Character: Mrs. Tingle

Directed by: Kevin Williamson

Written by: Kevin Williamson

Produced by: Cathy Konrad, Julie Plec

Cast Members: Katie Holmes, Jeffrey Tambor, Barry Watson, Marisa Coughlan, Liz Stauber, Molly Ringwald, Vivica A. Fox

Released date: August 20, 1999

Genre: Comedy, Thriller

The story of a girl who is willing to do anything to become Valedictorian, even if it means murdering the teacher that stands in her way.

Taglines

→ Before school lets out, Mrs. Tingle’s class is going to need a substitute teacher.
→ Teachers pet gets it first.
→ When History becomes Deadly!
→ Some kids give apples to the teacher, others kidnap them.
→ For twenty years, Mrs. Tingle has terrorized her students. This year, three of them are going to teach her a lesson.
→ The fun is just beginning.
→ This summer, the teacher from hell is about to get taught a lesson.
→ You’ve met the Witch, now meet the B-tch.

Trivia

♦ Helen Mirren described the part of Mrs. Tingle as her “dream role”, noting that the appeal was the ability to lay in bed all day in the “most comfortable costume I’ve ever worn”.
♦ Helen Mirren’s sister was a teacher at the time and was appalled when she described the character and the plot of the movie to her. As a result, the two didn’t speak for a long time.

Goofs

» On the night the kids go to Mrs. Tingle’s home, Mrs. Tingle’s robe opens and closes repeatedly between shots.
» When Mrs. Tingle first walks down the hall and kids try to get out of her way, two students dodge her twice. A fat white girl and a black girl wearing a blue dress separate from each other twice. The second time you see them split, the black girl screams as she moves.
» When Luke is feeding Mrs. Tingle the burger and fries and she asks for some wine, the second time he brings the cup up to her lips for a drink, she leans down to take a sip but you can clearly see she doesn’t take a drink at all.

Character’s Quotes

• Irony is the opposite of what is or might be expected. For example, if Ms. Watson was expecting an A on her history project, she might find the actual result to be rather ironic.
• Your work, Mr. Churner, is very reminiscent of a young man who sat in that same chair some 20 years ago. He, too, had the words “No future” printed on his forehead… Do give your father my best.
• Who do you think you’re fooling? You’re so scared I can smell it. Your fear is the most predictable thing about you. You’ve lived your whole life in fear. Terrified of making a mistake, scared to death you won’t get that A, that ticket out. Afraid you’ll never escape your mother and her name tag. Or your father who won’t return your calls. That’s why you shunned Luke and every other boy who has ever tried to put his hands on you. You’re afraid of getting that bad seed. Afraid of giving birth to a child you never wanted. A child you could only blame for your own wretched existence. Stuck in a small town with a small name. Destined to become that very thing you despise the most. I know all about it, Leigh Ann. I wrote the book! I know you.
• Even the innocent sometimes burn at the stake.