Lean on Me (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lean on Me
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	John G. Avildsen
Produced by	Norman Twain
Written by	Michael Schiffer
Starring	Morgan Freeman Beverly Todd Robert Guillaume
Music by	Bill Conti
Cinematography	Victor Hammer
Editing by	John G. Avildsen John Carter
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date(s)	March 3, 1989 (1989-03-03) (United States)
Running time	108 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$10 million
Money made	$31 million

Lean on Me is a 1989 American drama film based on a true story. It stars Morgan Freeman as Joe Louis Clark, a real-life high school principal. The movie shows how Principal Clark worked to improve a struggling school in Paterson, New Jersey.

The school was in danger of being taken over by the state government. This would happen if students did not improve their scores on a special test. The film's title comes from the 1972 Bill Withers song, which is also used in the movie. Some parts of the film, including scenes set in an elementary school, were filmed in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

The Story of Eastside High School

By 1987, Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, faced many problems. There was a lot of trouble and violence, making it hard for students to learn. Most students could not pass important basic skills tests. Even teachers were not safe from fights and disruptions.

The mayor of Paterson, Mayor Bottman, learned that the state would take over the school. This would happen unless 75% of the students passed a special test. The school superintendent, Dr. Frank Napier, suggested a solution. He thought they should hire Joe Clark, a former teacher from Eastside High. Clark had been moved from the school years before.

The mayor was not sure, but he agreed to hire Clark as the new principal.

Principal Clark's Big Changes

Joe Clark was known as "Crazy Joe" because of his strong methods. He made big changes right away. He asked about 300 students who caused a lot of trouble to leave the school. He also started programs to make students feel proud of their school.

This included painting over graffiti on the walls. He also made students learn the school song. If they could not sing it when asked, they would be punished. When a student who had been asked to leave was found fighting another student, Clark took a drastic step. He ordered the school doors to be chained shut during school hours. This was because there was not enough money for proper security doors.

Clark's actions slowly started to help the students. For example, Clark helped one of his old elementary school students, Kaneesha Carter, reconnect with her mother.

Challenges and Conflicts

Not everyone was happy with Clark's strict rules. Some parents, like Leonna Barrett, whose child was asked to leave, complained to the mayor. They wanted Clark removed from his job.

Clark also had disagreements with his own teachers. He suspended Mr. Darnell, an English teacher, for picking up trash during a school song practice. He also fired Mrs. Elliot, a Music teacher, for not following his orders. This happened after he canceled a big choir concert that had been planned for a long time. Dr. Napier talked to Clark about these issues. He told Clark to work better with his team. Clark then allowed Mr. Darnell to return to his job.

Unfortunately, a practice test showed that not enough students were passing. Clark told his staff they needed to do better at teaching and preparing students. He then started a special program to help students improve their academic skills. He also encouraged extra reading classes on Saturdays. Parents could even attend these classes with their children.

The Test and the Outcome

When the day of the important basic skills test arrived, the students were much more ready. They also felt more confident about themselves. Before the test scores were known, the fire chief came to the school. He found the chained doors and arrested Clark for breaking fire safety rules. That evening, students gathered at a school board meeting. Leonna Barrett was leading the effort to have Clark fired.

The students demanded that Clark be set free and kept as principal. The mayor had Clark released from jail. He wanted Clark to tell the students to go home for their own safety. But then, assistant principal Ms. Levias shared exciting news. More than 75% of the students had passed the basic skills test! Clark announced the good news over his megaphone.

Because of this success, the school's leaders were allowed to stay. Clark kept his job as principal. He happily told the mayor that they could tell the state to leave them alone. The students celebrated by singing their school song. The movie ends with the senior students, including Thomas Sams, graduating from high school. Clark hands them their diplomas.

Meet the Cast

Music from the Film

The movie features several songs. Here are some of them:

• "Eastside High School Alma Mater", written by Catherine Peragallo Miller
• "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses
• "I Ain't Makin' It" by Daddy-O and DBC
• "Lean on Me" by Thelma Houston
• "Lean on Me" by Club Nouveau
• "Rap Summary (Lean on Me)" by Big Daddy Kane
• "You are the one" by TKA
• "Skeezer" by Roxanne Shante
• "After 12" by Force M.D.'s
• "All the way to love" by Siedah Garrett
• "Everybody is somebody" by RIFF, Teen Dream, and Taja Sevelle
• "Hit the road Jack" by Percy Mayfield

Awards and Special Mentions

The film Lean on Me received several awards and honors:

1989 NAACP Image Awards

• Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture – Morgan Freeman (won)
• Outstanding Motion Picture (won)

1990 Young Artist Awards

• Young Artist Award Best Motion Picture – Drama (nominated)
• Best Young Actor Supporting Role in a Motion Picture – Jermaine 'Huggy' Hopkins (nominated)
• Best Young Actress Supporting Role in a Motion Picture – Karen Malina White (nominated)
• Jackie Coogan Award – Norman Twain, producer (nominated)

Other Honors The American Film Institute has recognized the film in these lists:

• 2003: AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains:
  • “Crazy” Joe Clark – Nominated Hero (a hero who was considered)
• 2004: AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs:
  • "Lean on Me" – Nominated (a song that was considered)
• 2006: AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers – Nominated (a film that was considered for being inspiring)

See also

In Spanish: Escuela de rebeldes para niños