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Principal Smithee is a minor character in the television series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin on HBO Max. He is portrayed by Jeffrey Bean.
Tabby's film teacher at Millwood High. Rigid and stern, Mr. Smithee doesn't take kindly to challenges from his students. However after Marshall Clanton is arrested at the end of Season 1, he becomes the principal of Millwood High School.
Biography[]
Personality[]
Physical Appearance[]
Series[]
Season 1[]
In film class, Mr. Smithee roughly hands out papers detailing the students’ latest projects to partner and make a short film inspired by a classic film on the list. Tabby raises her hand, asking why there’s no directors of color much less only two women on the list. Chip chimes in, adding to Tabby’s cause. Mr. Smithee stops her, complimenting her love of film as admirable but the curriculum has been vetted by his colleagues and school board. While she is free to pursue and watch whatever films she wants, she must follow the classroom’s rules. Tabby agrees, and begins to announce her intent to start a film series at The Orpheum beginning with Jordan Peele’s movies. Mr. Smithee interrupts the class and resumes teaching.
Smithee is a chaperone at the Spirit Week Dance.
Mr. Smithee attends a memorial in the gym for Karen Beasley. He listens to Sherriff Beasley's speech.
Chapter Four: The (Fe)Male Gaze
In film class, Mr. Smithee puts the class in partners for their newest assignment. They have to recreate a small film from his approved list but place their own twist on it.
The next day, Tabby tells the class what she and Chip have chosen for their project. It stems from the horror trope of female victims being attacked by masked male psychopaths. The foundation of almost every horror movie, and a line can be drawn straight back to the shower scene in Psycho. Smithee assumes she'll put another naked woman in the crosshairs of Norman Bates. She scoffs at the assumption. She and Chip are flipping the script to make the male character a victim of the female murderer. It will be horror from the point of view of the female gaze.
Chapter Seven: Carnival of Souls
Mr. Smithee gives his film class their final assignment of the semester. They'll work individually to write, direct, and edit a short film based on some aspect of their life. Something meaningful and important to them. A story only they could tell. Tabby flashes back to the party in the woods.
Mr. Smithee keeps Tabby after class to discuss the topic of her final project. He reminds her that the revenge rape story need to be implied and metaphoric, which it will be, because of the way she shoots it. He plans to talk with Principal Clanton to approve the subject. But in the meantime, because of the sensitivity of the subject, he needs her mother to sign a release form saying that it's okay for her to talk about such dark material. She thanks him.
The PLLs present the blood drive to their respective classes. They desperately need their help. America, including Millwood, is in crisis as they have the biggest blood shortage in decades. That's why the administration has agreed that if they donate blood tomorrow, they'll be excused from classes for the rest of the day. For even more of an incentive, they'll be giving away free passes to The Orpheum if they sign up today. Mr. Smithee eyes Tabby from across the room.
He and Tabby go to Principal Clanton's office where Clanton explains that, even though Sidney signed off on her project, the students can't be exposed to such inappropriate content. She rebuttals that the topic of her project, sexual assault and the trauma that comes with it, is something that women deal with 24/7. It's the reality they're living and he can't ignore it. He understands and wishes the world were a safer, better place for her. But he can't approve the film for a class assignment.
Season 2[]
Chapter Eleven: SpookySpaghetti.com
On the final day of Sophomore year, Principal Smithee calls Imogen, Faran, Noa, Mouse, and Tabby into his office. He has bad news for them, with the girls assuming it's about A. He assures them it's not that. Their grades have suffered this year and they failed the keystones. He cannot legally advance them to junior year unless they complete summer school. Imogen clarifies that this is school during summer. It will only be in the mornings and will give them the chance to retake, and hopefully pass, their keystones. They'll be free and clear in one month for July fourth.
A month later, Principal Smithee enters the Section A classroom to tell the girls they will need their extra discipline of coming in early because they failed their practice exams. They managed to do worse than they did before. Imogen begs him as they are trying. He doesn't want any sob stories. If they pass they can move forward and if they fail, the choice is theirs.
After the events of The Reckoning, Smithee gives the PLLs two extra weeks to study for their Keystones. They take them and, on July 4th, girls gather in front of Principal Smithee, who tells them their scores come back. In a surprise twist, they passed. They leap into the air and jump while hugging with glee.
Appearances[]
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Season 1 (6/10) |
Season 2 (2/8) |
Trivia[]
- His name "Mr. Smithee" might be a reference to "Allen Smithee", a placeholder name which the Directors Guild of America uses when a director wishes to have their name taken off of a project.
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Gallery[]
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