Teacher's Pet (1930) Review: Miss Crabtree is still the best

Is Teacher's Pet worth watching today? Honestly, yes. If you grew up with the Little Rascals on TV or just like seeing kids act like actual kids, it's a gold mine.

Who would enjoy it? People who like simple, physical comedy and don't mind a bit of 1930s dust. Who will hate it? Probably anyone who needs high-stakes drama or can't stand black-and-white shorts. It's much lighter than something like The Soul of France, that's for sure.

The whole plot is basically Jackie Cooper having a total meltdown because he thinks his new teacher is going to be a monster. He's convinced she’ll have a "switch" to beat them with. It’s that classic childhood anxiety where you imagine the worst possible version of a stranger.

There is this great scene early on where Jackie and the gang are riding to school in a beat-up wagon. They meet a pretty lady in a car who helps them out. They don't realize she's the new teacher, Miss Crabtree.

Jackie starts bragging about all the evil things he’s going to do to the new teacher. It is painfully funny because she’s sitting right there, just smiling and listening. You can feel the cringe coming from a mile away.

The kids in this are just so... natural. It doesn't feel like they are over-rehearsed. Stymie and Farina have these little side looks that feel totally unscripted. It’s way more relaxed than the stuff you see in The Dutiful Dub.

The Lunch Scene is Pure Chaos

I have to talk about the lunch. It is easily the best part of the whole twenty minutes. Miss Crabtree suggests a picnic because the kids are being "good" (even though they’ve been trying to scare her with fake snakes).

Chubby brings this monstrous sandwich. It’s like a foot tall. He starts pulling out pickles and whole onions. The way he eats is both impressive and slightly gross.

Everyone is trading food, and there’s this weird sense of community that feels real. It’s not a "cinematic" moment. It just feels like a bunch of kids being messy in a field.

Jackie is sitting there the whole time feeling like a complete jerk. He’s realize he’s been mean to the nicest person in the world. His facial expressions are incredible. He looks like his heart is literally breaking over a prank.

• The fake mouse in the desk is a bit obvious, but the kids' reactions sell it.
• Miss Crabtree (June Marlowe) is genuinely charming. You can see why every kid in the audience fell in love with her.
• The dog, Pete the Pup, just wanders in and out of shots like he's looking for the craft services table.

There’s a bit of a lull in the middle when they’re just sitting in the classroom. Some of the jokes about the "red hot" on the chair go on a little long. It starts to feel like they were just trying to fill the runtime.

But then Jackie starts his big crying scene. Man, that kid could really turn on the waterworks. It’s not even a cute cry; it’s that ugly, snotty, heaving kind of sob.

It makes the movie feel heavy for a second. Then it swings back to being sweet. It’s a weird rhythm, but it works for a short film. It reminds me of the pacing in The Scarlet Shadow, where things just happen and then stop.

Some Small Things I Noticed

One kid is wearing a hat that looks three sizes too big. It never falls off. I spent most of the classroom scene just watching that hat.

Also, the way they talk is so specific to that era. "Gee whiz" and "Aw, heck." It’s kind of refreshing compared to how snarky kids are in movies now.

If you're looking for something deep like Egri csillagok, you're in the wrong place. This is just a slice of 1930s life. It’s about being a kid and realizing that maybe adults aren't all out to get you.

The ending is a bit abrupt. Jackie gets what he wants, everyone is happy, and boom—the end. No big wrap-up. No moral lesson shoved down your throat.

It’s just a solid, funny short. I’d watch it again just for the sandwich scene. Seriously, that sandwich was a work of art.

Anyway, it's better than The Gate Crasher. At least the kids here have personality. Even if you aren't a fan of the Our Gang stuff, this one is the gold standard for why people liked them in the first place.

Final thought: Give it a look if you're bored. It’s short, it’s sweet, and it’s got a giant sandwich. What else do you need? 🥪