Les fils de Mademoiselle

Her Twelve Men marked Greer Garson's farewell to MGM, the studio that had brought her over from the United Kingdom in 1939 and for whom three years later brought home an Oscar for Mrs. Miniver which also was The Best Picture of that year.

This film is hardly in the category of Mrs. Miniver, but it's a pleasant enough family film about a woman who takes a first time teaching job at a private boy's school called The Oaks. In fact it's also the first time this venerable institution ever hired a woman and that fact proves unsettling to a lot of people, kids and faculty.

But Greer turns out to be a natural for the job and some of these kids in the boarding school turn out to need a woman's touch. Her scenes with young Donald MacDonald who plays a kid who was essentially dumped at the school while his jet setting parents are gadding about the globe are especially touching.

Greer has three male admirers as well, faculty members Robert Ryan and James Arness and Barry Sullivan multi-millionaire widower father of another troubled youth Tim Considine. Guess who she ends up with.

Richard Haydn plays the school headmaster who is opposed to her at first, but who gradually sees having a woman on the staff ain't the worst thing possible. Haydn who is normally pulling out all the stops playing fussbudgets is rather restrained in his performance and the usual shtick is under wraps.

Her Twelve Men holds up well since those Eisenhower days and is still a good family film.

This is a rather easy film to predict and it was pretty schmaltzy--having a very liberal helping of sentimentality thrown into the mix. However, despite this, the acting and script were so much fun that I still encourage you to give the film a look--especially since it's a lovely film that can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Greer Garson (in one of the later roles of her career) plays a new teacher at a boys boarding school. Since all the faculty had been men, people at the school are taken a bit back by her arrival. However, since it is sweet old Greer, it's not surprising that the kids all come to love her and need her. She is like a slightly sterner version of the movie Maria Von Trapp, but without all the singing! About the only story element I disliked was when Greer wrote letters to one lonely boy in which she pretended to be the kid's uncaring mother and father. Lying to the boy seemed cruel and stupid--as one day he's bound to realize his parents were too self-absorbed to even bother writing. Why she didn't just send him letters in her name or arrange for mail to come for him I just didn't understand.

Still, the film is enjoyable and sweet, so I suggest you give it a try. Not among Garson's best, but still a likable little film.

I saw the film last year and I was very impressed with the subtle yet warm portrayal given by Greer Garson.Perhaps it was the empathy she displayed, that is all too lacking these days among the Educational elite.Or,it may have been the foreboding sense of tragedy(seen too often among todays youth) that could only been avoided by the devotion and tenderness of an educator such as was played by Ms. Garson in this underrated film.Its thesis is one that should never be considered"dated" or "outmoded":There is a priceless reward waiting for the professional who can achieve exploits in classroom erudition by forging an emotional bond with a neglected child.

The opening credits give you a cheerful, jazzy rendition of Mozart's "Minuet" from Don Giovanni, so you know you're in for a cutesy, good time in Her Twelve Men, one of Greer Garson's last movies. She plays a new teacher in an all boys' school, the first lady teacher they've ever had. Headmaster Richard Haydn thinks she's just what the school, and the young boys need, but her colleague Robert Ryan thinks she has a lot to learn. He's critical at every turn, but will their antagonism make way for respect and camaraderie? You'll have to watch this charming movie to find out.

Greer is such a pro, and she adds class and grace to all her roles. If this were a June Allyson movie, it would have turned into an annoying screwball comedy. Even Deborah Kerr (who, it can be argued, replaced Greer) probably would have added more drama than was necessary. Greer is just right, and it's a pleasure to see her grow, learn, and care for the boys in her charge.

It's also a great treat to see Robert Ryan in a role he doesn't usually take on. When's the last time he played someone highly educated but too shy to act on his romantic feelings? Never. Greer is a strong woman, and she needs a strong man who can equal her stature and presence. Robert is a great match for her, but will he speak up in time, or will she get swept up off her feet by another strong man, Barry Sullivan (a wealthy, respectful father of one of her students)?

Robert is a seasoned teacher who isn't afraid to tell Greer when she's handling the boys badly. In one scene, a child comes to Greer with a tummy ache, and she tries to fix it with castor oil. Robert tells her it was just a case of homesickness, and the next time it happens, she treats the problem with a hot chocolate instead. There are several lessons to learn, and not just for the boys. If you liked this heartwarming movie, try watching The Emperor's Club, a modern movie about a beloved teacher in an all-boys' school.

I found it to be quite an affecting, warm-hearted film. Surely nobody could have played the new teacher as well as Miss Garson, and it is always a pleasure to see Robert Ryan playing a "good guy" instead of a pyscho-killer! Many excellent small parts for worthwhile players such as Barbara Lawrence, Ian Wolfe, Ivan Triesault, Frances Bergen, etc. Maybe it is just a big hunk of middle-brow sentimentality but I loved it!