MovieChat Forums > Up the Down Staircase (1967) Discussion > Depressing Film

Depressing Film

posted 14 years ago by shulma2002
7 replies | jump to latest

Believe it or not, I saw this film at the Radio City Music Hall back in '67. I was in college studying to become a teacher. The film depressed me and made me feel sick but once I entered teaching, I saw how real the film was. Teaching is no bed of roses and is not a fulfilling profession if teaching in the inner-city. I taught for over 31 years and had few "good" days. The film was actually very truthful. You must be very dedicated or "out of your mind" to want to teach. Sandy Dennis was excellent. I remember Jean Stapleton as the school secretary. This was years before she played Edith in "All in the Family".

[–] tmaj48 14 years ago

Were you very dedicated or "out of your mind"?

What subject did you teach?

C'mon, if you had it to do over again, wouldn't you still have gone into
teaching? It's not the most (financially) rewarding career, but you've
got to admit, it's still one of the most interesting ones, isn't it?
I'd love to hear some of your stories.

I'm not crying, you fool, I'm laughing!

[–] gotoyomama 14 years ago

i saw this movie a while back and recall it as being rather bleak but it was good and hve seen it a couple of times since i did in fact enjoy it. One scene that really stuck out for me was when that teacher critiqued the love letter. Man, that was brutal ! lol

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

That scene was indeed brutal and shows the teacher to be the prissy snob I thought he was at the beginning of the film. On the other hand, I'm sure the student thought twice the next time she used ellipses ...

I can understand why teachers -- or anyone else, for that matter -- would find this film depressing in the '60s, but it also had humor and showed the dedication of educators. In fact, the '60s school system almost seems like a "golden era" today with our weapons, gangs and cell phones. Hats off to the teachers who dedicate their lives to educating young minds. Someone has to do it.

[–] dogsandcats5 14 years ago

I just watched the film for the first time. I found it to be very realistic in many ways.

I have been teaching English in New York City (actually in the borough of Queens) since 1987. I have been pretty lucky that the three schools I have been in have all been pretty good.

Some kids are wonderful and you want to hug them. Some you want to put their heads through the wall. But when it clicks, and you see a light bulb go off in their heads, it is worth it. I have had 15 student teachers and most of them are teaching still, so I must be doing something right. However, I am looking forward to retiring in about six years!

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

Congratulations for sticking with it for 23 years, and all the best to you for your remaining six. Teachers are undervalued, underpaid, overworked and overstressed, but the fact that you've remained in the same district this long attests to your dedication and value.

It's unfortunate that there's been only a handful of decent films about the educational system since this one was released. I'm sure there are some amazing stories out there from the perspective of both teachers and students, but sadly, it's not the type of material that studios care to touch.

[–] MystMoonstruck 9 years ago

I feel that the TV series "Room 222" did a wonderful job. It followed the success of "Up the Down Staircase" and "To Sir, With Love".

All are very truthful about schools and teaching though the series was a lot more upbeat. It did touch on a surprising variety of topics.

(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC

[–] snelling 9 years ago

Hardly depressing.

"I will not go down in history as the greatest mass-murderer since Adolf Hitler!" - Merkin Muffley