BLACKBOARD JUNGLE holds an entirely unique place in my cinema experience. I was all of seven years old when I walked to the local movie theater in my Rhode Island suburban neighborhood and laid out the grand total of 20 cents to see it.
It was the first movie that I ever watched alone, and it is the first major Hollywood movie to use a rock 'n roll song for the credit roll. (Rock Around the Clock by Billy Haley and the Comets)
The black and white look gave it a gritty, even scary feel to my very young impressionable mind. I knew that Glen Ford was in an awful situation dealing with these inner city punks and that Vic Morrow was the worst of the lot. I gotta admit he was just a little cool to me as well, especially when he put his switchblade into his desk top.
Despite being released in 1955, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE is not quite as dated as one may believe. Many of the issues within are as current as modern times. It remains a gripping drama.
Anne Francis is the gorgeous, frightened wife, and Sidney Poitier gives a terrific performance as the guy Glen Ford must win over to gain control of his class.
I wouldn't hesitate to check this out again.
It was the first movie that I ever watched alone, and it is the first major Hollywood movie to use a rock 'n roll song for the credit roll. (Rock Around the Clock by Billy Haley and the Comets)
The black and white look gave it a gritty, even scary feel to my very young impressionable mind. I knew that Glen Ford was in an awful situation dealing with these inner city punks and that Vic Morrow was the worst of the lot. I gotta admit he was just a little cool to me as well, especially when he put his switchblade into his desk top.
Despite being released in 1955, BLACKBOARD JUNGLE is not quite as dated as one may believe. Many of the issues within are as current as modern times. It remains a gripping drama.
Anne Francis is the gorgeous, frightened wife, and Sidney Poitier gives a terrific performance as the guy Glen Ford must win over to gain control of his class.
I wouldn't hesitate to check this out again.