The Little Teacher

Most of the Mack Sennett productions of the 1910s were made by the seat of their pants. In other words, there were seldom scripts...just a basic story idea...and the actors were told to 'act funny'. Winging it sometimes worked well...often it didn't and Sennett's later films, which were scripted, are generally much better. So, the fact that "The Little Teacher" actually seems to have a coherent plot and not just people bonking each other makes it unusual for this period. While I would certainly applaud this, there is a minor problem...the film forgot to be funny. Now the antics of the 'kids' in this schoolroom comedy were supposed to be funny and perhaps were seen that way in 1915, but when seen today it all seems pretty limp....plus you question how anyone would think who actors (Sennett himself and Fatty Arbuckle) would be perceived at kids when they were 35 and 28 respectively! And, sadly, the leading lady (Mabel Normand) just seems lost most of the time with little to do. A clear misfire.

The version reviewed had the title, A Small Town Bully(adapted from The Little Teacher). Whether this was meant as a remake of the 1909 Griffith film in which Sennett was also in is somewhat doubtful. Except for the basic premise of a new teacher and wild students, there is no other similarity. There doesn't seem to be any classic novel with this title, although there was a play, but it wasn't written until 1918 or 1919. Mabel Normand has the lead, but she doesn't have to stretch her acting talent. 3rd lead, Mack Sennett, really has the juiciest role and makes the most of it. If you thought the Bowery Boys were the only adults playing juvenile delinquents, watch Mack & Fatty in this film! Can you go wrong in making a classroom hijinks silent comedy film? A resounding no! There is a brief love interest for Mabel involved, and people fall off a bridge and into the water. Fast paced and fun to watch.