been here before.

It's about the English


teacher's job.

Sit down, please.

Thank you.

Not at all.

[Typewriting]

Mr. Dadier, Richard.

Good luck.

In case anything


turns up--

we'll call you,

Mr. Lefkowitz.

Mr., uh...Dadier?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

What college did you attend?

I believe it's right there

on the form, isn't it, sir?

But that was


an all-girls' school.

Yes, well, they took in

veterans after the w*r,

you see. I believe

they still do.

So many of us

coming back all at once,

it was a little

difficult to find

a school or a college.

Veteran, hmm?

Yes, sir. I was

in the Navy, sir.

I beg your pardon?

I was in the n--

you speak very softly.

Can you be heard

at the back of a classroom?

Well, I...

I did some dramatics

at college, sir,

and they could always hear me

in the very last row.

Really?

Sh-shall I project

a little, sir?

Go ahead and project.

Uh...

"Once more unto the breach,

"dear friends, once more!

"Or close up the wall

with our English dead.

"In peace, there's nothing

so becomes a man

"as modest stillness

and humility,

but when the blast of w*r

blows in our ears..."

"Then imitate the action

of the tiger."

Very aptly chosen.

Henry iv, wasn't it?

It was Henry V, I believe.

Right.

Give your credentials

to miss Brady

in the outer office.

You--you mean

I have the job?

Congratulations.

Oh, thanks.

Better meet some

of the other teachers

and get acquainted.

Organizational meeting

in an hour.

Any questions?

No. No, sir.

Just one question, sir.

The discipline problem here--

I beg your pardon?

Well, I understand--

there is no discipline

problem in this school,

Mr. Dadier.

Not as long as I'm principal.

I see.

Thank you, sir.

Miss Brady, my credentials.

Mr. Edwards, Joshua.

Thank you very much.

Not at all.

Shall I--

anyway, he says to me,

"exaggeration.

Pure exaggeration.

"There is absolutely

no discipline problem here."

And there's no

discipline problem

at Alcatraz, either.

You can't teach

a disorderly mob.

That's right.

You got to have discipline,

and that means obedience.

Yeah? How you gonna get that?

With a ruler.

Take a ruler to one

of these delinquents,

he'll beat you to death with it.

Oh, my name's Murdock.

New teacher?

English.

Richard Dadier.

Lou savoldi.

Carpentry.

George Katz.

Social science.

I'm taking money

under the false pretense

of teaching history.

I thought you developed

their muscles.

No, developing my own.

Getting in shape

to defend myself

for the fall term.

You make it sound

like a reform school.

Oh, first teaching job, eh?

That's right.

Don't listen to him,

Dadier. He's a cynic.

Why not? This is the garbage can

of the educational system.

You take most of these schools

and put them together,

and what have you got?

One big, fat overflowing

garbage can.

Think of teaching

in an all-girls' school.

Think of those

20-year jail sentences.

Got any tips for a rookie?

Two.

Don't be a hero...

And never turn

your back on the class.

Manners, come here.

How long you been teaching here?

Oh, 12 years.

2 purple hearts

and no salary increase.

They hire fools like us

with college degrees

to sit on that garbage can,

keep 'em in school,

so women, for a few hours a day,

can walk around the city

without getting attacked.

Woman: Really?

I mean, there must be some

students who want to learn.

You gonna teach 'em

in that outfit?

Because if those kids

ever get a look at--

have you arranged

with the national guard

to escort you

to class every day?

Ladies and gentlemen,

your attention, please.

Your principal, Mr. Warneke.

Welcome.

Welcome to the old faces.

Welcome to the new faces.

Miss Panucci.

Say...

These kids, they can't

all be bad, can they?

No? Why?

Miss Hammond, Mr. Warneke.

[Train passing]

Makes you feel good, doesn't it?

It's funny. I didn't think

it would affect me this way.

After all, it's only a job,

but when I stepped

into my own classroom,

it was just like

reaching a goal.

I don't believe I got your name.

Oh, Edwards.

Josh Edwards.

2 first names, like Harry James.

Do you like swing?

Yeah, most of it.

I've got

a really fine collection.

I can't remember

ever being so excited.

It'll pass.

Wait till Monday.

The way some of the teachers

were talking--

you don't really expect

any trouble, do you?

I mean, I figure you can

handle any kid if--

if you can handle them.

How's the most beautiful wife

in the whole world?

Hot, tired...

I don't feel very much

like anything,

especially not attractive.

I just feel 4 months pregnant.

Beautifully pregnant.

Champagne?

And ravioli!

That's not all.

Oh, you got the job!

Oh, darling!

Congratulations, professor.

You want some cheese?

Oh, champagne and ravioli.

Now, that's no way

to feed an unborn child.

Well, champagne,

that's for the mother.

That's for luck.

I've had luck from the very

first moment we met, Anne.

What?

Is something wrong?

What's the matter, dear?

Nothing.

Now, look, honey.

It's all gonna be

over real soon.

Oh, no, no.

It's not that.

It's just that...

I don't want to let you down

again, that's all.

You've never let me down. Ever.

I don't know what happened

the last time.

Now, look.

It's not your fault.

A lot of women lose babies.

I mean, after all,

it was only 2 months.

I know. I can't help

thinking about it.

I just don't want

anything to happen.

Nothing's going to happen.

It's gonna be

7 1/2 pounds in weight,

it's gonna have your

looks and my brains,

and it's gonna support

us in our old age.

The most important

thing, darling, is

you mustn't worry.

Please, no bad memories, huh?

No guilty feelings, please.

Please, Anne.

And you don't mind

my being this way?

How could I mind?

I'm responsible, aren't I?

Here.

To the three of us.

To the three of us.

[Car tires screech,

jazz music blares]

You all right?

What happened?

Crazy kids,

that's what happened.

[Chaotic clamor]

Hey, you owe me a quarter!

How are you, man?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Last time I felt like this

was when we hit

the beach at Salerno.

At least they're not

sh**ting at us here.

Not yet.

Good morning.

How do you do?

Do I look all right?

Ravishing.

I'm really very nervous.

Do you think they'll like me?

They may even fight over you.

Hi! I thought you said

you weren't coming!

Testing!

Testing!

1, 2, 3, 4.

1, 2, 3, 4.

Hey, lookit! He knows

how to count up to 4!

Sure, man. He graduated

from this school, didn't he?

[Whistles]

[Whistling, cheering]

Shut up!

All right.

That's enough stupid nonsense.

Next guy opens his trap

knows what happens.

Who's that?

I think he teaches

public speaking

or something.

I don't know.

By this time, you already

said hello to everybody,

so cut the yakkety, and

we'll get down to business.

First, in the name of your

principal, Mr. Warneke,

I want to welcome you back

to north manual.

Aw!

Aw!

Now without further ado,

we'll have the teachers

call out the rolls

of their official classes.

When you hear your name

called out, you fall out.

And the first guy gives trouble

gets trouble right back.

We start with the seniors.

And 'cause we're gentlemen,

the ladies come first.

We got a new teacher here.

She's gonna take care

of you senior boys.

Miss Hammond, please.

[Wolf whistles]

[Whistling]

Miss Hammond.

[Voice cracks]

Frank--

Frank Adams.

Hey, lucky old me.

Shut up!

Edward Alpina, Donald Beck,

Samuel Barstow, Harry Cohen...

All right.

This way.

Up those stairs

down there, please.

There'll be no talking

on the way up!

Hey, teach, what'd Mr. Halloran

say your name was?

I said there'd be no

talking on the way up.

Yeah, he's playing it real hard.

He's a big man!

[Door closes]

Hey, hold it.

You. You.

What's the matter?

What's the matter, boy?

Hey, you.

You!

Who, me?

Yes, you.

What's your name?

Why?

What's your name?

What are you picking on me for?

I'm not picking on you.

I'm asking what your name is.

You mean, you never

heard of Artie west?

All right, west,

I want you to monitor

this class for a minute.

Write down the names

of anybody who talks,

you understand?

Talks about what?

Anything. If they

open their mouth,

just write their name down.

I haven't got a pencil.

Well, I haven't got any paper.

Just take it, will ya?

Take it please.

Want a pencil?

What'd you make the kid cry for?

It wasn't my fault.

Hey, cheese it.

Hold it.

Just hold it.

What is this, the officers'

club or something?

I don't want to catch any of

you smoking in here again.

You understand?

Now get out.

Come on. You heard

what I said. Get out.

What's the matter?

You 2 guys

privileged characters

or something?

We only just got here, chief.

You did, huh?

Well, now just get out.

Can't a man wash

his hands, chief?

Wash 'em and get out.

Sure, chief.

You gonna watch me?

Maybe you'd like

to wash 'em for us.

What's your name?

You. I'm talking to you.

Me?

Yes, you!

Emmanuel.

Emmanuel what?

Emmanuel trades.

Don't you know, man?

This boy got the school

named after him.

What's your name, wise guy?

Me? Miller.

Gregory Miller.

You want me

to spell it out for you

so you won't forget it?

No, no. You don't

have to do that.

I'll remember, Miller.

Sure, chief.

You do that.

Or maybe you'd

like to take a walk

down to the principal's office

right now with me.

Is that what you want?

You're holdin'

all the cards, chief.

You want to take me

to see Mr. Warneke,

you do just that.

Who's your home period teacher?

You are, chief.

Why aren't you with

the rest of the class?

I already told ya.

Came in to wash up, chief.

All right, then wash up.

Cut out that "chief"

routine, you understand?

Sure, chief. That's what

I been doin' all the time.

Ok for us to drift now, chief?

I don't want to catch

you in here again.

Suppose I got

business here, chief?

Look, how many times

do I have to tell you?

Let's go, huh?

Come on, let's go!

Let's go, bright boy.

Hey, wait.

He means me.

Hey, hey! De lica, how are you?

All right, sit anywhere.

We'll arrange

permanent seating later.

You want to close

the door for me there?

Hey, how about

that miss Hammond?

All right, let's

break it up back there.

Hear what I said?

I said, break it up!

Why?

What'd you say?

I said, "why?"

Sit down.

The first thing we're gonna do

is pass these cards out.

Take one, pass the rest back.

The number of this class is 55.

The number of the

classroom is 206.

My name is spelled

d-a-d-i-e-r.

Now, that's pronounced "da Di--"

whoever threw that,

you'll never pitch

for the yanks, boy.

Hey, Artie, how do you like

Mr. daddy-o?

Daddy-o!

Daddy-o!

Daddy-o!

Daddy-o!

You all finished?

Fine.

Glad you got that

out of your system.

The name is Dadier.

Mr. Dadier.

Pronunciation is a very

important part of English.

I'd hate to fail anybody who

couldn't pronounce my name.

Me, too, teach.

Mr. Dadier. Say it.

And take your hat off

in this classroom.

You ever try to fight 35 guys

at one time, teach?

Take your hat off, boy,

before I knock it off.

Now, the subject

you're gonna learn

in this class is English.

Some of you may wonder

if English can help you

get a job as a carpenter,

a mechanic, or an electrician.

The answer is yes.

In fact, it may even

surprise you

to find English is

your favorite subject.

I'd be surprised, all right.

There'll be no calling out now.

If you've got any

questions to ask,

just raise your hand.

You hear that, Miller?

Sure, teach.

You comin' in strong.

I can't tune you out.

His name ain't teach!

It's daddy-o.

Don't you know his name, jerk?

Excuse me, Mr. jerk.

All right, west, since

you're so cooperative,

suppose you stay after class

and help me out.

I'm busy.

Oh, go on, Artie.

Help him out.

Then you can be together alone.

Oh, daddy-o!

[Wolf whistles]

All right.

All right. Fine.

We had a few laughs.

In a minute, the bell's

gonna ring out there.

That means you go

to your civics class.

Tomorrow morning, when you

come into this class--

hey, teach, you're

coming back here tomorrow?

Sure, I'm coming back.

Do you know why?

'Cause I'll miss you, west.

Ooooh!

All right.

Let's knock it off.

Now, come on, huh?

That's enough, huh?

What's the matter with you?

You, Santini,

what's your problem?

Me?

Yeah. What are you

grinning for?

He's the grinningest cat

in this whole school.

He smiles all the time.

That's 'cause he's an idiot-boy.

Well, just try

and pay attention, Santini.

I pay attention.

[Bell rings]

Hey, Miller!

Come here. I want to talk

to you a minute, Miller.

Man-to-man talk, huh, Miller?

You know, I've been

looking up the records,

and you're

a natural born leader.

Really?

Yeah, you are.

Those guys out there,

they like you very much.

Now, don't be modest

with me, Miller.

You know that you're

a little brighter,

a little smarter than

the rest of those guys.

Me?

Yeah.

And every class needs a leader.

You could be

that leader, Miller.

What you do, they'll do.

You cooperate, and

they'll follow you.

How about it, Miller?

I don't know.

But I do know, Miller.

How about it?

Sure, if you think so.

That's a boy.

Good. That's fine, Miller.

Oh, uh, is this yours?

Yeah.

Take it easy, man.

Sure, man.

[Ding]

Good night.

Good night.

Why, hello.

Miss Hammond.

Oh, how did it go today?

You mean after my disaster

this morning?

My entire class volunteered

to stay after school

and pound erasers or something.

Got a ride home?

I have a private limousine.

Oh?

City bus.

My way's more private.

I'll give you a lift.

Well, I have to check out first.

Oh, that's all right.

I'll meet you downstairs.

They don't even know

their multiplication tables.

Of course not. All they

can multiply is themselves.

Well, how are they

ever graduated?

Graduated?

Going down?

No. Going up.

Graduated?! They

just get to be 18.

Then they're thrown out

to make room

for more of the same kind.

[Thump]

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

You c*ck!

What happened?

Nothing.

Huh?

Nothing.

What is it?

What happened?

Why, it's the first day

of school, teacher.

The way she screamed,

the way she looked--

scared. Man,

I mean, real scared.

I thought, "this could

be happening to Anne."

And then I hit him.

Maybe she provoked the boy.

What?

Well, teachers

ought not to dress sexy.

What do you mean, sexy?

She had on, what do you call it,

one of these sport outfits,

buttoned right up to here.

I'll bet.

With black net stockings, too.

No, they were flesh-colored.

I see.

Rick?

Yeah?

Is she beautiful?

Who?

Miss Hammond, that's who,

miss desirable Hammond.

Oh, yeah, I'd say that in a--

well, kind of

a flashy way, she's--

yeah, I'd say she's...

She's attractive.

What was I wearing

when you came home tonight?

What were you

wearing? Hmm.

You never noticed, did you?

Now, wait a minute.

Let me think.

What were you wearing?

You were wearing-- let's see.

You had on that blue

outfit, didn't you?

No! It was a bl--

a pink--the pink dress

with the blue ribbon.

You know, that little

ribbon you wear up here?

And you had on a little apron.

You didn't take

your iron tablets.

Yes, I took my iron tablets.

You didn't think

I was very sexy.

I thought you were irresistible.

Prove it.

What about your calcium tablets?

More, please.

Did you take them?

Hmm?

Don't be so medical.

Look, what was she wearing?

What were you wearing?

What's all this about--

what was I wearing

when I came home?

Turn out the lights and hold me.

What was I wearing?

You remember?

You don't remember, do you?

Your brown suit.

No, it wasn't the brown suit.

Your gray suit.

No.

Striped necktie?

Mm-mmm.

No?

You don't remember, do you?

Now does that prove

that you don't love me?

Just proves I'm silly, jealous,

and love you too much.

Aw, he looked terrible.

Must've hit him from behind.

I don't know. Teach

must have some wallop.

Nah. He hit him

with brass knuckles.

That's right.

I seen 'em.

He carries 'em

in that little ol' bag of his.

4 transfusions Joey had to have.

His nose was busted, too.

What do you think, Artie?

Man, they say

he slugged Joe so hard

he knocked

all his front teeth out.

What did the teach hit him with?

Ain't you heard?

The teach was middleweight champ

of the Navy.

Hey, George!

Morning, Miller.

Now today we're

going to pinpoint

some of your faults in grammar.

I've written several

sentences on the board.

I want you to read

those sentences

using the proper word.

Now, does everybody

understand that?

You're very quiet today.

All right.

Now, let's get started.

Don't be afraid

to make mistakes.

Because, after all,

that's how you learn--

by making mistakes.

All right, Miller,

will you take the first one?

"Henry hasn't written

no answer to my letter."

No, Miller, it should be

"Henry hasn't written

any answer to my letter."

De lica, second one.

"If I were him,

I wouldn't say that."

No, if I were you,

I wouldn't say that either.

It should be "if I were he."

All right, west, the third one.

"I throwed the ball fast."

All right, come on, west.

You know better than that.

This is third term stuff.

You had that 2 years ago.

"Won't anyone

borrow you a pen?"

"The class choose him

as president."

"Where was you

when it happened?"

Well...

We didn't do very well

with this, did we?

All right.

I think a little homework

will straighten that out.

Homework?!

Yes, homework.

You can start copying

all 35 of these sentences

in your notebooks right now.

I gotta go to work

after school, teach!

This homework

will count as a test.

It might decide whether you

pass or fail this course.

Miller?

This...

This was your idea, wasn't it?

What idea is that?

This silent treatment,

picking the wrong

answers deliberately.

Look, I know you're

the leader, fine.

But you're leading them

in the wrong direction.

Why?

Maybe you ought to mind

your own business, chief.

Ain't many guys like

what happened to Joe Murray.

He goin' to jail, you know that?

I see. That's why you

set the class against me?

They don't need no excuse

or me to help 'em.

What about that talk

we had, Miller?

Suppose we just forget about

that little snow job,

Mr. Dadier.

Hi. I wanted to thank you.

It's all right.

Would you mind walking

out to the car with me?

With those kids out there

and all, I...

No.

If it's too much

trouble for you--

no, not at all.

Thanks.

I hope I haven't hindered

you with your classes.

How'd you make out today?

Oh, the boys were very quiet.

Guess I know what

they were thinking.

Hello, Josh.

Hi.

How about a drink?

Yeah. Fine.

Let's go over there.

[Stan Kenton record

playing on jukebox]

I gotta--

I gotta get home.

Oh, this is the last one.

For the road.

For the road.

Road.

Oh.

Mmm.

Stan the man.

Hmm?

Terrific stuff.

Very educated gentleman.

Yeah.

Just like our students.

Everything always comes

back to our students.

You know something?

Hmm?

I am disappointed,

very disappointed.

Hmm.

Listen. Listen to this passage.

Mind those trumpets.

Go, man.

Oh, bartender?

I wonder if

there are many alcoholics

among high school teachers.

It's not fair, Rick.

Hmm?

I want to teach.

I really want to teach.

So why don't they let me teach?

Any man who really

wants to teach

should be allowed to teach.

To teach. I know.

Did I tell you?

What?

I'm bringing

my record collection in

and playing it for the class.

Yeah.

Yeah, what?

[Slurring]

What do you mean, what?

You told me you're

bringing your record--

let me ask--

now, wait a minute.

Suppose they don't

like it, the records?

Why not?

It took me 15 years to

collect those records.

Half those records

can't even be replaced.

Besides, music is

based on mathematics,

am I right?

Yeah. Yeah.

What do I teach?

Mathematics.

You're right.

Absolutely.

To teaching.

[Clink]

To teaching.

I gotta get home fast.

My--my wife's pregnant,

you know.

Well, congratulations!

Hey, let's take

a cut through here.

Shortcut to the bus, huh?

All right.

Yes, sir, it's the best

profession anywhere.

Kids.

Yep.

Best profession anywhere.

So why don't they let me teach?

I don't know. I guess just

'cause they're bad guys.

They're not bad,

they're just ignorant.

Bad and ignorant.

You don't really

believe that, do you?

No, I--

I don't really

mean it, Josh, I--

I don't really mean it.

[Thump]

Josh.

Hmm?

That's funny.

What? What's funny?

Footsteps. You hear

those footsteps?

Hey, daddy-o!

I don't want you to forget

Joe Murray, teach!

[Sirens]

Oh, Josh.

Josh.

[Groan]

[Telephone rings]

[Ring]

Hello?

Mr. Dadier there?

Uh, no. No, no,

he isn't here right now.

Who is this?

[Click]

Hello?

[Doorbell buzzes]

Turn out the lights.

Well, Rick--

the lights.

Rick!

You mustn't be scared.

I'm ok.

Well, I'll call a doctor.

No, no.

I'll be all right.

Just don't look at me,

Anne, please.

No, please, you mustn't.

A thing like this could--

I don't want you

to lose the baby, Anne.

Oh.

You're never going back

to that school again.

Never!

Oh, yes, I am.

Yeah, I've been beaten up,

but I'm not beaten.

There's a big difference.

I'm not beaten,

and I'm not quitting.

What's the answer, professor?

Now, I'm going back

to the school tomorrow.

Anne doesn't want me to go,

and I--

Maybe she's right.

Is it hopeless?

Is there no way to get

through to those kids?

Is there no way

to make them understand?

You'll find a way.

Well, what if I don't?

What then?

What's the point of teaching

if kids don't care

about an education?

And make no mistake

about it. They don't.

You're wrong.

You're the blind man

who visits an elephant.

He feels a tail and he says,

"ah. An elephant

must be like a snake."

Come.

Porto, to carry.

Porto, portas, portat,

portamus, portatus, portant.

♪ ...Bursting in air ♪

♪ Gave proof through the night ♪

♪ That our flag

was still there ♪

♪ Oh, say does that

star-spangled banner yet wave ♪

♪ O'er the land of the free ♪

♪ And the home of the brave ♪

Any teacher could get through

to students like these.

The kind of students I have--

why bother with them?

In this country, all

children are entitled

to an education.

I'm not prepared for my job.

You were my professor

in college.

You should've taught me

how to stop a fight

in a classroom,

how to deal with

an I.Q. Of 66,

how to quiet a class

of screaming wild animals.

No, why bother about them?

They'll survive without me.

But who wants wild

animals in the street?

If I'm gonna be a lion tamer,

I should teach

with a chair and a whip.

Yes, we at the university

were to blame.

We did not prepare the teachers

to teach certain children

of this generation.

Tell me, Richard, why do

you want to be a teacher?

Just to earn a living?

No.

Because it's easier perhaps

than some other job?

Easier?

Perhaps you're dedicated?

No, hardly.

No, I want to teach.

Most of us want

to do something creative.

I can't be a painter

or a writer or an engineer,

but I thought if I could

help to shape young minds--

sort of sculpt lives--

then by teaching,

I'd be creating.

For every school like yours,

there are hundreds

like this one.

We could use you,

but your school needs you.

You still want to teach

here in this school?

[Sighs]

I think I'll take another crack

at my jungle.

The report says

you couldn't identify

any of the boys.

It was dark.

I told you, it was dark.

I couldn't see anything.

What are you protecting--

the good name

of this school, your job, what?

Somebody have to get

kicked to death

before you'll cooperate?

It wasn't that serious.

You couldn't make class

for a week.

I'd say that was serious.

Well, what do you

expect me to do?

Press charges.

I'll find the ones who did it.

I'll go over every kid

in this school.

Yes, and you'll do

more harm than good.

Mr. Dadier,

I've handled lots of

problem kids in my time,

kids from both sides

of the tracks.

They were 5 or 6 years old

in the last w*r.

Father in the army,

mother in a defense plant,

no home life, no church life,

no place to go.

They form street gangs.

It's way over my head,

Mr. Dadier.

Maybe the kids today are

like the rest of the world--

mixed up, suspicious, scared.

I don't know.

But I do know this--

g*ng leaders have taken

the place of parents,

and if you don't stop them--

class is starting.

Do you mind?

Then you won't help us?

I'm sorry.

Sure. And I hope

you'll never be sorrier.

Thanks anyway.

For what? Tying our hands

so it can happen again?

And don't worry.

It will.

Welcome back, chief.

You bring your cosmetics

to school, chief?

Don't get touchy, chief.

I know lots of guys use makeup.

Well...

At least the silent treatment

seems to have ended.

[Buzzing]

New machine shop, chief.

Since when?

Installed her last week.

Does this--

does this go on all the time?

Most anytime.

Oh, no.

That's great.

That's all we needed.

This is a-- a tape recorder.

Was we gonna make

records, teach?

That's right.

Well, go, man, go!

[Loudly] Now,

we all talk too much,

but nobody list--

[buzzing stops]

[Laughter]

No-nobody listens.

And, uh, well, I thought

that perhaps if we talk

into this machine

and then we listen--

ohh, it's a speech period.

"How I spent

my summer vacation."

This ought to be real jazzy.

No, no speeches--

[buzzing]

If there was one thing

I didn't like

when I went to high school--

teach, teach, did you

go to high school?

Can't you see, man?

He ain't never got out.

Well, since you want

to talk so very badly,

I guess I'm not gonna

have much trouble

getting you to talk

into this machine.

What kind of talk?

Snappy stories?

Miller...

How'd you like to bring

your mother to school?

How'd you like to bring yours?

Hey, Morales got a sister.

Maybe he'd like to bring her.

Come on with those records, man!

♪ Da-da da-da da-dah ♪

Hey, what do you say we all--

we all sing a little,

huh? Come on.

The last rose of summer.

Hey, teach, you got

that recorder going?

Quiet!

All right, now.

Who's gonna be the first

to try this out, huh?

Miller: How about Morales?

Hey, what's the matter

with Morales?

Morales, he loves to talk.

No. Tomita, suppose

you step up here and try it.

You against Morales

'cause he don't

talk good English?

That has nothing to do with it.

Hey, Morales, come on,

get up there. I

wanna hear you talk.

Come on. Come on.

Aw, come on, chicken.

We want Morales!

We want Morales!

Hey, chicken!

We want Morales!

[Clucking]

I no chicken!

[Buzzing]

All right.

Start talking.

What am I gonna talk about?

Talk about anything.

How you got up this morning,

took the bus to school.

Well--

Go ahead.

I got up at 7:30,

go wash,

but my stinkin' sister,

she's in the bathroom

so I can't get in.

[Laughter]

That's fine, boy.

Just keep talking.

So then I go

to the stinkin' bathroom,

I wash my stinkin' face,

then I eat

some stinkin' sausages.

Hey, louder.

Come on.

We can't hear you

in the balcony.

Then I go down

the stinkin' street,

with my stinkin' books,

then I meet the stink-face

who lives near me.

And he says,

"you go to school, Pete?"

So I says,

"you stinkin' right."

So we walk to the stinkin' El,

and we wait

for the stinkin' train,

and whaddya think?

The stinkin' train is late.

So I gotta get into

a stinkin' crowd.

[Laughter]

And that's why I'm stinkin'

late to school, teach.

[Laughter]

How was I? Ok?

You sure stunk up

that record, boy!

[Applause]

More! More!

[Whistling]

That'll be enough for today.

Aren't you gonna play it back?

No.

Thanks for picking Morales.

I'm sure you're his friends.

Sure enough, chief.

Too bad you can't say the same.

Now just what does that mean?

Morales is a spic,

that's what it means.

Maybe--I don't know--

maybe you don't like sp*cs.

That'll be enough of that, west.

What did I do, anyhow?

All right, sit down...Spic.

Yeah.

At least I'm no Irish Mick!

I said that'd be enough!

Pick up that magazine, Belazi.

Pick it up.

I want to get one thing

very clear

in this classroom.

There's not gonna be

any name-calling here,

not today, not tomorrow,

not ever!

Now, you understand that,

all of you?

I was just kidding.

Yeah, I know. "Just kidding."

That's how things start,

just kidding.

Like a street fight.

Somebody pushes somebody,

somebody pushes back.

Pretty soon, you've got

a street fight with no kidding.

That's the same way

with name-calling.

All right, west, look.

You're of Irish descent,

all right?

So is Murphy over there.

You call him a Mick,

he calls you a Mick.

But suppose Miller here

calls you a Mick.

Is that all right?

No. Then you call him

a n*gg*r.

I was just kidding.

Well, stop kidding!

Sure, come on, come on.

Tell me all about

your stinkin' sister.

[Bell rings]

You gonna play Morales'

record back, chief?

[Buzzing]

[Telephone rings]

Mr. Warneke wanted to see me?

Sit down, please.

But, Mr. Warneke--

there are no buts,

Murdock--

none that can forgive

slapping a student.

If you can't control yourself...

Yes, sir, I understand.

Warneke:

Dadier?

He's rough today.

Sit down, Dadier.

Problems...

Nothing but problems,

eh, Dadier?

Well, not the same

that you have, sir.

If it isn't one thing,

it's another--

brutality, stupidity, bigotry.

Would you believe

that some teachers

are guilty of racial prejudice

in their classes,

in this school?

I--I wouldn't know, sir.

It comes out under

pressure, I suppose.

Yeah, I suppose so.

If you knew of such a teacher,

would you tell me about it?

I don't know.

You don't know?

Why not?

I don't know. This idea

of carrying tales--

you have someone particular

in mind, Mr. Warneke?

What part of the country

are you from?

[Train passing]

How do you feel

about Negroes, Dadier?

What do you mean, how

do I feel about them?

Do you consider them inferior?

You mean as a race?

Any way.

No, I don't consider

them inferior.

What about sp*cs?

sp*cs?

sp*cs.

Do you like them?

Well, it depends

on the individual.

What does that mean, Dadier?

There are puerto ricans I like,

there are puerto ricans

I don't like.

I see. What about Irish micks?

Look, Mr. Warneke, I don't

know what this is all about.

If there's some teacher

who's teaching--

I'm talking about you, Dadier.

You're the teacher who's

supposed to be the bigot.

What?

It's reported

that you've maligned

religious and racial groups

in your classroom.

That's what this

is about, Dadier.

That's a lie.

Is it?

Did you use the expression

"n*gg*r" in your class?

Yes.

Then it is true.

Now just wait a minute--

did you use

the expression "spic"?

Yes. I used it

in the same lesson--

lesson?

Yes!

What textbook

did you get this from?

Just listen to me a minute, now.

You listen! I don't care

if a boy's skin

is black, yellow, or purple!

He gets the same teaching,

the same breaks

as any white boy.

Do you understand that?

Do you?

There's enough immorality

in the world

without your adding to it.

Enough hatred,

enough blind stupidity--

hold it!

Will you just hold it?

I used that expression

to teach a lesson in democracy--

what should not be said.

Those were negative examples.

Not according to my report.

This boy has accused you--

what boy?

A boy in your class.

What was his name?

I can't tell you that.

Well, suppose he's lying.

Don't I have any right

to face my accuser?

Don't I have any rights at all?

I know I don't have any

as a teacher left,

but what about my rights

as a human being?

Nobody's depriving you

of any rights.

You accused me.

You condemned me

without even a hearing!

Look, I'm sorry, Dadier.

I may have been hasty.

If I'm wrong, I apologize.

You were wrong.

In that case...

Dadier?

I recall that you had some

dramatic training in college.

Will you take charge

of our Christmas show?

Well...

Is this a penalty?

This a reward?

What it is?

Just an extra job.

All right.

Miller?

What were you doing?

Doing?

Yeah.

I'm just goin' down to

the machine shop, chief.

This late after school?

Doing a little homework

on this carburetor.

What kept you

after school, chief?

You doing your homework

here, too?

Miller.

You went to see Mr. Warneke

today, didn't you?

Did I?

Yes, you went to see

Mr. Warneke,

and you told him a lot of lies,

a lot of deliberate lies.

You twisted everything I said.

There was no racial issue

till you made one!

Wait a minute, Miller.

What is it, chief?

What is what?

Why you got

the knife out for me?

Why I've got the knife

out for you?

Oh, man, there's a real switch.

I mean, after all the trouble

you caused, after all you done,

after the way you fouled up

that recording session,

after the way you and west--

steady now.

Just a minute.

The way me and west did what?

Ganged up on me, that's what.

You don't mean that, chief.

I do mean it.

Boy, you really got it bad.

You deny it?

Well, do you deny it?

You gonna hit me?

I'd really like that.

That's all you need, boy!

That'll really

wash you up around here.

Come on, start swinging.

Come on.

You go ahead.

Come on.

Why, you black--

go ahead and say it.

You say it, now.

You go ahead and hit me!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry what

I just said, Miller.

There's no excuse.

I just lost my head.

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

Miller...

[Voice singing in distance]

The truck will be here

any minute.

You ready, Louie?

Now come on!

You just pay attention

when I'm talking to you, stupid!

We've been over it 50 times.

I slug the guy,

and pee wee takes the wheel.

What's so special?

Look, you just stay with him

in case he needs you.

That's what's so special.

Look, you drive to--

drive to the park,

dump the papers,

then get rid of the truck.

When the guy sells the papers,

we meet right back here

and we divvy up.

Now, you got that?

You sure you got it now?

Don't worry about it.

Go ahead, blow. Move.

Well, how's the teaching

business comin' along?

[Truck horn honks]

Hey, what's the chance

of gettin' a job

driving a truck like this?

[Truck starts]

[Truck drives away]

Easy, teach. Easy.

You could've got hurt

over there just now.

What happened, anyway?

Where'd you come from?

I was just strollin'

down the street,

and I saw some guy who

threw a bottle right at ya.

And I figured they're out

to get you like last time.

You know, you could've been

maybe shot or somethin'.

Yeah. Or something.

That Belazi with those kids?

Belazi? You mean from our class?

That's right. Wearing

the same kind of jacket.

They're all wearing the same

kind of jacket you are.

You're members of the same

g*ng, aren't you?

No, it's a club, teach.

It's a club I belong to,

and I didn't see any Belazi.

Oh, you didn't see

those kids steal

that newspaper truck

there, either, did you?

That's right.

Just passin' by.

Just like I said.

I was just strollin' by.

I mean, why should I lie to you?

You know, I don't--

I don't give a damn

what you believe.

You know what'll happen

when those kids are caught?

What's that, teach?

Reform school,

year in jail--maybe more.

Oh. You know, a year from now,

the army comes by, and they say,

"ok, Artie west,

you get into uniform,

"and you be a soldier,

and you save the world,

and you get your lousy

head blowed right off."

Or maybe--maybe

I get a year in jail,

and maybe when I come out,

the army, they don't

want Artie west

to be a soldier no more.

Maybe what I get is--

Is out.

I see.

Do ya, teach?

Do ya?

Well, west,

you got it all wrong.

Come on, get 'em off!

Look, you're

in my classroom now,

and what I could teach you...

The first lesson

is don't butt in.

Just don't.

Or--or you could

flunk out for good.

[Train passing]

[Phonograph playing

early swing music]

Hey, what you got there, teach?

Oh, it's music.

Isn't that music you

had on there, teach?

For the next class.

Oh, what's the matter

with this class?

How's the disk jockey?

Look at your records.

Now just keep your hands

off the records.

Beg your pardon.

Come on, teach!

Will ya play somethin'?

No, our Josh, he's

got a test for us.

Right, Josh?

You see,

music is based

on mathematics, and...

It's just that the next class

is a little more advanced.

We're advanced, teach.

2 times 2 is 4.

Are 4.

Besides, haven't you heard

music is soothing

to the savage beast?

All right.

Take--take your seats.

We're just crazy

about music, ain't we?

Reet, boy.

Mr. Edwards,

Mr. Edwards,

why not play a record,

then we'll all take the test.

Sure.

Please?

Aw, come on, teach.

Well...

All right.

This, uh...

This is kind of a rare one--

this is bix Beiderbecke

doing jazz me blues.

Ah! How about some bop?

Yeah, bop us, teach.

Listen to this.

[Music playing]

Pay attention to that cornet.

Beiderbecke came before James

and Elman and Spivak.

How about Frank Sinatra?

Yeah, Frankie baby!

Ah, Joni James!

Come on, get with it, man, eh?

This is cow-cow boogie.

All right, keep away

from the records.

Give me that.

Sure, teach.

Ha ha ha!

This is Cherokee.

Anybody wanna hear

this record, huh?

No!

Hey, clap hands,

here comes Charlie.

[Jitterbug tune plays]

Blue moon.

Wait till Miller hears

about this jam session.

Where's that Miller man

today, anyway?

He's cuttin' class today.

When there's action, he cuts.

Funny. I was

someplace else, too.

Nobody was here today.

[Needle scraping]

They broke my records.

I don't understand, Rick.

I just don't understand.

[Bang]

Now, the broken records

can never be replaced.

The phonograph cost about $40.

I don't know

which of you did it,

but I know that none of you

tried to stop it.

So, whenever you can,

you just put your nickels

and your dimes in this tin can.

Can you deduct it from taxes?

But how did Warneke

discipline the kids?

A masterful stroke.

Heh.

He taught

those little Mongolians

a lesson they'll never forget.

You know what he did?

He got 'em all

in the auditorium,

and he had 'em...

He had 'em write 500 times,

"I respect private property."

Did anybody ever pay Edwards

for those broken records?

How about it, Dadier?

Is that tin can

full of money yet?

He's lucky if they don't

steal the tin can.

Tell ya what I'm gonna do.

I'm gonna rig up

an electric chair

and bring it to

my carpentry class.

I'll tell my pupils

it's a circuit tester.

Then I'll lead the little lice

into the chair one by one.

[Snap] Throw the switch on 'em.

That's fine,

except those kids'll

rig up that hot seat first,

throw you into it,

and fry you to death.

I'd have clobbered them.

Would ya?

Sure.

Would ya?

They outnumber you,

they outweigh you,

and they outreach you.

Besides, they get

clobbered at home

and in the streets.

They're used to it.

That's why they understand it.

What's that got to do

with teaching?

I never have any trouble,

not real trouble.

That's right, miss Panucci.

He's a clobberer.

You're a slobberer.

"I'm just a nice woman

trying to do my job.

Now, please be nice,

boys."

You give them the veteran pitch.

"I got the purple heart, boys."

Oh! Or you tell 'em

about--what is it?

That steel plate in your head

or that artificial leg.

You beg for sympathy.

"Look, I'm a veteran, fellas.

Will ya help me keep my job?"

But do you care if

they learn anything? No!

This guy's lucky they don't kick

that artificial leg out

from underneath him.

And you--

You're a slumberer.

You sleepwalk.

Hear no evil, see no evil,

speak no evil.

Oh, I mean,

every once in a while,

you make sounds

like a--like a teacher.

Nobody cares.

Nobody listens.

I mean nobody cares.

Especially you.

This man here, he's a grumbler.

You hate the kids.

You have contempt for them.

All right, what about you, Zola?

I'm--I'm a fumbler.

I'm not doing any better

than the rest of you.

Well, what are we

supposed to do?

Start butting our heads

against a stone wall

with a lot of kids

that don't want to learn

in the first place?

Yes.

All right. How?

I don't know how.

I mean, there must be

some way to...

There must be some way

to reach them.

Whom are you trying to convince,

me or you?

[Bell rings]

Rotten day, ain't it?

Oh, hello, Mrs. Brophy.

You shouldn't be

walking in the snow.

I like it.

If I had a condition,

I'd make them carry me

like a Chinese pagoda.

Where'd you go, the movies?

It's funny,

the habits you get into.

Every morning, as soon

as my husband goes to work,

I turn on the radio,

nothing but serials,

in one ear and out the other.

But one day,

the radio breaks down.

Oh, is it quiet!

I thought I'd go crazy,

stark-naked crazy.

Your husband ain't home yet.

I, uh, stopped in just now.

I wanted a little rum

for cooking, you know.

What time is it?

Oh, let me see.

It's a little bit after 5:00.

I don't care

for liquor, personally,

but my old man, he--

he just goes for it

in a great way.

You shouldn't be walking

in the snow, Mrs. Dadier.

Anne?

Anne?

I thought it was you.

Is something wrong?

No, no.

No. It was late.

You weren't home.

I got lonely.

Sorry I was late.

What's a teacher do

when he stays after school?

Or is it ethical to tell?

Josh Edwards quit his job today.

I just helped him

straighten his desk out.

I tried to get him

to change his mind, but--

he was right to quit.

And if you had any sense,

you'd get out

of this place, too,

be--before it's too late.

What would I do?

Sell shoelaces?

Run for president?

You'd teach in a decent place

where kids want to learn,

where a teacher's respected.

I wrote to professor kraal.

Here's his answer.

He says he can get you

a job in his school.

Tell him yes, Rick.

Maybe.

We'll see.

What's so important

about this place?

It's a challenge.

What else is it?

You want to stay.

You want to stay

in this filthy, miserable--

wait a minute.

Come on now. Hold it.

You've got enough troubles

without me, you know.

Have I told you today

that I love you?

Do you?

What do you think?

I'm selfish.

I want to be told.

Let's splurge

and take a taxi home.

We'll neck in the back seat.

How about that?

All right.

Taxi!

♪ Were you there ♪

♪ When they crucified ♪

♪ My lord? ♪

♪ When Israel

was in Egypt land ♪

♪ Let my people go ♪

♪ Oppressed so hard

they could not stand ♪

♪ Let my people go ♪

♪ Go down, Moses ♪

♪ Way down in Egypt land ♪

No, man.

This ain't no jam session.

Stop jazzing it up, ok?

All right, let's pick it up

at "go down, Moses."

♪ go down, Moses ♪

♪ Way down in Egypt land ♪

♪ Tell old pharaoh ♪

♪ Let my people go ♪

Sounded real-- real nice.

Fair, chief.

It'll get better.

Cut out, fellas.

I'll see you later.

If you're wonderin' about this,

we didn't break in.

Mr. Halloran loaned us

the use of the hall.

No, no. I--

[Plays piano]

I was just wondering if, uh...

Maybe we'd play a spot

on your Christmas show?

Yeah.

I figured.

Would you?

That's why we've been

rehearsing, Mr. Dadier.

Where'd you learn to

play the piano this way?

Oh, picked it up.

What are the rules, Miller?

Rules?

Yeah, what are the rules?

I mean, you can

be so cooperative

on a thing like this.

In my classroom,

I--I--

you better get a move on, teach.

You'll be late

for your own class.

Want to walk up with me?

I'll be along.

Yeah.

Help!

Faster! Faster!

Wha--hey!

Oh, h*!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

[Crash]

Jack ran for the beanstalk.

The giant was close behind him.

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

[Thump]

Ha ha ha!

So Jack got rich,

and when he grew up,

he married a Princess,

and they lived happily

forever after.

[Fanfare plays]

[Whistling]

More! More!

Hey, teach, how about

the main feature?

Marilyn Monroe, eh?

Humphrey Bogart!

Well, what did you

think of the story?

It was lousy.

There was no dames.

Miller, what did you think?

Well, this Jack,

he's a pretty cool cat,

all right.

I don't like

fairy stories, ya know?

Speranza?

Oh, I don't know.

I kinda felt sorry

for the giant.

Oh, why's that?

Well, this Jack,

he ain't no hero.

He's a pretty dumb hick.

Yeah, look,

his old lady sends him

out to sell the cow.

Well, Jack the jerk

meets up with a con man

and he let him have the cow

for a couple of crazy beans.

Yeah. That wasn't so smart!

And then he climbed

that old beanstalk

until he disappeared

in another land.

Without a space helmet, man?

How did that giant get up there

without any beanstalk?

This is a fairy story.

He just flew.

I got this Jack

pegged for a thief.

Oh? Well,

the giant was supposed

to k*ll Jack's father

and steal his money.

How'd Jack know that?

Suppose Jack thought

that the giant stole from him?

Did that give Jack the right

to steal the hen that

laid the golden egg?

No. He's gotta have proof.

Suppose he had the proof.

What then?

Jack--he shoulda

called the cops.

Yeah, and the cops

would have kept the loot

for themselves, too.

That's right.

Could be.

Not the FBI.

[Whistling, applause]

And that magic harp, hmm?

If the giant

would have been so bad,

the harp would have

wanted to be snatched.

Could be.

Now, why do you suppose

that harp liked

that giant so much?

I know.

You do?

'Cause the giant,

he liked music.

That Jack was a real heist man.

He got away with

burglary 3 times.

I liked the part

where he knocked off the giant.

Ah, who cares?

The whole thing here's a phony!

Wilson, do you think Jack

should have k*lled the giant?

Yeah. Yeah, sure.

He was chasin' him.

If somebody stole from you,

wouldn't you chase them?

The way I got it figured,

this Jack, he's a square.

First off, he don't care

if his old lady

starves to death.

On the button, man.

Didn't he sell the cow

for a handful of beans?

Then he turned burglar.

And then he commit m*rder.

And for all of this,

he gets a reward.

He's rich.

And he marries a Princess.

You know why?

Because he took what he wanted.

Because crime always pays.

It was a crime, wasn't it?

So what?

Yeah, it was only some

stinkin' giant anyway.

Why don't you like the giant?

Because he's a giant?

You don't like Dodgers

fans, is that right?

No, kidding, fellas. I mean,

you don't like the giant

because he's different

than anybody else.

That's right.

But is that right?

I mean, is it right

to dislike somebody

just because he's different?

I mean, there's a lot of us

right here in this classroom

who are different

than anybody else.

Yeah, but if

the story's so c*ck,

then what's the point of it?

Now we're getting somewhere.

Now, all your lives,

you're gonna hear stories--

what some guy tells you,

what you see in books,

in magazines,

on the television and radio,

what you read in the newspapers.

But if you can

just examine the story,

look for the real meaning,

and, most of all, fellas,

and if you'll just learn

to think for yourselves--

here it comes!

Here comes the commercial!

[Laughter]

[Bell rings]

That giant, if he done wrong,

at least I think

he should have had a trial.

Hey, teach, how about some

more stories like that?

Yeah, a story about football.

Hey, teach maybe I'll turn out

to be a critic on the movies.

How did you like that

Jack in the beanstalk?

He turned out to be a thief

like everybody else.

I liked the story.

So you finally

got through to them.

I think so.

Yes, for once,

for the first time.

Well, what's the answer--

visual education?

Yeah, partly. I mean,

if you can just

get them stimulated.

Sure, they'll go for movies,

but will that

teach them to read?

But if you can get them

to use their imagination,

get them to reach out

for something.

But certainly not knowledge.

Yeah, but if they'd use

their intelligence,

get their minds out

of comic books.

Minds? A mind would

indicate a brain,

and a brain--

before he proves

Darwin was right,

I've got a class.

Oh, uh, look,

if you still need a Santa Claus

for your Christmas show--

yeah, I do.

Well, you've got one.

[Telephone rings]

[Ring]

Hello.

Your husband won't

be home today.

He's gonna be with her.

Who is this?

Hello?

Hello?

[Click]

Move in a little bit, fellas,

just a little closer together.

Now, will you hit them

with the spot here?

Wait. I can't see.

Turn the footlights out.

That's it.

Now, raise it up.

I just want to

catch their faces.

Up--that's it.

All right, now,

remember that effect, huh?

Got it.

All right, fellas.

Let's see that work light here,

would ya?

Miller, stick around

a minute, will ya?

I want to

talk to you about an encore.

Oh...

I'm gonna go.

Oh, I'm bushed.

Thanks for staying.

It's shaping up ok, huh?

Hey, isn't it always quiet

before an earthquake?

Good night, before he

has 'em burning the school down.

Well, now that you mention it--

good night.

Well, could I be wrong?

Have you got

these wild animals trained?

No, not trained.

Just interested.

Don't forget your history.

Never turn your back.

Good night.

Good night.

You coming?

I have a little more work to do.

Uh-huh.

Need me for anything

else, Mr. director?

No, thanks.

That's too bad.

The costumes are fine, Lois--

I know what you mean.

That's why it's too bad.

Look, Lois.

You're tired.

No, not tired.

Just bored.

Just good and bored.

You know, maybe I

shouldn't have transferred

to this school.

Maybe I should have--

tell me, Rick,

don't you ever get fed up

with this place?

Don't you ever get tired

of teaching?

Don't you feel that you want

to throw your briefcase away

and take a flier someplace,

anyplace, with me maybe?

Don't you?

Don't you, Rick?

Ahh, I guess not.

You'd like to, all right,

but you're married.

You're married, and I'm bored.

You're afraid, and I'm choosy,

and you can't be choosy,

or you live alone.

You keep thinking that way,

you're gonna end up

in a mess of trouble.

Mr. Dadier?

I'll be right with you, Miller.

I got to get to my job.

Good night, Lois.

[Ring]

[Ring]

Darling?

Your husband

is with her right now.

Stop it.

Stop it.

Please, please

don't call anymore.

Would you please leave me alone?

Please leave me alone.

[Click]

I don't need no more schooling.

Why? Why, Miller?

What's wrong

with being a mechanic?

You don't want to be, do you?

There ain't much choice,

is there?

For the same reason

I live in this neighborhood,

colored neighborhood,

Mr. Dadier.

Now, folks don't care

who fix up their car,

black or white,

just so long as it's fixed good.

You're late, boy.

I'll be early tomorrow night.

This one needs a new set

of spark plugs.

They'll pick it up at 9:00.

Ok.

You think we got

a good school, Mr. Dadier?

Yes.

Do you really think that?

The important thing is,

do you want to learn?

In the beginning,

I tried...Real hard,

but what's the use?

Nobody gives a hoot--

not the other fellas,

not the teachers,

not my folks even.

So you quit trying.

That's the easy way out, Miller.

That's the only way.

Sometimes we've got

to do what's best,

even though that might be

the more difficult way.

We're talking from different

sides of the fence, Mr. Dadier.

You're not black.

That's not a good enough excuse,

not nowadays, and you

know it, Miller.

And Dr. Ralph Bunche

proved that.

George Washington carver,

Marian Anderson, Joe Louis.

So?

So I don't want you

to quit. That's all.

Now, you'll be of age

the end of this term.

Don't give up trying, Miller.

Don't quit.

Mr. Dadier, you're

pretty new at this.

Soon you're gonna be

quittin' yourself.

All right, look, I'll

make a deal with you.

We'll have sort of

a pact, you and I:

Neither of us quit.

How about it?

Say, now, that wasn't true,

what you said about teachers.

Some of us do care, you know?

Good night.

Good night.

[Siren]

They just took her

to the hospital, emergency.

I just dropped in to

lend a little somethin'.

Who? What happened?

Your missis, I mean.

She started to have

terrible pains,

just terrible!

Ahead of time!

7 months!

Oh, don't worry, Mr. Dadier,

I'll bring her things! Ooh.

[Ding ding ding]

Oh.

Been here long?

Yes, quite a while.

Is she gonna be all right?

She's fine, Mr. Dadier.

You're sure?

Yes, your wife is fine.

She just had a boy.

Well, what do you mean had?

Well, he's still in danger.

I don't understand.

Well, the baby was premature.

That, together with--

what was your wife

worried about,

Mr. Dadier?

She seemed to be

mentally disturbed.

She wouldn't talk about it.

Oh, she lost a baby once.

No, no. No.

I know about that.

No. This was something secret.

There was no trouble between you

and your wife, Mr. Dadier?

I'm sorry.

Is the baby going to live?

I don't know.

3 or 4 days should tell us that.

Does Anne--

I mean...

Have you told Anne

about the baby yet?

Mind if I see her?

Well, she's still

in a twilight condition,

not fully awake or

fully asleep, but...

All right, you can see her.

Thank you.

Arthur!

Hi.

Hi.

You--are you all right?

Tired.

Just awfully tired.

I think I could

sleep for a week.

Yeah.

Look, honey, you try

and get some sleep, huh?

No, don't go.

Not yet.

Wait until they chase you.

It happened kind of suddenly.

We made it this time, didn't we?

Yeah.

Have you seen the baby yet?

No.

No, I haven't.

It's a boy, isn't it?

Yeah.

Happy, Rick?

Sure.

Still love me?

Oh, Anne, I love you.

Look, I love you

very, very much.

I brought these things

for Mrs. Dadier.

Thank you.

Mrs. Brophy...

Thanks a lot for

all of your trouble.

Trouble, mister?

What do men know about trouble?

I found these letters

on the floor. I guess

she was reading them

when the pain started.

I don't understand you, mister.

I just don't understand you.

[Ding ding ding]

It's a necktie,

a gift from the kids.

Merry Christmas.

The kids were only trying

to show their appreciation

of what you did for them.

Yeah? Well, I'd like to

give them something

for what they did to me.

The show was

a big success tonight.

Miller and his boys

sang beautifully!

I don't want to hear

about it, Jim. I don't...

I don't want to hear

about the show,

about the school, about

Miller, about anything

'cause I'm through.

I'm finished. I'm quittin'.

As far as I'm concerned,

that school is just dead.

What was it you called it, huh?

Was it a great

big garbage can, huh?

Yeah? Oh, man,

how right you were.

Well, I've had it

right up to here.

I'm quitting.

I'm getting another job

10 miles and 3,000 delinquents

away from here.

No, no.

No, I was the one

that was wrong.

You proved something.

The kids in our school

can be taught

if you don't stop trying.

You got through to them.

And those same kids,

when they came into my class,

a little of your momentum

carried over,

and all of a sudden,

I wanted to get

through to them, too.

Hey, that was a big day for me.

If I could have 2 days

a week like--

you can have it.

You can have it.

Just remember what you told me.

What was it?

"Don't turn your back

on 'em." Huh?

Now, look, if you quit here,

you'll quit at

the next school, too,

then you'll quit teaching

altogether.

So what?

Who cares, Jim?

Who--who cares?

You think the kids care,

their parents care?

Who cares about teachers anyhow?

Look, I want to show you

something, Jim,

I wrote down.

Now, just listen to this.

Teachers get $2.00

an hour, right?

Now, listen,

"a congressman and a judge

"are $9.25 an hour.

"Policemen and firemen,

$2.75 an hour.

"Carpenter, 281.

Plumber, 2.97.

Plasterer, 3.21."

You know,

a household cook gets

more money than we do,

and they get room and board.

Oh, yes, I know, a teacher,

they get as much as a babysitter

or a soda jerk.

$2.00 an hour for a teacher.

Radio announcer:

We take you now

to Times Square in New York.

In a few moments,

the new year will

be officially born.

Come in, Times Square.

[Party horns blowing]

Hi.

Thank you.

You feeling all right?

Now that you're here.

What's the matter?

What? Nothing.

Is it about the baby?

I didn't see the doctor, Anne.

He was busy, and--

announcer:

Happy new year.

[Turns off radio]

I'm scared, Anne.

I'm really scared.

What if the baby doesn't live?

He will.

I know he will.

Well, what if he doesn't, hmm?

You know, I wanted that baby.

I needed that baby

just as much as you did

because all my life,

I wanted to teach kids,

and my son was gonna--

he was gonna kind of

help me, you know?

Through him, maybe

I'd learn to understand.

Rick.

Hmm?

No matter what happens,

I love you.

I was silly and vain

and selfish,

so I doubted you.

I was like one of

the bad kids in your class--

somebody told a lie,

and I believed that lie.

Now, one's as bad as the other.

Listen, I want to

tell you something--

I was wrong about

something else, too.

I wanted you to quit

teaching in that school.

I understand now why you

wanted to keep trying.

Please.

I'm glad you didn't quit.

Now, wait a minute.

Honey, kids are people,

and most people are worthwhile.

We all need the same thing--

Patience, understanding, love.

You've got that

to give them, darling,

and that's why you'll

get through to them.

[Knock on door]

Your son's out of danger.

He's gonna make it.

♪ Should auld acquaintance

be forgot ♪

♪ And never brought to mind? ♪

Happy new year,

Mr. and Mrs. Dadier.

♪ Should auld acquaintance

be forgot ♪

♪ And days of auld Lang syne? ♪

Pretty soon,

you're gonna be reading

in the newspapers

want ads for jobs, apartments,

something to buy.

Now, advertising space

is very expensive,

so abbreviations are used.

Now write out complete words

to all the abbreviations

in these problem ads.

All right, get started.

[Rustling]

Belazi.

Just keep your eyes

on your own paper.

Me?

Cheating won't help you

learn those abbreviations,

you know.

He's not gonna look for no job.

His old man owns a store.

Yeah, I'm not gonna

buy me a Cadillac neither.

No. It's cheaper to steal one.

That's arithmetic, teach.

All right, Belazi.

Bring your paper up here.

5 points off?

What for?

For having loose eyes.

Ha ha ha!

West.

You talkin' to me, teach?

Bring your paper up here, west.

What for?

I said bring your paper up here.

And I said what for.

Ah, come on, Artie,

bring him the paper.

Now, look, you just

keep your rotten mouth

out of this, black boy.

Richard: Miller!

Hold it.

All right.

All right, Miller.

It's all right.

Now bring your paper

up here, west.

All right.

All right, we're going down

to see the principal.

We are? You gonna

make me, daddy-o?

Come on, let's go.

How'd you like to go to hell?

What's the matter, daddy-o?

Yeah, how about it, teach?

You've got a big mouth,

tellin' me to do this, do that.

Well, are you big enough

to take me down

to the principal's office?

'Cause that's just what

you're gonna have to do.

You're gonna have to take me.

Well, come on, take me!

Come on!

Come on.

For a bright boy,

you didn't learn nothin'.

Well, take me down.

Come on.

Step right up and taste

a little of this, daddy-o.

Give me that knife, west.

Where do you want it?

You want it in the belly?

How about in the face, huh?

Give me that knife.

Here it is.

All you got to do is take it.

Now, come on! Come on!

Take it. Come on.

Take it easy, chief.

He's crazy. He's high.

He's floatin' on

sneaky Pete wine.

He's gonna k*ll him.

All you've got to do is take it.

Come on, take it.

That's just what

I'm gonna do, big shot.

Oh!

Come on, west.

Come on.

Come on.

Where you goin',

boy? Come on.

Belazi.

Come on.

Morales.

Stoker!

Santini!

Miller: You keep out of this.

You want a g*ng fight?

You want to start a rumble?

Come on, boy, just make a move.

West: All right, you guys.

I said, all right!

Move, move!

What's the matter,

west, you need help?

Come on.

You're holding

the handle of that knife.

Come on, you're the leader.

You're the tough guy, huh?

You can't cut it

alone, huh, west?

You're not so tough

without a g*ng

to back you up, are you, west?

But you were tough that night

in that alley, weren't you?

7-2, that's about

your odds, isn't it?

Only this time,

you get cut up here.

The g*ng-up didn't work.

Then you went to the principal

with that story

about race prejudice.

You couldn't get rid

of me that way,

then you started sendin'

those foul letters

to my wife, didn't you?

Didn't you, west?

End of the line, boy.

Oh!

You--you--you!

Not here.

No, not here, Mr. Dadier.

Not here!

Not here.

Hey!

Belazi!

Shut up, chicken!

I'm gettin' outta here.

I'm not goin' to that

reform school! Not me.

Me, me, what about me?

You, you're on your own.

Open up! You hear me?

Out of the way!

What's the matter with you guys?

What do you got against me?

Come on! Out of the way,

you hear me?

Ah! Oh!

West: Morales!

Use it. Use it.

[Clank]

That's some cut.

We'll take you to a doctor.

We'll get you fixed up, teach.

After we take these two

to the principal's office.

All right, fellas?

Dadier: I know.

You're saying why do that, huh?

Why not forget--

forget the whole thing?

No!

No, no, not this time.

There's no place for these two

in your classroom.

Look,

we've all made a step

forward this morning.

Now, there's

no sliding back now,

not ever again.

Now, whether you like it or not,

I'm taking these two downstairs.

I think maybe we can

give you a hand, Mr. Dadier.

Ok, fellas?

Yeah.

Sure.

Yeah.

No. I think--I think

they'll go along.

Come on, west, let's go!

Belazi!

Come on!

What made you change your mind?

They did.

You ok, Mr. Daddy-o, sir?

I think so, Santini.

I think so.

Mr. Dadier!

[Jangle]

87 cents so far.

Well, thanks, Miller.

Thanks for everything.

It's ok, chief.

There's talk you're

quittin' this school,

going someplace

where there's nice, little

obedient boys and girls.

Now, what do you think?

Oh, I figure it's just talk.

Why?

Well, you know the ropes

around here pretty good now

and it would be a shame

to waste all that.

I guess everybody learns

something in school.

Even teachers.

Yes, I guess so.

Besides, it would

be kind of rough

breakin' in somebody new.

Well, see you tomorrow,

Mr. Dadier?

I thought you were quitting

at the end of the year,

is that right?

Well, we have a pact.

We wouldn't want to break that.

No, I--I guess we wouldn't.

Well...

See you around.

I'll see you around.

♪ One, two, three o'clock,

four o'clock rock ♪

♪ Five, six, seven o'clock,

eight o'clock rock ♪

♪ Nine, ten, eleven o'clock,

twelve o'clock rock ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ Put your glad rags on,

join me, hon ♪

♪ We'll have some fun

when the clock strikes one ♪

♪ We're gonna rock

around the clock tonight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, rock, rock

till broad daylight ♪

♪ We're gonna rock, gonna rock ♪

♪ Around the clock tonight ♪