The Class of Miss MacMichael

Last updated

The Class of Miss MacMichael
The Class of Miss MacMichael (1978) poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Silvio Narizzano
Written by Judd Bernard
Produced byJudd Bernard
Starring
Cinematography Alex Thomson
Edited by Max Benedict
Music by Stanley Myers
Production
companies
Brut Productions
Kettledrum Films
Distributed byGala Film Distributors
Release dates
  • 28 December 1978 (1978-12-28)(Australia)
  • 27 January 1979 (1979-01-27)(USA)
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Class of Miss MacMichael is a 1978 British comedy drama film directed by Silvio Narizzano, and starring Glenda Jackson, Oliver Reed, and Michael Murphy. [1] It was based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Sandy Hutson.

Contents

Plot

The film depicts the attempts of an idealistic teacher, Miss MacMichael, to inspire her pupils in an inner-city London school. While trying to help the teens she works with, she also must fight the ultra authoritarian headmaster, Mr Sutton.

Cast

Production

Although the film was shot in Britain it was financed entirely from the United States which the director thought was "disgraceful". [2]

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A curious throwback to the days of The Blackboard Jungle [1955] and, closer to home, To Sir with Love [1967], which fails to make much of a case, in its earnest liberal fashion, for the way society shapes its juvenile delinquents. Reformist in inspiration, inappropriate in interpretation (Oliver Reed plays Sutton the headmaster as though he were a music-hall character), and inexplicable in casting (it is the most unlikely vehicle yet for Glenda Jackson), the film simply limps from one clumsy exhibition of delinquency to the next. It does, however, give work to a fair number of young black actors, which is not an everyday occurrence, and one performance in particular stands out: Phil Daniels as the lanky adolescent with the prurient eye whom Miss MacMichael designates to give the functionaries of the school board an eye-opening tour of the premises' seedier nooks and crannied." [3]

Janet Maslin in the New York Times wrote, "Brut Productions, which once brought you Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class [1973], this time presents her in circumstances that are decidedly déclassé ... Miss Jackson does nothing here that she hasn't done better elsewhere." [4]

Variety criticized the film as, "Treading the usual characterizations and situations", but added, "Though predictable, and the script serviceable for this oft-treated theme, with direction average, it has Glenda Jackson adding her presence to the part of a dedicated teacher who eschews a second marriage to stay with her impossible charges." [5]

Time Out wrote: "Reed, as the neo-fascist headmaster of a school for delinquents, parodies his boorish film persona to the point of farce, alternately strutting around like a boiled turkey or oiling his way with the school's visitors, while Jackson goes at her role of committed teacher/lone befriender of kids with jaw-forward heartiness. Add to this conflict in styles the film's confused intentions – black comedy, the horrific realities of reform schools, a sentimental belief that understanding will overcome – and you have a mess." [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Love Story</i> (1970 film) 1970 romantic drama film written by Erich Segal

Love Story is a 1970 American romance film written by Erich Segal, who was also the author of the best-selling 1970 novel of the same name. It was produced by Howard G. Minsky, and directed by Arthur Hiller, starring Ali MacGraw, Ryan O'Neal, John Marley, Ray Milland and Tommy Lee Jones in his film debut.

<i>A Touch of Class</i> (film) 1973 film by Melvin Frank

A Touch of Class is a 1973 British romantic comedy film produced and directed by Melvin Frank and starring George Segal, Glenda Jackson, Hildegard Neil, Paul Sorvino and K Callan. The film tells the story of a couple having an affair, who find themselves falling in love. It was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, with Jackson winning Best Actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenda Jackson</span> English actress and politician (1936–2023)

Glenda May Jackson was an English actress and politician. She was one of the few performers to achieve the American Triple Crown of Acting, having won two Academy Awards, three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. A member of the Labour Party, she served continuously as a Member of Parliament (MP) for 23 years, initially for Hampstead and Highgate from 1992 to 2010, and Hampstead and Kilburn from 2010 to 2015, following boundary changes.

<i>Women in Love</i> (film) 1969 British film directed by Ken Russell

Women in Love is a 1969 British romantic drama film directed by Ken Russell and starring Alan Bates, Oliver Reed, Glenda Jackson, and Jennie Linden. The film was adapted by Larry Kramer from D.H. Lawrence's 1920 novel Women in Love. It was the first film to be released by Brandywine Productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Reed</span> British actor (1938–1999)

Robert Oliver Reed was an English actor. After making his first significant screen appearances in Hammer Horror films in the early 1960s, his notable films include The Trap (1966), playing Bill Sikes in the 1968 Best Picture Oscar winner Oliver!, Women in Love (1969), Hannibal Brooks (1969), The Devils (1971), Athos in The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974), the stepfather in Tommy (1975), Funny Bones (1995) and Gladiator (2000).

<i>Ill Never Forget Whatsisname</i> 1967 British film by Michael Winner

I'll Never Forget What's 'Isname, also known as The Takers, is a 1967 British comedy-drama film directed and produced by Michael Winner. It stars Oliver Reed and Orson Welles. The film deals with creativity and commercialism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Winner</span> English filmmaker, food writer (1935–2013)

Robert Michael Winner was a British filmmaker, writer, and media personality. He is known for directing numerous action, thriller, and black comedy films in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, including several collaborations with actors Oliver Reed and Charles Bronson.

<i>The Big Sleep</i> (1978 film) 1978 film by Michael Winner

The Big Sleep is a 1978 neo-noir film, the second film version of Raymond Chandler's 1939 novel of the same name. The picture was directed by Michael Winner and stars Robert Mitchum in his second film portrayal of the detective Philip Marlowe. The cast includes Sarah Miles, Candy Clark, Joan Collins and Oliver Reed, and features James Stewart as General Sternwood.

<i>Carry On Teacher</i> 1959 British comedy film by Gerald Thomas

Carry On Teacher is a 1959 British comedy film, the third in the series of 31 Carry On films (1958–1992). It was released at the Plaza Cinema in London on 3 September 1959. It features Ted Ray in his only Carry On role, alongside series regulars; Kenneth Connor, Charles Hawtrey, Kenneth Williams and Hattie Jacques. Leslie Phillips and Joan Sims make their second appearances in the series here, having made their debuts in the previous entry, Carry On Nurse. A young Richard O'Sullivan and Larry Dann – making the first of his four Carry on appearances – turn up as pupils. In 2023, Dann dedicated a chapter of his autobiography "Oh, What A Lovely Memoir" to share his memories of this production. The film was followed by Carry On Constable 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson-Reed High School</span> Public school in Washington, D.C.

Jackson-Reed High School is a public high school in Washington, D.C. It serves grades 9 through 12 as part of the District of Columbia Public Schools. The school sits in the Tenleytown neighborhood, at the intersection of Chesapeake Street and Nebraska Avenue NW. It primarily serves students in Washington's Ward 3, but nearly 30% of the student body lives outside the school's boundaries.

<i>Lost and Found</i> (1979 film) 1979 film by Melvin Frank

Lost and Found is a 1979 British romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Melvin Frank and starring George Segal and Glenda Jackson.

<i>The Triple Echo</i> 1972 British film by Michael Apted

The Triple Echo is a 1972 British drama film directed by Michael Apted starring Glenda Jackson, Brian Deacon and Oliver Reed, and based on the 1970 novella by H.E. Bates. It was shot in Wiltshire.

<i>The Jokers</i> 1967 British comedy film by Michael Winner

The Jokers is a 1967 British comedy film directed by Michael Winner and starring Michael Crawford and Oliver Reed. It was written by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Two brothers hatch a plot to steal the Crown Jewels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen-Stevenson School</span> Private elementary for boys school in New York City

The Allen-Stevenson School is a private boys school for kindergarten through 8th grade in New York City. It opened in 1883 and has been as its present location since 1924.

<i>Good-Time Girl</i> 1948 British film

Good-Time Girl is a 1948 British film noir-crime drama film directed by David MacDonald and starring Jean Kent, Dennis Price and Herbert Lom. A homeless girl is asked to explain her bad behaviour in the juvenile court, and says she’s run away from home because she’s unhappy there. They explain in detail what happened to the last girl who thought she could cope on her own, and this becomes the main plot.

<i>West 11</i> 1963 British film by Michael Winner

West 11 is a 1963 British crime film directed by Michael Winner and starring Alfred Lynch, Kathleen Breck, Eric Portman, Diana Dors, and Kathleen Harrison. It is based on The Furnished Room (1961), Laura Del-Rivo's debut novel, adapted for the screen by Willis Hall and Keith Waterhouse. Set in west London, the title is taken from the postcode W11.

<i>The Rainbow</i> (1989 film) 1989 film

The Rainbow is a 1989 British drama film co-written and directed by Ken Russell and adapted from the D. H. Lawrence novel The Rainbow (1915). Sammi Davis stars as Ursula, a sheltered young pupil, then schoolteacher, who is taken under the wing by the more sophisticated Winifred.

<i>Her Twelve Men</i> 1954 film by Robert Zigler Leonard

Her Twelve Men is a 1954 American comedy drama film starring Oscar-winning Greer Garson and Robert Ryan, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, and written by William Roberts and Laura Z. Hobson. This MGM production was based on the best-selling pseudo-autobiographical book written by Louise Maxwell Baker, Snips and Snails. Baker herself taught at an all-boys boarding school, as the only female teacher in the school. Subsequently, Louise recounts many of the funny stories from her time as a teacher in Snips and Snails, which then translates into the film, Her Twelve Men.

<i>Violent Playground</i> 1958 film by Basil Dearden

Violent Playground is a black and white 1958 British film directed by Basil Dearden and starring Stanley Baker, Peter Cushing, and David McCallum. The film, which deals with the genre of juvenile delinquent, has an explicit social agenda. It owes much to U.S. films of a similar genre.

<i>Our Time</i> (1974 film) 1974 film by Peter Hyams

Our Time is a 1974 American drama film directed by Peter Hyams. The film was written by Jane C. Stanton and stars Pamela Sue Martin, Parker Stevenson, and Betsy Slade. The story is set at a Massachusetts school for girls in the 1950s.

References

  1. "BFI | Film & TV Database | The CLASS OF MISS MacMICHAEL (1978)". 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  2. PRODUCTION INCREASES: Fog Lifts on British Film Industry Tuohy, William. Los Angeles Times , 30 December 1977, p. G1.
  3. "The Class of Miss MacMichael". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 46 (540): 92. 1 January 1979 via ProQuest.
  4. "Movie Reviews". The New York Times . 30 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. "The Class of Miss Macmichael". Variety.com. 1 January 1978. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  6. "The Class of Miss MacMichael". Time Out Worldwide. Retrieved 3 January 2022.