Synopsis

Ambitious high school senior Leigh Ann Watson is determined to become valedictorian, but her scholarship hopes are threatened when her vindictive history teacher, Mrs. Tingle, finds a stolen copy of a final exam in Leigh Ann's backpack. Along with two friends, Leigh Ann visits Tingle's home to prove her innocence. When the confrontation spirals out of control, the students must keep their teacher captive while searching for a way out.

Factoids & Trivia

• Kevin Williamson wrote the screenplay before creating Scream and Dawson's Creek. The success of both projects helped move the film into production.

• The film was originally titled Killing Mrs. Tingle. It was intended to have a darker tone, an R rating, and several more violent developments.

• The April 20, 1999, Columbine High School massacre led to the title change to Teaching Mrs. Tingle. The release was also postponed, and scenes were re-edited or reshot before the film received a PG-13 rating.

• Production began in April 1998 and wrapped in July of that year, well before the title change. Filming took place around Los Angeles, with the fictional high school assembled from Rose City High School in Pasadena, Culver City High School, and soundstage sets.

• The movie was released in the United States on August 20, 1999. It opened in tenth place and earned less than $9 million domestically during its theatrical run.

• The film marked Helen Mirren's move into a broad, contemporary black-comedy role after she had become better known for dramatic work.