Curley

Curley

Year: 1947

Runtime: 53 mins

Language: English

Director: Bernard Carr

Comedy

He’s all boy! He’s all joy! He’s CURLEY. The students of Lakeview Elementary devise comedic ways to torment their new teacher.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Curley yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Curley (1947)

Trace every key event in Curley (1947) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Substitute arrives at Lakeview Elementary

The beloved former teacher has married, and a substitute is appointed to Lakeview Elementary. Miss Johnson, described as eccentric, steps in to lead the class. The staff and students quickly sense that this substitute will be an unusual challenge to manage.

before the first day Lakeview Elementary School
2

Curley and classmates plot to get rid of the new teacher

Curley gathers his friends to plot pranks meant to undermine Miss Johnson. They hope to prove she can't control the energetic class. The scheme reflects a wish that the substitute quit so they can fish all day.

before the first day Lakeview Elementary School
3

Miss Payne discovers Mildred is Miss Johnson's niece

The county supervisor, Miss Payne, visits Miss Johnson and learns that the new teacher is Mildred, Miss Johnson's niece. She immediately doubts Mildred's youth and experience will be enough to run the rowdy class. Her suspicions set up a test for Mildred's authority.

before the first day Miss Johnson's residence
4

Miss Payne warns Mildred about the challenge

Miss Payne warns Mildred that she may be too young to manage the Lakeview kids. She cautions that maintaining discipline will be a major hurdle for the substitute. Mildred listens, taking the warning in stride.

before the first day Lakeview area
5

Curley reveals the prank plan on the way to school

On the way to school, Curley encounters the new teacher and begins telling her about the planned pranks on 'Pigglepuss'. He even describes placing his pet frog, Croakey, on the teacher's chair. Mildred listens with a calm, curious, but nonjudgmental demeanor.

morning of the first day On the road to Lakeview
6

First day begins; Mildred proves kind and patient

In the classroom, the students discover that their new teacher is Mildred, not Miss Johnson, and she responds with kindness. She treats the kids with patience and fairness, setting a gentler tone for the class. The pupils begin to rethink their preconceptions about her.

morning Lakeview Elementary School classroom
7

Rocket car prank misfires and fills the room with smoke

Curley's rocketship car is loaded with rockets and smoke bombs and is supposed to cause a spectacle. The car is hijacked by Dis and Dat, two mischievous students, who take off with it. The misadventure explodes into thick smoke that clouds the classroom.

afternoon Lakeview Elementary School classroom
8

Car and haystack chaos across the fields

Dis and Dat drive the car across the fields and into a haystack, dragging the haystack along on their wild ride. The unusual spectacle rolls into a rural area, baffling onlookers. Miss Payne arrives, shocked by the chaotic pursuit.

afternoon Fields near Lakeview
9

Miss Payne crashes while chasing the haystack

Miss Payne arrives on the scene and, trying to avoid the moving haystack, crashes her car. She voices her disappointment with Mildred for supposedly failing to discipline the class. The incident underscores the tension over control of the classroom.

afternoon Near the fields
10

Mildred stages a picnic and teaches sports

Mildred turns to a different approach, taking the children on a picnic with her aunt. She teaches baseball, football, and boxing during the outing and sets a standard for active learning. She also offers extra lessons after school, tied to good grades.

afternoon Picnic site outside Lakeview
11

Mildred's boxing match attracts attention

Mildred engages in a boxing match with Hank, the tough student, drawing Miss Payne's attention. The scene highlights Mildred's willingness to engage physically with the students in a controlled way. The confrontation strains the afternoon's calm.

afternoon Picnic area
12

Hank is knocked into a lake; Curley confronts the situation

Curley returns from hiding and, mistaking Hank for harming Mildred, attacks Hank and sends him flying into a lake. Mildred reassures him with cake and ice cream, calming his fear of expulsion. She then retrieves Croakey, the frog, marking a gentle close to the day's chaos.

late afternoon Near the lake; schoolyard

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 12:37

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Curley Summary

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Curley Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Curley

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