Teacher's Pet (The Movie, Not The Web Site)

A Hal Roach Productions Release
October 1930 - 2 Reels
Directed by Robert McGowan

FEATURED CAST
Jackie Cooper
Allen "Farina" Hoskins
Norman "Chubby" Chaney
with
June Marlowe (as Miss Crabtree)
and
Our Gang

June Marlowe was not your typical Hollywood actress. She did not seem that interested in doing some of the things actors and actresses in Hollywood would do to further their careers. June was content to take parts that happened to come her way. I'm sure that if she did nothing further after completion of The Lone Defender that would have been okay with her. To our delight she did continue in her career after accepting the part of the new school teacher in an Our Gang comedy. She was so appealing that it led to five reprising appearances. This is a remarkable fact indeed, considering adult roles in the series where mostly limited to one episode.

"This is my first day at the school."

Arguably, this is the best of the Our Gang films. It has a perfect plot, adorable characters, and wonderful comedy set-ups.
For those who have not seen the film, it is about the gang's anxiety over getting a new school teacher after their former teacher, who they greatly admired, had left to get married. Jackie, Chubby, and Farina have planned some practical jokes to play on the new teacher, who must really be an old "battle-axe" what with a name like "Crabtree." Unfortunately for the boys, Jackie unknowingly spills the beans to a pretty stranger who happens to give him a ride to school, and who also just happens to be the new teacher.
Jackie and his cohorts are mortified when they learn the identity of their new teacher but in the end they are forgiven and are treated to ice cream and cake.

Besides being June's first appearance as "Miss Crabtree," there were other Our Gang "firsts." It was the first to feature Beverly and Betty Mae Crane as the "talking titles." It was the first to use the familiar "The Good Old Days" theme song. It was also Stymie's first appearance in an Our Gang film. Conversely, his last film, Teacher's Beau (1935), was one where the studio tried to convince June to return in her "Miss Crabtree" role, an offer she declined.

June, with Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, and Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba.
Photo is signed by the cutie on the end.

For the most part, critics are not kind to the acting abilities of June when it comes to sound films. But critics' comments aside, can you think of anyone else who could have played "Miss Crabtree" any better?

Photograph is from the collection of Don Spears, courtesy of Scott Johnson, courtesy of Dorothy DeBorba.
Thanks Scott! (and Dorothy!)

This film is usually available through many retail, mail order, and Internet outlets.