A sentimental celebration of the teacher as one of societyās most fundamental institutions, and we certainly need to be reminded of that fact sometimes. This episodic film takes us along for the most memorable parts of a beloved teacherās life, from the later decades of the 19th century and onwards. Initially both the film and Miss Bishop are so pleasant and inoffensive that we begin to wonder if there will be any kind of conflictā¦ but thereās plenty of sorrow in her life. We also see examples of how society changes as she grows older. Martha Scott is good in the lead, even surprisingly believable as a much older Miss Bishop.
1941-U.S. 95 min. B/W. Directed byĀ Tay Garnett. Novel: Bess Streeter Aldrich. Music: Edward Ward. Cast: Martha Scott (Ella Bishop), William Gargan (Sam Peters), Edmund Gwenn (Professor Corcoran), Sterling Holloway, Sidney Blackmer, Mary Anderson.