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40-631: In 2016, Blackboard Jungle was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In the mid-1950s, Richard Dadier is a new teacher at North Manual Trades High School, an inner-city school of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Led by student Gregory Miller, most engage in anti-social behavior. The school principal, Mr. Warneke, denies there are discipline issues, but

80-535: A Hollywood feature. Teens flocked to the film, dancing in theatre aisles as the song played over the opening credits. Parents may have been shocked by such uninhibited behavior, but things got worse when screenings also inspired violence and vandalism around the world. Thanks to BLACKBOARD JUNGLE, the song hit number one on the Billboard charts, eventually selling 25 million copies and becoming what Dick Clark called 'The National Anthem of Rock 'n' Roll'. The film marked

120-578: A large teenage audience for the film, and their exuberant response to it sometimes overflowed into violence and vandalism at screenings. In this sense, the film has been seen as marking the start of a period of visible teenage rebellion in the latter half of the 20th century. The film was banned in Memphis, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia , with the Atlanta Review Board claiming that it was "immoral, obscene, licentious and will adversely affect

160-405: A melodramatic impact that hits hard at a contemporary problem. The casting, too, is exceptionally good." Harrison's Reports called the film: "...a stark, powerful melodrama, sordid, tense, and disturbing. The picture no doubt will stir up considerable controversy, but at the same time it probably will prove to be a top box-office grosser." John McCarten of The New Yorker wrote: "While

200-505: A pact that neither would quit if the other stayed. Dadier's expression makes clear he has no intention of breaking the agreement. Cast notes: Hunter's novel was based on his early job as a teacher at Bronx Vocational High School, now known as Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School in the South Bronx . Hunter, then known as Salvatore Lombino, took the teaching job in 1950 after graduating from Hunter College . He

240-501: A year for the NFPB and Librarian to consider, with an August submission deadline. The NFR includes films ranging from Hollywood classics to orphan films . A film is not required to be feature-length , nor is it required to have been theatrically released in the traditional sense. The Registry contains newsreels , silent films , student films, experimental films , short films , music videos , films out of copyright protection or in

280-419: A year salary (equivalent to $ 45,496 in 2023), as compared with congressmen and judges at US$ 9.25 (equivalent to $ 105 in 2023), policemen and firemen at US$ 2.75 (equivalent to $ 31 in 2023), carpenters at US$ 2.81 (equivalent to $ 32 in 2023), plumbers at US$ 2.97 (equivalent to $ 34 in 2023), and plasterers at US$ 3.21 an hour (equivalent to $ 37 in 2023). In March 2005, the 50th anniversary of

320-475: Is the Dead End kids , the gangster melodrama, in another setting." The Monthly Film Bulletin delivered a mixed to negative assessment: "Contrived situations and some rather thin characterisation reduce the impact and effectiveness of Blackboard Jungle , both as an exposé of a current American educational problem and a plea for more strenuous efforts by teachers at similar institutions. Characters such as

360-557: The Journal of Transnational American Studies published a study with a focus on the film's reception in West Germany and Japan. The influential Jamaican reggae album Blackboard Jungle Dub (1973) by The Upsetters references the film's title. The film touches on the still-current issue of teacher pay . The dialog states that in 1955, the pay for teachers was US$ 2.00 an hour (equivalent to $ 23 in 2023), or about US$ 4,000

400-718: The National Film Preservation Act of 1988, which established the National Film Registry, its purpose, and the criteria for selecting films for preservation. The Act was passed and the NFR's mission was subsequently reauthorized by further acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, 2008, and 2016. The National Film Preservation Board's mission, to which the NFR contributes, is to ensure the survival, conservation, and increased public availability of America's film heritage. The 1996 law also created

440-537: The public domain , film serials , home movies , documentaries, animation and independent films . As of the 2023 listing, there are 875 films in the Registry. As of the 2023 induction there are 875 total films. For purposes of this list, multi-year serials are counted only once (as they are in the Registry) by year of completion. The oldest film in the registry, Newark Athlete , was released in 1891, while

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480-474: The rock and roll revolution by featuring Bill Haley & His Comets ' " Rock Around the Clock ", initially a B-side , over the film's opening credits (with a lengthy drum solo introduction, unlike the originally released single), as well as in the first scene, in an instrumental version in the middle of the film, and at the close of the movie, establishing that song as an instant hit. The record had been released

520-458: The Beanstalk " which sparks discussion about moral choices. Anne goes into premature labor caused by the stress of the phone calls about Dadier's alleged affair. When a neighbor shows Dadier the anonymous letters, he angrily decides to quit. Mr. Murdock encourages him to stay, telling Dadier he is making progress and has inspired him too. Anne apologizes for doubting Dadier's fidelity and says she

560-624: The Clock " was included in the film, making the recording an anthem for rebellious 1950s youth. It was Number 1 on the pop charts for two months and went to Number 3 on the R&;B chart. Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a "fresh" rating of 76%. On their best of Sidney Poitier list, it says: "This was the role that put Poitier on the map. The struggles of educators and students are well documented in this violent and controversial film, based on Evan Hunter's seminal novel about inner-city school conditions. Modern audiences might struggle to sympathize with

600-722: The United States on December 19, 1980, and inducted in October 1990, holds the record for the shortest delay, having been inducted slightly shy of the 10-year minimum. Only nine films have been inducted at the 10-year mark: Raging Bull , Do the Right Thing , Goodfellas , Toy Story , Fargo , 13 Lakes , Freedom Riders , 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom . John McCarten John McCarten (September 10, 1911, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – September 25, 1974, New York City )

640-496: The United States, such as Frank Capra and Martin Scorsese , advocated for Congress to enact a film preservation bill in order to avoid commercial modifications (such as pan and scan and editing for TV) of classic films, which they saw as negative. In response to the controversy over the colorization of originally black and white films in the decade specifically, Representatives Robert J. Mrazek and Sidney R. Yates introduced

680-487: The age of 63. He married three times and had two sons. His obituary in The New Yorker remembered him as "a witty writer, whose sharpest weapon was mockery. Yet, given the force of the opinions he would pronounce in conversation, one marveled to observe his comparative gentleness in print. For, much as he might deplore certain human failings, he could never bear to injure those who embodied them. He learned to tell

720-590: The classroom. West encounters Dadier during his gang's robbery of a newspaper truck. West tells Dadier his classroom is on the streets and to leave him alone. Several students, led by West, assault Edwards in his classroom and destroy his music record collection. Dadier's wife, Anne, who is pregnant, begins receiving anonymous letters and phone calls telling her Dadier and Miss Hammond are having an affair. Dadier discovers Miller can play piano and sing, and wonders why Miller can show such talent but also be so rebellious. Dadier shows his class an animated film about " Jack and

760-401: The false allegations made to both Mr. Warneke and Anne. Dadier subdues West, and the other students join in to subdue Belazi, who has picked up the knife to escape. Miller then leads the class in helping Dadier take West and Belazi to the principal's office. In the final scene, Miller and Dadier ask if the other is quitting at the end of the school year. Miller says no, because the two of them had

800-431: The film has a good many faults (the acting at times is a bit shaky and the conclusion is rather unbelievable), it nevertheless confronts its subject matter head on, and in the circumstances it is an unsettling piece of work." Not all reviews were positive. Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post slammed the film as "so sensationalized as to negate any laudable purpose its supporters claim", further explaining: "Yes,

840-450: The film was shown. The 1982 crime action thriller film Class of 1984 serves as a loose remake of The Blackboard Jungle , with Perry King , Timothy Van Patten and Michael J. Fox in the roles of Glenn Ford , Vic Morrow , and Sidney Poitier , respectively. In 2007, the Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture published an article that analyzed the film's connection to crime theories and juvenile delinquency. In 2015,

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880-498: The first selection in 1989, the public nominated almost 1,000 films for consideration. Members of the NFPB then developed individual ballots of possible films for inclusion. The ballots were tabulated into a list of 25 films that was then modified by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and his staff at the Library for the final selection. Since 1997, members of the public have been able to nominate up to 50 films

920-433: The flirtatious woman teacher and the pregnant wife are fictitious trimmings which only emphasise the artificiality in the handling of the main theme. There are several tense and hard-hitting sequences, and a general atmosphere of strident earnestness, but only in the tiny part of the trade school headmaster, played with considerable force by John Hoyt, is there any real suggestion of complexity or depth." The song " Rock Around

960-431: The impact and the influence of the movie: MGM brought Hollywood into the rock'n'roll era with BLACKBOARD JUNGLE. In search of the kind of music teens like the film's potential delinquents were listening to, director Richard Brooks borrowed a few records from star Glenn Ford's son Peter. When he heard Bill Haley and his Comets perform 'Rock Around the Clock', he found the perfect theme song -- the first rock song ever used in

1000-428: The magazine's regular film critic in 1945, employing a writing style that tended to be terse and was often condescending. He gained a reputation as something of a nemesis of Alfred Hitchcock in particular, whose films McCarten regularly panned. The screenplay for the 1956 British romantic comedy film The Silken Affair was adapted from an idea by McCarten. In 1960, McCarten switched to theatre criticism, where he

1040-469: The most recent, 12 Years a Slave and 20 Feet from Stardom , were each released in 2013. Released in 1898, and selected in December 2022, Mardi Gras Carnival experienced the longest wait, at 124 years (considering the fact that the film was already almost a century old before the Registry was even established, the "wait" was technically only 33 years), while Raging Bull , released theatrically in

1080-519: The non-profit National Film Preservation Foundation which, although affiliated with the NFPB, raises money from the private sector . "Taken together, the ... films in the National Film Registry represent a stunning range of American filmmaking—including Hollywood features, documentaries, avant-garde and amateur productions, films of regional interest, ethnic, animated, and short film subjects—all deserving recognition, preservation and access by future generations. As we begin this new millennium,

1120-451: The papers regularly have news about shocking conditions in the schools. Vandalism certainly is more rampant than it was only a few years ago. Sex crimes and thuggery do occur. Even murder is not beyond our young. But to pile these things and more into a few months within one classroom surely does not show 'courage' on the part of the moviemakers. This approach simply is one more dodge at making a box office buck to anyone with his eyes open. This

1160-530: The peace, health, morals and good order of the city". The film marked a watershed in the United Kingdom and was originally refused a cinema certificate before being passed with heavy cuts. When shown at a south London cinema in Elephant and Castle in 1956 the teenage Teddy Boy audience began to riot, tearing up seats and dancing in the aisles. After that, riots took place around the country wherever

1200-494: The previous year, gaining only limited sales. But, popularized by its use in the film, "Rock Around the Clock" reached number one on the Billboard charts and remained there for eight weeks. In some theaters, when the film was in the first release, the song was not heard at all at the beginning of the film because rock and roll was considered a bad influence. Despite this, other instances of the song were not cut. The music led to

1240-476: The registry stands among the finest summations of American cinema's wondrous first century." —Doctor James H. Billington , Librarian of Congress . The NFPB adds to the NFR up to 25 "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films" each year in December, showcasing the range and diversity of American film heritage to increase awareness for its preservation. A film becomes eligible for inclusion ten years after its original release. For

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1280-478: The release of the film, which had influenced the subsequent upsurge in the general popularity of rock and roll, was marked by a series of "Rock Is Fifty" celebrations in Los Angeles and New York City , involving the surviving members of the original Bill Haley & His Comets. In 2016, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress . The film

1320-415: The school faculty, particularly Mr. Murdock, warn Dadier otherwise. Dadier befriends two other new teachers, Joshua Edwards and Lois Hammond. Dadier's class includes Miller and Artie West, a rebellious bully and gang leader. The class shows no respect for Dadier. Dadier encourages Miller to lead the class in the right direction. After Dadier subdues a student who attacks Miss Hammond, the class gives Dadier

1360-454: The silent treatment and are even more uncooperative. Dadier and Edwards are mugged by West's gang. Reluctant to quit, Dadier seeks advice from his former teacher, Professor Kraal, the principal of an academically superior school with disciplined students. Kraal offers Dadier a job, but he declines. After chastising his class for calling each other racially divisive names, Dadier is himself falsely accused by Mr. Warneke of using racial epithets in

1400-512: The tactics employed by Poitier's character, Gregory Miller, but the cultural impact his performance had on both society and education are undeniable." According to MGM records the film earned $ 5,292,000 in the US and Canada and $ 2,852,000 elsewhere. In 2010, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) listed the soundtrack of the movie on its list of the Top 15 Most Influential Movie Soundtracks of all time. TCM described

1440-632: Was an American writer who contributed about 1,000 pieces for The New Yorker , serving as the magazine's film critic from 1945 to 1960 and Broadway theatre critic from 1960 to 1967. McCarten was born in Philadelphia into an Irish-American family. After serving in the Merchant Marine , he started writing for American Mercury , Fortune , and Time during the 1930s. In 1934, he joined The New Yorker and began contributing satirical short stories and irreverent profiles. He became

1480-504: Was no less tough; on one occasion, theatrical producer David Merrick had McCarten barred from the opening night of Do Re Mi . In July 1967, McCarten suddenly quit reviewing and moved to Ireland . The following year, he submitted the first of his "Irish Sketches", a series of light pieces about Irish art and culture that ran in The New Yorker between February 24, 1968, and November 20, 1971. John McCarten died of cancer at

1520-438: Was quickly disillusioned and quit in frustration after two months. In a positive review, Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote: "As a straight melodrama of juvenile violence this is a vivid and hair-raising film. Except for some incidental romance, involving the teacher and his wife and a little business about the latter having a baby, it is as hard and penetrating as a nail." Variety called it: "...a film with

1560-628: Was released on DVD in North America on May 10, 2005, by Warner Home Video. National Film Registry The National Film Registry ( NFR ) is the United States National Film Preservation Board 's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation , each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB's inception in 1988. Throughout the 1980s, several prominent filmmakers and industry personalities in

1600-547: Was wrong for telling him to quit. Their premature baby boy, though weak, eventually thrives. When Dadier observes West openly copying from another student, he demands that West bring his paper to the front to have it docked five points. West rebuffs his repeated request, but Dadier is unrelenting. The conflict quickly escalates, and West pulls out a switchblade. Dadier does not back down. Miller stops West's sidekick and classmate Belazi from jumping Dadier from behind. The rest of West's gang fails to assist. Dadier accuses West of

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