Sandy Dennis stars in Up the Down Staircase, a film about an idealistic teacher who comes to an underprivileged school and faces obstacles beyond her expectations. Like other films of this kind (To Sir With Love, etc), Dennis plays a teacher who has only the best interests of her students in mind, but what she discovers is a world of paperwork, filling out forms, and uncooperative students. She has to find a way to connect to the kids. This experience is definitely not what she had dreamed about when she decided to become a teacher, however the students grow on her and vice versa. This is definitely a dramatic vision of a school system where the non-privileged kids attend. Many are simply not interested in learning. After all, what difference will their lives be if they learn about Shakespeare? But once she gets through to them, things start to look up.

This is one of five films in the Leading Ladies Collection, Volume 2. The others include A Big Hand for the Little Lady starring Joanne Woodward, I'll Cry Tomorrow starring Susan Hayward, Rich and Famous starring Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen, and Shoot the Moon starring Diane Keaton. Every one of these actresses were A-list in their time, and these films show their talent to the fullest.

Lovers of great films, and great actresses, will enjoy every one of these films in this wonderful collection.

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