I had originally mistaken this for a Baby Huey cartoon since a VHS tape I owned had put this title on it. Now I can say that Teacher's Pest is actually a Famous Studios Noveltoons starring a one-shot character named Junior, a little kid owl with glasses. He mother wakes him for his first day in school. Among his ancestors she shows him are NepOWLean, and Night Owl ("The Black Owl of the family"). On his way, Junior encounters a sleeping wolf. When wolf wakes up, Junior says, "I can't let you eat me right now since I have to go to school." Wolf gets the idea to switch signs that says "School" on one side and "Wolf's House" on the other. Wolf then disguises his house and himself waiting for the little owl. Junior almost goes the RIGHT way before the wolf grabs him and welcomes him as he prepares his kettle and locks his door. Then he hears the mother knocking! As she is let in she sees the boiling pot with Junior in it and gets smart. Junior runs but his mom is stuck so he runs back and beats the wolf to a pulp as the cartoon ends with him singing, "Though I'm just starting kindergarten/ I'll be graduating soooon"...This was a pretty bizarre and hilarious cartoon that may be a little intense for anyone under 6 but should probably provide some ghoulish chuckles for anyone older than that. When I first saw this on a bargain basement VHS tape years ago, I was amazed how good the print actually was! It actually looked brand new save for some skips in frames during the opening credits. And it had the original Paramount logo instead of the NTA or UM&M logo from other Famous cartoons. That's probably because this came out in 1950 since those other companies I mentioned owned the cartoons that came out before that. Anyway, this is well worth seeing for anyone interested in animation from this studio at this time. P.S. The line "So round, so packed, so fully stacked" heard in many of these vintage cartoons was from the radio commercials for Lucky Strike cigarettes. I'm guessing they provided many laughs from theatrical audiences when these cartoons first came out.
2 Reviews
Teacher's Pest is another fascinating Famous entry from the '40s-'50s
tavm27 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Owl fun
TheLittleSongbird6 April 2022
Famous Studios was an inconsistent studio. Really enjoyed much of their 40s output, especially the mid- latter half, but when budgets became lower, the deadlines tighter and the stories more increasingly formulaic (to such an extent that the regular cartoon series in the late-50s onwards became repetitive) they became very hit and miss. 1950's 'Teacher's Pest' doesn't sound that special from the premise and was made when the studio's Noveltoons series began to particularly vary.
Was very worried that 'Teacher's Pest' would be too sickly sweet and have nothing to it. It was a relief that it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise and the complete opposite of what was expected, as one can see in a good way. It is no classic and is not going to be for everybody, but it was much better and a lot less slight and predictable than what was expected. What sounded sugary sweet turned out to be nothing of the kind once it got going.
'Teacher's Pest' does take a bit of time to get going plot wise and is a little too on the saccharine side to start with.
Like many Noveltoons cartoons, it is on the thin side.
On the other hand, 'Teacher's Pest' has a lot that is great and recommendable. Have no problems with the animation, which is vibrant and meticulously detailed throughout. The attention to detail in the backgrounds is so rich and looks so lovely. Winston Sharples' music score is a big high point, this aspect shone in all the cartoons Sharples scored for and was the best thing consistently of any cartoons that weren't particularly good overall) so that was no surprise. It is typically full of character and so dynamic with the action, not to mention sumptuously orchestrated.
Even though the story is on the thin side, as said, the energy once 'Teacher's Pest' gets going is exuberant. Lively without being too hectic. The action in the second half is always entertaining and compelling and the character interaction between Junior and Wolfie drives the cartoon really well. The gags are plenty in the second half, and they are funny and clever and at times wonderfully bizarre. They don't sound novel on paper but are not near as predictable in execution, only the outcome of the cartoon is.
Junior is one of those characters with a cute exterior but actually has a strong and quite crafty personality in the second half. Wolfie is amusing and menacing and it is not a case of one of them being more interesting than the other like what can be found with some similar cartoons. The voice acting is good, especially Sid Raymond who is an ideal fit as Wolfie.
In conclusion, a pleasant surprise. 8/10.
Was very worried that 'Teacher's Pest' would be too sickly sweet and have nothing to it. It was a relief that it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise and the complete opposite of what was expected, as one can see in a good way. It is no classic and is not going to be for everybody, but it was much better and a lot less slight and predictable than what was expected. What sounded sugary sweet turned out to be nothing of the kind once it got going.
'Teacher's Pest' does take a bit of time to get going plot wise and is a little too on the saccharine side to start with.
Like many Noveltoons cartoons, it is on the thin side.
On the other hand, 'Teacher's Pest' has a lot that is great and recommendable. Have no problems with the animation, which is vibrant and meticulously detailed throughout. The attention to detail in the backgrounds is so rich and looks so lovely. Winston Sharples' music score is a big high point, this aspect shone in all the cartoons Sharples scored for and was the best thing consistently of any cartoons that weren't particularly good overall) so that was no surprise. It is typically full of character and so dynamic with the action, not to mention sumptuously orchestrated.
Even though the story is on the thin side, as said, the energy once 'Teacher's Pest' gets going is exuberant. Lively without being too hectic. The action in the second half is always entertaining and compelling and the character interaction between Junior and Wolfie drives the cartoon really well. The gags are plenty in the second half, and they are funny and clever and at times wonderfully bizarre. They don't sound novel on paper but are not near as predictable in execution, only the outcome of the cartoon is.
Junior is one of those characters with a cute exterior but actually has a strong and quite crafty personality in the second half. Wolfie is amusing and menacing and it is not a case of one of them being more interesting than the other like what can be found with some similar cartoons. The voice acting is good, especially Sid Raymond who is an ideal fit as Wolfie.
In conclusion, a pleasant surprise. 8/10.
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