Based on the phenomenally popular CBS radio program, which later made the transition to television in 1952, Our Miss Brooks (1956) became a feature film starring Eve Arden, who had originated the role of man-crazy Madison High School English teacher Connie Brooks.

Al Lewis, who had been the chief writer on the radio series, directed the film from a script he wrote with Joseph Quillan, based on an idea by Robert Mann. The cinematic version of Our Miss Brooks reunited many of the radio and television cast, including Richard Crenna as Walter Denton, Gloria McMillian as Harriet Conklin, Jane Morgan as Connie's landlady, Margaret Davis, Robert Rockwell as Mr. Boynton, (replacing Jeff Chandler when he left to become a full-time film star), veteran actor Joseph Kearns as Superintendent Stone, and Gale Gordon as the blustering principal, Mr. Conklin. In 1952, Gordon told The Ottawa Citizen, "In my years of radio acting, I have enjoyed many parts, but none have pleased me as much as the role of Osgood Conklin in Our Miss Brooks. Everyone has to 'sound off' from time to time, and by letting go steam every Sunday on the show, I'm able to remain a real quiet, peace-loving individual all week long with my family." Also in the cast were Don Porter and a young Nick Adams.

Despite the poster tagline "She's making passes after classes and more he-larious than ever!" the film version of Our Miss Brooks goes in an entirely different direction than either the radio or television program. Wealthy newspaper publisher Lawrence Nolan (Porter), the father of Connie's student, Gary, (Adams) accuses her of being a bad teacher when his son can't keep his grades up. Connie tells Nolan that he's the one to blame for working so hard and not spending enough time with his son. Despite the rebuke, Nolan asks Connie to tutor Gary. Soon, Nolan and Connie have started a romance, which finally stirs up the jealousy of Mr. Boynton (Rockwell) with whom she has long been in love, one of the themes of the radio and television program.

Made for Warner Bros., the film was premiered in Fargo, North Dakota on April 24, 1956. The television program, which had won an Emmy Award and ran for 130 episodes, was already seeing its ratings flag. It was cancelled the following year.

By Lorraine LoBianco


SOURCES:
Hammerston, Claude "Meet 'Miss Brooks' Landlady and Her Principal" The Ottawa Citizen 24 Oct 52
The Internet Movie Database
Knepper, Marty and Lawrence, John The Book of Iowa Films
http://www.ourmissbrooks.com/television-tv-shows.htm