Why Shoot the Teacher?_
""Everything is funny, as long as it's happening to someone else!""
It's the winter of 1935 and Max Brown is newly arrived in Willowgreen, Saskatchewan - a rural Canadian prairie town - on his first teaching job in a one room schoolhouse. He quickly realizes that this is not a dream situation: the winter is harsher than he's ever experienced, he's living in the basement of the school, the older of his students treat him poorly and his wages are paltry if and when he ever does get paid.
Starring
Bud Cort, Samantha Eggar, Chris Wiggins
Updated Feb 16, 2026
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Year context
Why Shoot the Teacher? was released 49 years ago in 1977.
Overview
It's the winter of 1935 and Max Brown is newly arrived in Willowgreen, Saskatchewan - a rural Canadian prairie town - on his first teaching job in a one room...
Why Shoot the Teacher? is a Drama, Comedy film with a runtime of 1h 40m.
CAST (20)
Bud Cort
Max Brown
Samantha Eggar
Alice Field
Chris Wiggins
Lyle Bishop
Gary Reineke
Harris Montgomery
John Friesen
Dave McDougall
Michael J. Reynolds
Burt Fields
Kenneth Griffith
Inspector Woods
SS
Scott Swan
Dan Trowbridge
Merrilyn Gann
Sheila Barnes
Norma West
Mrs. Bishop
MH
Margery Hill
Mrs. Montgomery
JM
Joanne McNeal
Mrs. McDougall
GG
George Gwin
Dance Caller
DB
Doug Blake
Percy Garfield
AS
Alan Stebbings
Lester Sinclair
JY
Joe Yasinsky
Max's Father
VM
Vernis McCuaig
Max's Mother
RD
Richard Davison
Max's Brother
KB
Kathie Ball
Louise Brown - Max's Sister
JD
Jim Devereaux
Train Conductor
BOX OFFICE
$81
Budget
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Why Shoot the Teacher? about?
It's the winter of 1935 and Max Brown is newly arrived in Willowgreen, Saskatchewan - a rural Canadian prairie town - on his first teaching job in a one room schoolhouse. He quickly realizes that this is not a dream situation: the winter is harsher than he's ever experienced, he's living in the basement of the school, the older of his students treat him poorly and his wages are paltry if and when he ever does get paid.
How long is Why Shoot the Teacher??
Why Shoot the Teacher? has a runtime of 100 minutes (1h 40m).
Who stars in Why Shoot the Teacher??
The cast of Why Shoot the Teacher? includes Bud Cort, Samantha Eggar, Chris Wiggins, Gary Reineke, John Friesen.
What is the rating of Why Shoot the Teacher??
Why Shoot the Teacher? has a rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on 5 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Drama
Comedy