Really, stealing cameras from little girls?

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Yes I felt that scene was a bit weird, but maybe not for the reason others think of(though that was in the back of my mind). It was difficult to watch because here is this man approaching an innocent little girl and forcingly tries to take her camera from her. It was innocently motivated of course, but I just thought 'poor little girl must be scared' and she seemed to be. That there has nothing to do with the era.

He did sound creepy when asking for the camera. Just his mannerisms and the tone of his voice and the words he was using just didn't come off right.

It's a comedy! How was it creepy?
He was desperate and needed a camera. I thought the little girl could have been a bit more animated in her denial but found the scene hilarious.
You want creepy...watch "Leon The Professional."

"It's only a movie." ~ Alfred Hitchcock

It was certainly ill-mannered. But as one poster noted, neither Peck's nor Albert's characters were perfect men.
What bothers me more is the way the filmmakers thoroughly neutered the teacher who protects the girl. Glasses, suit. If her hair were in any tighter a bun it would have strangled her head.
Teachers have lives you know.