what was blackboard jungle about

by Hudson Howell 4 min read

What was the purpose of Blackboard Jungle?

Blackboard Jungle, American social-commentary film, released in 1955, that highlighted violence in urban schools and also helped spark the rock-and-roll revolution by featuring the hit song “Rock Around the Clock” (1954) by Bill Haley and His Comets.Feb 16, 2022

Why did Blackboard Jungle cause controversy?

The novel The Blackboard Jungle caused a great deal of controversy surrounding the state of education in the United States during the 1950's. It paints a less than bright picture of inner-city education as it focuses on a young teacher teaching at a trade school filled with young, violent juvenile delinquents.Jan 21, 2007

Is Blackboard Jungle based on a true story?

Blackboard Jungle is a 1955 American social drama film about teachers in an interracial inner-city school, based on the 1954 novel The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter and adapted for the screen and directed by Richard Brooks....Blackboard JungleBox office$8,144,00016 more rows

Was Blackboard Jungle Sidney Poitier's first movie?

Blackboard Jungle: Looking for Gregory Miller Sidney Poitier came to Hollywood in October of 1949 to film No Way Out (1950). It was his first film, and his first leading role. The following year, Sidney had another lead role in Cry, the Beloved Country (1951). ... 27-year-old Sidney played a teenager in Blackboard Jungle.Jan 8, 2022

Did Sidney Poitier star in Blackboard Jungle?

In his third big-screen hit that year, Poitier did a role reversal from his "Blackboard Jungle" days -- this time going behind the teacher's desk at an inner-city London school. Poitier turned to directing in the '70s, first on projects like "Buck and the Preacher" and "Uptown Saturday Night" where he also starred.

Where was the movie Blackboard Jungle filmed?

Although set in 'New York', 'North Manual High School' never existed outside the MGM backlot in LA. In fact, almost the entire film was shot here in the studio. The only real location comes when Mr Dadier (Glenn Ford) returns to his old middle-class school for advice.

How old was Sidney Poitier in The Blackboard Jungle?

He grew up in the Bahamas, but moved to Miami at age 15, and to New York City when he was 16. He joined the American Negro Theatre, landing his breakthrough film role as a high school student in the film Blackboard Jungle (1955)....Sidney Poitier.Sidney Poitier KBE2002–2007Ambassador to UNESCO18 more rows

Who played the teacher in Blackboard Jungle?

Louis CalhernOne teacher (Louis Calhern) openly mocks Dadier's professional concern. Blackboard Jungle has the instincts of a tabloid exposé.

What year did the movie Blackboard Jungle come out?

March 25, 1955 (USA)Blackboard Jungle / Release date

How old is Sidney Poitier and what is his net worth?

Sidney Poitier Net WorthFull Name:Sidney PoitierNet Worth:$20 MillionAge:94Country:United StatesBorn:20 February 19272 more rows•Jan 13, 2022

Who is Sidney Poitier's wife?

Joanna Shimkusm. 1976–2022Juanita Hardym. 1950–1965Sidney Poitier/Wife

When was Sidney Poitier born?

February 20, 1927Sidney Poitier / Date of birthSidney Poitier, (born February 20, 1927, Miami, Florida, U.S.—died January 6, 2022, Los Angeles, California), Bahamian American actor, director, and producer who broke the colour barrier in the U.S. motion-picture industry by becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award for best actor (for Lilies of the ...Feb 16, 2022

Storyline

War veteran Rick Dadier is one of three new teachers hired at North Manual High School, an inner city boys school. This is his first teaching assignment, which he needs to support himself and his insecure pregnant wife, Anne.

Did you know

The original novel was based on author Evan Hunter 's own experiences as a teacher in New York City's tough South Bronx area. Hunter (who found fame as crime writer Ed McBain) said, "I thought I was going to give these kids who want to be motor mechanics Shakespeare and they were going to appreciate it and they weren't buying it.

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By what name was Blackboard Jungle (1955) officially released in India in English?

Why was Blackboard Jungle banned?

Some cities banned it because of its multi-racial content while others did it because of fear that it would spark violence.

What is the movie Blackboard Jungle about?

Dec 10, 2009. Blackboard Jungle is a 1955 social commentary film about teachers in an inner-city school. It is based on the novel of the same name by Evan Hunter. The movie is hard hitting and probably a better representation of juvenile delinquency in the nineteen fifties than Rebel Without A Cause or The Wild One.

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Community Reviews

Absorbed this novel. One of those rarities which I always recommend and often reflect back on in my daily happenings. Impactful and one for the ages. Highly recommend.

What was the first major film to feature rock music on its sound track?

Blackboard Jungle, American social-commentary film, released in 1955, that highlighted violence in urban schools and also helped spark the rock-and-roll revolution by featuring the hit song “ Rock Around the Clock ” (1954) by Bill Haley and His Comets. It was the first major film to feature rock music on its sound track.

Who played Richard Dadier in the movie?

It was the first major film to feature rock music on its sound track. Richard Dadier (played by Glenn Ford) is a well-meaning New York City teacher assigned to a high school where teenage delinquents led by Artie West ( Vic Morrow) terrorize students and teachers alike.

What is the Blackboard Jungle based on?

Blackboard Jungle was based on a popular 1954 novel by Evan Hunter. The film hit a nerve with its unusually brutal depiction of the social conditions of urban schools, and the music and the theme made the movie hugely popular with teenage audiences. Fights and riots broke out in many towns in England where the movie was shown.

What is the Blackboard Jungle about?

Blackboard Jungle follows similar threads as other teen focused movies at the time. Glenn Ford plays a war veteran turned school teacher who has to whip the rowdy students of a New York City high school into shape. Like its predecessors in the genre, the film features all manner of rebellious teens but Blackboard Jungle sets itself apart by addressing the racial injustice of the time. It’s not just the rocking soundtrack that connected with audiences, it was the way that the film acknowledged the real life struggles of young people in the 1950s. Peter Ford, son and biographer of Glenn Ford explained the film’s reach to the Calgary Herald:

When did Blackboard Jungle come out?

With the release of Blackboard Jungle in 1955, the sound became codified and teenagers recognized that a new sound was pounding through their speakers.

Was Rock Around the Clock written for Blackboard Jungle?

Rock Around The Clock wasn’t a hit until it was used in Blackboard Jungle. Despite the fact that “Rock Around the Clock” is the basis of the sound of Blackboard Jungle it wasn’t written for the film the way you might assume. The song had been bouncing around the country for nearly a year as a b-side to a track called "Thirteen Women ...

What song was used in Blackboard Jungle?

Pretty much everyone involved with Blackboard Jungle has taken credit for the film’s use of rock and roll and the cultural significance of the film but it’s most likely that the use of “Rock Around the Clock” was inspired by Glenn Ford’s son Peter who was only seven years old at the time of the film’s release. After principal photography, producers were searching for a sound to inspire the audience, and Glenn Ford borrowed some albums from his son - including the “Thirteen Women” single. However, Ford was under the impression that “Rock Around the Clock” was the A-side thanks to his son’s constant spinning of the track. Producers loved the song and placed it on the opening and closing credits while basing the opening moments of the trailer around it.

Was Blackboard Jungle the end of society?

There must have been plenty of adults who enjoyed Blackboard Jungle, or at the very least recognized that it wasn’t the end of society as we know it. That being said, many adults were horrified by the actions on display in Blackboard Jungle. They were terrified of teenagers and embarrassed that the United States was being presented this way.

Who is Jacob Shelton?

Jacob Shelton is a Los Angeles based writer. For some reason this was the most difficult thing he’s written all day, and here’s the kicker – his girlfriend wrote the funny part of that last sentence. As for the rest of the bio? That’s pure Jacob, baby. He’s obsessed with the ways in which singular, transgressive acts have shaped the broader strokes of history, and he believes in alternate dimensions, which means that he’s great at a dinner party. When he’s not writing about culture, pop or otherwise, he’s adding to his found photograph collection and eavesdropping on strangers in public.

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