Good Morning, Miss Dove

source: Good Morning, Miss Dove

Moviecut—Good Morning, Miss Dove

Growing up in the '50s, I was fortunate to have teachers like Miss Dove. I hope I was such a teacher myself in later years.

Some reviewers characterize Jennifer Jones' Miss Dove as an aloof robot, devoid of any humanity, and unrealistic. It's certainly easy to agree with this point of view, at the superficial level. Clearly, one of her goals in life is to seem omnipotent in knowledge and graces, and to instill this attitude in her students by example. But, she is not quite unique in this respect. I had a high school teacher who closely resembled Jennifer's characterizations. She was universally respected by her students, but also feared and hated by those not willing nor able to live up to her high standards. To those, she was an unfeeling witch. I suspect that there were those students of Miss Dove who also fell into that category. Like Miss Dove, this teacher was a spinster, who had given up the possibility of an adventurous life with a suitor, and the likelihood of children for a role she considered more important: a chance to indoctrinate a lifetime of children with her knowledge, love of knowledge, and graces. At least outwardly, she refused to have 'pet' students who took her goals seriously. Some came back many years later for advice. I wonder whether the name Dove is intended to have symbolic meaning? Doves in particular, or sometimes other birds are often symbolic of certain attributes. Among the traditional possibilities are innocence, gentleness, peace, freedom to fly wherever(mostly via books in her case), a link between heaven and earth(as the Holy Spirit, for example), love and fidelity. Perhaps you can see several of these attributes applying to Miss Dove. One feature of the film you may find confusing is the frequent switching back and forth between the present and past. I counted 10 such incidents. Keeps you awake keeping up with the changes. The film climax occurs at the end, when her former student Dr. Baker rushes in to her hospital room to tell that his wife(also a former student) had just given birth to twins: 2 more prospective students of Miss Dove. And, oh yes, her biopsy had just been reported as negative. Church bells through out the town clanged and a crowd had gathered under her window to wish her well: the 'terrible' Miss Dove.

Excellent entertainment guaranteed to get the weepy eyes out and the warm and fuzzies too. This movie reminds me of Goodbye Mr. Chips which was good but I thought they could have done more in that movie to stress the point of all the good Mr. Chips the teacher did. Here, they do just that via flashbacks which are highly entertaining and give good background to the story-telling. In a Twilight Zone episode titled "The Changing of the Guard", they also capture the theme of this movie quite well so if you like either example I gave you will love this movie as it takes its place among them. A couple of those flashbacks had me in tears as you realize that those people are you or someone you know who cannot only use a helping hand but also allow us all to contribute to a better world one person at a time. Who hasn't gotten to where they are today without help of some kind? Imagine if you turned that principal up a few notches. That's what is going on here only someone donates their life (literally) to the theme. Good investment by my tally. Good supporting cast too with familiar faces that became famous in their own time. The virtues acted out and displayed in this move are numerous. Humility, sacrifice, service, hope, charity, unconditional love, honesty and commitment all come on the screen throughout this movie and make their points. We are also reminded not to base everything we do solely on money outcomes but instead to invest in the bigger picture of life that build character and joins the everlasting properties into eternity. I am also reminded of the many who we don't hear about, who stay in the shadows doing their share of good happy to do so and going unnoticed for it but perfectly content and satisfied. Why? The simplest answer is found in a well known scripture that keeps teaching us this principal: When you did it to the least of them, you did it to me. I know you. Come forward faithful steward. That's all that counts in the end is that you are recognized by the one who sent you here just for that purpose. Good movie to snack with plus a tasty drink, Kleenex on standby and bring an open heart so your soul can be cleansed too. Enjoy! I did!

Miss Dove was my mother....well..., at the very least, she could have been. A second grade teacher for almost 30-years, she was responsible for profoundly impacting hundreds of children that now, have children of their own & some even grandchildren. Now deceased ('13), she retired in '98 & spent the next 15-years investing her life into the lives of my son & daughter (both, now young adults). Over the years, theres no telling just how many, parents, relatives, friends & former students that, have shared, their deepest & most personal of affections & appreciation (to me & my brothers), for the impact & role that, their 2nd Grade teacher played, in shaping their formidable years. Perhaps only one in hundreds of teachers, should ever truly be considered the caliber of a 'Miss Dove' (or perhaps one in thousands). Nevertheless, In large part, teaching isn't for the faint of heart, especially elementary education, and not only is the profession of early-age-educators a tedious proposition, but the rewards are often intrinsic, rarely monetary & they offer little, if any, genuine respect (as a profession). This was indeed a great film, brilliantly written, meticulously directed, extraordinarily acting & a great tribute film, to all the legitimate, wonderful Miss' Dove's that, without promise of fame or fortune, selflessly poured their love & life, into so many beautiful children.

Copyright 1955 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Roxy: 23 November 1955. U.S. release: November 1955. U.K. release: 25 June 1956. Australian release: 12 April 1956. Sydney opening at the Regent. 9,644 feet. 107 minutes. SYNOPSIS: The story takes place in a small New England town where a generation of its people has been exposed to the same teacher, Miss Dove (Jennifer Jones). This morning on her walk to the schoolhouse as she had done every day for 35 years Miss Dove passes the house of Dr. Thomas Baker (Robert Stack) and his lovely, but pregnant, wife Jincey (Kipp Hamilton). As she walks down the street Mr. Porter ( Robert Douglas ), the banker, Rev. Alexander Burnham (Biff Elliott) and all the townspeople set their watches by the punctual Miss Dove. In the geography room she collapses with a spinal attack and while she is waiting for help her memory goes back to the day she was 19 and learned that her father had "borrowed" $10,000 from the bank he headed as president. It was then she decided to turn her back on romance and dedicate her life to teaching and paying back the money. NOTES: Fox's 44th CinemaScope release was only moderately successful in the U.S.A. and did virtually no business at all in England. In Australia, on the other hand, the picture was a smash hit. COMMENT: Not my cup of tea. A female version of "Goodbye, Mr. Chips", acted with such all stops out sentimentality by Jennifer Jones that some members of the cast (notably and most disappointingly Robert Douglas) don't even bother to compete. Worse still, it's all directed in a studiously dull fashion by Henry Koster. In my view, this movie is strictly suitable for Jennifer Jones fans only.

I now know that they were definitely the biggest and best influences on my life as a young man. I watched this movie in tears most of the time, and yet enjoyed it immensely. Now I'll buy it for my own children and grandchildren - simply because when they reach old age, they too should look back and realize just how important {a good teacher} was to your life. A favorite moment - Miss Dove (referring to the town policeman, whom she -of course- had taught when he was a young student): "William Holloway started out with a gift rarer than mathematical genius or perfect pitch. A child in whom the ethical instinct was as innate as the function of breathing." A cop. He knew, he's always known - because of Miss Dove. God Bless You teachers, each & every one of you. It truly is - a calling.

It feels like it should have been about an hour shorter and I only watched the last hour because I already had time invested. It's a bit corny, however the acting is decent and it's tolerable to watch but if you just started watching it and are reading reviews here to figure out what to do, I would personally skip it.

While not a big film, director Henry Koster again crafts a small gem of a person who shapes the lives of generations of students in her small town. Along with "Goodbye Mr. Chips" and Mr. Hollands Opus" this film is one of a handful of films that comes along once in a generation that leaves you feeling good and yet touched by the affection in the film. Under a stern and crusty exterior Miss Dove reflects on the course of her life as a teacher, when she is rushed to the hospital. Students come from everywhere to celebrate her and out of concern for her. It is the happy ending, like that in "Mr. Holland's Opus" and the mixture of humor and gentle drama of "Goodbye Mr. Chips" revisited and done well. I hope that it will eventually be available on DVD. I give it two thumbs up.