Our Miss Brooks (1956) User Reviews

Revising the End & Wrapping It All Up...................

[redryan64 · 6/10 · 28 April 2017]

WHEN THIS THEATRICAL movie hit the local theatre screens in 1956, the CBS Network powerhouse sitcom was long over the hill and heading toward its eternal reword in Sitcom Heaven. Ignoring the old axiom of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!", those in charge at CBS decided to revamp the series with unnecessary changes of venue (different school), setting (City & state) and cast characters.

WELL, THERE HAD certainly been enough popularity and appeal left in this now "venerable" CBS Radio/Television and someone had the brainstorm to bring its story and original characters to the big screen of our local theaters. Disdaining the changes that had been foisted on us in the waning days of the series, the theatrical version of OUR MISS BROOKS brought the story back to Connie Brooks' arrival at Madison High School and her meeting with Mr. Boynton, Mrs. Davis, Walter Denton, Mr. Conklin, Harriet Conklin, "Stretch" Snodgrass, .....etc.

ADDED TO THE original gang and story-line was a sort of subplot involving Mr. Conklin's running for office of Educational rep and the introduction of Don Porter as widower and well to do newspaper publisher (and potential suitor) Lawrence Nolan. Then Warner Brothers contract player, Nick Adams, portrayed son of the rich guy, Gary Nolan.

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, the picture was a successful 1950's style comedy that did a great job in closing the OUR MISS BROOKS story with a "....And They Lived Happily Ever After!" fairy tale ending.

THE FILM ALSO gave us a chance to see the members of the supporting cast at their very best. These players are: Gale Gordon (Mr. Conklin), Jane Morgan (Mrs. Davis), Richard Crenna (Walter Denton),Gloria McMillan (Harriet Conklin)and Leonard Smith (Stretch Snodgrass). Robert Rockwell (Mr. Boynton) was perhaps shown to the best as he was allowed to show much of his yet unseen abilities.* Also, before we forget, cameo by lovely, statuesque and non-speaking, uncredited actress is really June Blair; formerly Playboy Magazine's "Playmate of the Year for 1957, as well as the future Mrs. David Nelson ADVENTURES OF OZZIE & HARRIET).

TAKING THE TIME to screen this theatrical film version of OUR MISS BROOKS will prove to be time not wasted by anyone.

NOTE: * The part of Mr. Phillip Boynton on the radio version was portrayed by one Ira Grossel; who would change his name to Jeff Chandler and pursue a most successful, but all too abrupt film career. But whoever was to play the very naive Biology teacher would have to be taller than average; as Miss Eve Arden was, herself, a very tall woman.

movie involving the TV and radio characters

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 21 March 2015]

I remember the TV series "Our Miss Brooks," though it's possible I saw it in syndication. 1952 is a little early, even for me.

After the show was canceled, this film was made, completely ignoring the fact that Brooks had moved on to an elementary school. We go back to her arrival at Madison High, meeting Mr. Boynton, etc. We also have a subplot involving a student (Nick Adams) and his wealthy father (Don Porter).

I love seeing Richard Crenna playing the teen-aged Walter Denton - he went on to so much good work in TV and film. Eve Arden plays Miss Brooks the way unmarried women were played in those days -- desperate to get married. Arden always had that wry delivery that served her well in this role. Despite wanting to nab Mr. Boynton, the character of Connie Brooks is a good teacher and an independent woman, dedicated to her work and students.

Robert Rockwell, Gale Gordon, and the rest of the TV cast is on board. Few people realize that Robert Rockwell worked into the mid-'90s, and if you recall the Werther's candy commercial with the attractive white-haired man giving his grandson Werther's, that was him.

Nice trip down nostalgia lane. It was a more innocent time for sure.

Surprisingly good (not great) film

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 7/10 · 29 April 2017]

I've always liked Eve Arden...as a supporting actress, and I remember the reruns of this television series. I wasn't expecting a lot here, but was pleasantly surprised. It's not a great film, but it's quite enjoyable.

For me -- a retired teacher and principal -- the problem with the film was all the things that just wouldn't have happened it a school...except when it comes right down to it, I've never seen a film about a teacher where there was ALMOST no classroom scenes involved. But, that's okay.

This is really a love story, although a bit off beat. It's homey, not bad at capturing the era, and it's interesting to see some of the actors involved.

Eve Arden was very good in this role, although I remember her more for her sarcasm in other films...usually quite delicious. There's the wonderful Gale Gordon (of "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy") as the principal. Don Porter is here as a potential love interest and parent; I always enjoyed Porter, although I usually think of him as a television actor. I was not at all familiar with Robert Rockwell, as the real love interest, but I thought he was good here. Jane Morgan as the old lady renting out a room to Miss Brooks was a hoot. Watching this film, and remembering him in the television show, I would have never guess that Richard Crenna would become a really good actor; he was terrible here. Interesting to see Nick Adams as one of the most important students in the film. And, Joseph Kearns as a member of the school board...I used to like him in the "Dennis The Menace" television show.

It's light fare, but I enjoyed it...and the memories.

Always Welcome Connie Brooks

[earlytalkie · 17 March 2012]

This film came out right after the cancellation of the popular TV series in 1956. The writers (from the original series) completely ignored the fact that the TV show underwent a major format change in it's last season. Miss Brooks went to work in an elementary school following the demolition of Madison High. This change never completely worked and the series was cancelled. That said, this feature tells the story, from the beginning, of Miss Brooks arriving in Madison, meeting and moving in with Mrs. Davis, and progressing in her romance with Mr. Boynton over a period of months. There is a secondary romantic subplot interjected with Don Porter, and the film unfolds with virtually the entire cast from the beloved series. The Warner Bros. designed sets closely approximate the ones fashioned at Desilu for the TV show, and Minerva the cat (played by the same cat from the 1950 comedy "Rhubarb") gets ample screen time. Fans of the series and even those who have never seen it or heard the many radio episodes out there will enjoy this funny, gentle story of Connie Brooks and her co-horts.

Eve finally gets to be the star

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 10 July 2017]

Using students to raise funds for the Principal running for office? That doesn't sound ethical, by today's standards. LOVE Eve Arden, the English teacher in "Miss Brooks". My favorite role is when she is Joan Crawford's sidekick in "Mildred Pierce". She never really got her man in films, and thirty years later, Arden is now the principal in "Grease". In the film version of "Our Miss Brooks", she is the English teacher at the local high school, trying to spur a student on. Gale Gordon is the Principal, and his role is actually pretty toned down from all those episodes in "Lucy". The story takes some left and right turns, but it ends up being all about finding Miss Brooks a husband. I had always thought the film came first, but apparently this was released right at the end of the TV series. Here, life would imitate art... Nick Adams plays the troubled student, and would overdose at age 36. It's pretty good, if you just go along for the ride. Not her best role, but not her worst. Directed by Al Lewis, who had written and directed the TV series. Eve did mostly TV shows after this.

I love Eve Arden and seeing her as the lead in this wholesome comedy was wonderful.

[cgvsluis · 6/10 · 11 July 2023]

One of my favorite scenes in this film is between Eve Arden who plays Miss Constance Brooks and her soon to be landlady Mrs. Davis, almost as good as the 'Who's on first' bit. I especially liked that her cat, Minerva, also had to approve. Miss Brooks is new to town and has been employed to teach English at Madison High School. Student Stretch Snodgrass, aka Fabian, gives her a tour which is where she first meets fellow teacher of Biology (Phillip Boynton), who she starts dating. Unfortunately, Phil's idea of a date is peanuts at the zoo...it's a long game, but she is hoping to eventually see him with her in a cute little cottage with a white picket fence.

"Well, ours wasn't the fastest romance on record, but it didn't take any time at all to prove itself one of the slowest."-Miss Brooks

Their military like principal, Mr. Osgood Conklin, is not well liked amongst the staff or the students...so when he decides to run for office of coordinator of education, he figures out a way to have the popular Miss Brooks be his Campaign Manager. Miss Brooks isn't thrilled, until she realizes that him vacating the position would create an opening which would come with a promotion with more money for her love interest the biology teacher Phil. Her selling point to the students...get rid of Mr. Conklin! Campaign slogan "Get Mr. Conklin into public office and out of Madison!"...it's one everyone can get behind.

Miss Brooks has a side project teaching the son of a wealthy newspaper tycoon Lawrence Nolan, played by Don Porter, who becomes a romantic rival for our biology teacher Phil!

Fun and wholesome high school comedy whose biggest selling point is that it stars Eve Arden, who I really enjoyed seeing in a starring role. Eve Arden is so often relegated to the best friend or sidekick role...but no one delivers a snappy-line like she does (especially in films such as Mildred Pierce). Both a fun vintage film and a family friendly one that has me recommending it to both families and fans of Eve Arden!

fine

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 27 August 2021]

Single gal Connie Brooks (Eve Arden) is the new English teacher at Madison High School. Phillip Boynton (Robert Rockwell) is the handsome biology teacher. Osgood Conklin is the by-the-book principal. Lawrence Nolan (Don Porter) is a rich newspaper owner and the father of one of the students.

Our Miss Brooks started as a radio show (1948-1957) and became a success in the early TV medium (1952-56). I'm not familiar with either. The oddity here is that the movie restarts the story after four years on TV. The students look that much older and ill-fitting. I assume the idea is that most of the public have yet to get a TV. So there's no reason to do a continuation movie since most people haven't seen the show to start. I get that idea but maybe get new younger kids.

In TV terminology, this is an extended pilot episode. I can see the appeal of this franchise. This is a simple single gal sitcom in a school. She's a fine strong character. There's a functional love triangle. Aging her up makes her a better spinster. It works somewhat as a movie. It's all fine if unspectacular.

Feature follow up to the entertaining TV series.

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 2 March 2008]

When I requested "Our Miss Brooks" through the local library system, I thought I'd be getting a couple episodes of the TV series, which is actually what I wanted to see. I didn't know about the follow up feature film, and watching it, I was a bit mystified as to why they started things up from scratch with all of the characters just getting to know each other, as Miss Brooks (Eve Arden) makes her first appearance at Madison High School. I thought about that for a while, and it came to me that the same was done for other fictional TV characters like Superman, where the origin story is given special treatment in a feature film. Still, it caught me off guard not being prepared, leading to more than a handful of huh? moments.

Yet the characters were all there, but with all of the students now four years older since the series started, it looked a bit more like a college campus than a high school setting. I couldn't help thinking how much Eve Arden resembled Lucille Ball, and how little Richard Crenna's Walter Denton resembled Colonel Trautman from the 'Rambo' series of the 1980's. Gale Gordon of course never seems to change, no matter what he's doing, from Miss Brooks right on up to "The Lucy Show". Say, I wonder if he ever got mixed up?

The character of Miss Constance Brooks is certainly dated; I particularly felt like cringing every time she got into one of those google-ey eyed modes staring at Mr. Boynton (Robert Rockwell). That certainly wouldn't fly today, even if she brought forward the same independent character traits as a responsible teacher that she did here. The Nolan father/son sub-plot was a good one to bring that out, even if part of the reason for it was to introduce another possible romantic entanglement.

Anyway, with that all said and done, I still want to get hold of some of the TV episodes to see Connie help Walter out of his endless series of scrapes, especially the ones involving Principal Conklin. If memory serves me, those provided some funny and entertaining moments during TV's Golden Age, sadly almost forgotten a half century later.

****

[edwagreen · 10/10 · 20 May 2017]

Excellent way to wind up the show which had been such a successful television series.

This movie also gave Bob Rockwell to show added dimension to his character of Mr. Boynton.

Unfortunately, Richard Crenna's Walter Denton was given little to do here.

Don Porter was added to the movie to play a wealthy father of a rebellious teenager who has been neglected by the former. Naturally, you know that despite the contentious note that he wrote to Miss Brooks, she shall eventually become a love interest and have Boynton actually have to fight for his girl.

The confusion where Miss Brookls thinks that she will become a June bride is cleverly hatched.

The ending is so poignant as you know where the relationship is going and you'd probably wish the film would never end.

A mildly amusing spinoff from radio and TV series

[Dick-42 · 6/10 · 17 February 1999]

Is this disappointing because the passage of time has given the TV (1952-56), and especially the radio (1940s) series a nostalgic glow they don't deserve? I don't know, but the movie is only mildly amusing in spots -- much of it is a bore -- while I recall the radio series with pleasure.

The nature of the plot line is quite different from both of the broadcast series, partly because the movie feels it needs to wrap up a story cleanly. In the series -- sort of like a movie serial -- the characters are left largely as we found them at the start of an episode -- Miss Brooks panting for the indifferent Mr. Boynton, Osgood Conklin fuming about his daughter's interest in the bumbling Walter Denton, who in turn is contemplating his next (mis)adventure. Denton is the one who's most changed in the movie. He was the main character in the radio shows, getting into one scrape after another (ala Andy Hardy), with Miss Brooks usually intervening in some way to bail him out. I don't recall the beginning of the radio series, but it seems that Connie Brooks had been at the school forever -- as had Denton, for that matter -- not a new arrival as in the movie. This is an interesting period piece, but not really good entertainment.

The Aspiring Mrs. Boynton

[JohnSeal · 5/10 · 18 December 2010]

I've had a crush on Eve Arden since forever. There was something incredibly cool about her sharp diction and haughty, well-heeled demeanor that sent this cat into wayoutsville, man. Never a big star, Arden popped up in supporting roles in lots of comedies and even some dramas (she's great in Mildred Pierce) but is best remembered for her 130-episode stint on the popular CBS television series Our Miss Brooks in the early 1950s. The series ended in 1956 but immediately made the transition to the big screen in this independently produced feature, which (in contemporary Tinseltown-speak) tried to "reboot the franchise" by depicting Miss Brooks during her first days at Madison High. If you can overlook that slightly bizarre development, there's plenty here to enjoy in addition to The Lady Eve, including series regular Gale Gordon as Principal Conklin, Jane Morgan as landlady Mrs. Davis, and Richard Crenna and Nick Adams as students.

Delightful 50's Rom Com

[v27678 · 10/10 · 29 September 2021]

Eve Arden had a unique combination of class and comedy, and this witty and fun movie is a perfect showcase of her talent. The supporting cast are excellent as well.

Eve Arden plays a wisecracking high school teacher, 30 year-old Richard Crenna is one of her students

[jacobs-greenwood · 5/10 · 9 July 2017]

If you thought that movies made from beloved TV series was something new, you haven't done your research. Our Miss Brooks (which actually began as a radio program in 1948!) was such a television show from 1952-1956, and this movie features many of the same actor- characters including Eve Arden in the title role. Others include a pre-'Lucy' Gale Gordon as the school's ex-military principal, Robert Rockwell as a fellow teacher, Jane Morgan as Brooks's landlord, Crenna (who affects the voice of a teenage boy going through puberty), Joseph Kearns as Mr. Stone, Marjorie Bennett (uncredited) as Rockwell's mother, and a handful of others in supporting roles. Two others not from the TV series that play key roles in the movie are Don Porter, as a wealthy businessman, and Nick Adams as his neglected son who's also one of Brooks's students.

The story, dialogue and action are standard B-movie comedy; in fact, it's the only 'big screen' feature from director Al Lewis, who'd directed 103 of the 130 Our Miss Brooks TV episodes. Lewis, who was a writer on nearly hundred of those episodes, co-wrote this movie's screenplay with Joseph Quillan, who was involved in writing all of the television episodes.

Constance 'Connie' Brooks (Arden) is a new English teacher at Madison High School, where she meets a new biology teacher Phillip 'Phil' Boynton (Rockwell). Middle-aged Brooks, determined not to be a spinster, endures a very long "going steady" relationship with Boynton during which nothing happens - they go to the zoo together - until she starts tutoring Gary (Adams), the son of too busy rich newspaper publisher and TV station owner Lawrence Nolan (Porter).

Nolan had 'summoned' Brooks to explain why his smart son was failing her class and (after perhaps the best repartee in the movie - a witty, wisecracking sparring between the two) Brooks agrees to tutor Gary while refusing to accept monetary compensation. Nolan begins to take more of an interest in his son, and then Miss Brooks, who doesn't completely deflect the attention even though her can't-keep- a- secret landlord, Mrs. Margaret Davis (Morgan), had tipped that Boynton was close to popping the question, but needed a higher paying position to be able to do so.

There's an integral side story that figures in this triangle involving the unloved by-the-book Principal Conklin (Gordon), and his decision to run for office against the even more overbearing school board chair Mr. Stone (Kearns). Conklin hints to Brooks that Boynton could be promoted to back-fill his position in order get her to be his campaign manager. She in turn gets assistance from the eager-to-please-her Nolan, who has his son write fictional fluff pieces to support Conklin's candidacy.

The final wrench-in-the-works involves a misunderstanding regarding the purchase of a white-picket fenced house around the corner from Mrs. Davis that Brooks had been eyeing for her future, and Boynton's interest in it.

Generally Underrated

[dougdoepke · 12 July 2017]

The movie manages to blend more serious points with a light-hearted humor worthy of the OMB franchise. As expected, Brooks (Arden) gets a lot of good snappy lines. In fact, the script individualizes each of the characters in distinctive fashion, from bumbling Boyton to squeaky Denton to smug Conklin. Of course, Brooks being a respected English teacher can't be spoofed, but as a single middle-age woman, she gets her share.

But please, oh please, don't let Denton squeak out another tune. He may have ruined music forever. And get a load of June Blair as the knock-out blonde who parades through the newspaper office like a candy doll in a boy's gym class. There's also a number of nice touches, like Brooks nudging open a dreamy bridal door, or the stuffy Conklin stepping onto a broken ladder and into the sea, or the helpful location shots of mid-50's suburbia.

The plot has several threads—untangling Brooks' romantic life, reforming a delinquent Gary Nolan (Nick Adams), getting Conklin elected to School Board, among others. Note the one straight role is Adams' wayward teen. This was a time when juvenile delinquency was a major social concern. So the script goes to some length showing how the boy is reformed by honest work.

Overall, the canny script manages to interweave the many threads in entertaining fashion. Nonetheless, it's the impeccable Arden who carries the show with her compelling presence. All in all, I think it's a rather underrated 90-minutes of smoothly done chuckles, and a fitting final curtain for the memorable OMB.

(In passing-- I suspect one reason the movie has been generally overlooked is because of the familiarity of the format, namely the long-running TV and radio versions, that eclipsed the overall quality of this production.)

Quite enjoyable.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 16 September 2021]

Although I've never scene a single episode of the TV series "Our Miss Brooks", this movie version is quite enjoyable and stands alone quite well.

The story begins with Miss Brooks (Eve Arden) arriving at a new school where she'll be teaching English. I gathered it's the same school where she taught for the first seasons of the show. Soon after arriving, she and the Biology teacher, Mr. Boynton, begin dating. But their relationship is passionless and he gives her little reason to hope that he'll take the relationship to the next level. But of course, this changes when another man suddenly shows interest in her. While there's MUCH more to the story, I'll leave you to see what transpires.

The characters are enjoyable despite being based on sit-com characters. The writing also seems quite nice. Overall, a most enjoyable film...one that leaves me wanting to see more.

By the way, a funny and ironic scene occurs early in the film. The martinet principal (Gale Gordon) is being chewed out by a school board member (Joseph Kearns). What makes this a special scene is that BOTH men starred on "Dennis the Menace"...with Gordon taking over the role following Kearns' death.

Teaching English

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 1 May 2020]

This feature was Eve Arden's farewell to the character she created on radio and then television. Back in the day folks in Hollywood didn't care too much about continuity. If they had they would have not had Eve Arden as a fresh arrival and just continued on with the story line as it was when the TV show ended.

Anyway Arden's arrived and ready to begin teaching at James Madison High School. And this woman is looking fir husband and hopes she hasn't waited too long or been to selective. As in the TV show Arden ses her sights on Robert Rockwell the biology teacher.

Gale Gordon got his first attention as Mr. Conklin the principal who boasts he runs the school like an army base. H's wanting to get into politics and is running for the new position of superintendent of education. He inveigles Arden to be his campaign manager.

Arden has yet another duty. She's making extra money tutoring Nick Adams the son of Don Porter the local media mogul who runs the town newspaper and local TV station. Porter takes a romantic interest in Arden as well.

Our Miss Brooks is certainly dated, its roots are firmly in the 50s. But it's pleasant viewing and for Eve Arden fans a must.

Just listen to the radio shows...

[pdxamuse · 4/10 · 22 August 2019]

What caught my ear with the radio shows was the laugh out loud humour and the incredible cheekiness/cleverness of Miss Brooks. The situations were off the wall and kept your attention.

I was thoroughly dismayed by the movie! I haven't seen the TV show, so I don't know how bad or good it was, but I can tell you the movie was a waste of my time! The story is terribly boring, the "serious" parts are unnecessary, the real laughs are few and far between. And there isn't enough Walter Denton!

Since Al Lewis is credited for the writing and directing of both the radio shows and the movie, I can only suspect that he didn't bring his gag writers along for the screenplay or the movie was heavily reworked by the studio.

This had the potential of being really great...

Unique

[ivan-22 · 11 April 2000]

I saw "Our Miss Brooks" with the incomparable Eve Arden. This comedy tickles your innermost being. I am a fanatical devotee of the TV series, and this movie disappoints me not. He who hasn't watched it or TV series has missed the finest morsels human wit has to offer. I never laughed, but my whole body chuckled. (From my diary).

another curiosity

[loyaltubist · 4/10 · 28 May 2006]

I, too, was a fan of the radio and TV series (via recordings--I'm was born after the movie was made). The problem with this movie, the TV series, and the later episodes of the radio series was that the cast was getting too old. The story is not so disappointing. And if they used another group of actors to be the same characters, that would be disappointing.

Many years later, when the cast of the Saturday morning TV series, Saved By the Bell, became too old looking to be high school students, they graduated them and put in different students.

Maybe it's like the proverbial soap opera storyline: An egg takes two days to fry. A pregnancy lasts two weeks. A baby remains a baby for five years. And Helen Trent still hasn't found a husband.

You can't go home again

[lrrmcknz · 4/10 · 2 September 2023]

I just watched this for the first time. I LOVE the OMB TV series and still watch it most weeknights on Catchy, but found the film rather disappointing for several reasons. Compressing the Connie-Boynton relationship into 84 min. Greatly dilutes the humor of her endless pursuit and his odd shyness, when he goes from frog boy to raging bull in an hour. It's like turning War and Peace into a 60 sec. Spot. Having her go gaga over him shirtless seems off. It's not that the show didn't suggest she found him physically attractive, but TV Connie didn't show it that openly.

The Walter, Harriet, & Stretch characters didn't have much to do and seemed to be there more as a nod to series fans, without really incorporating them into the story. Conklin seemed too tame compared to Gale Gordon's over the top raving that was a high point of the series. The lack of the hilarious battles between he and Connie was a negative for me. To me, there weren't that many funny moments, and even things like the slapstick falling in the water would have been done better on the show, IMO.

Overall, I felt that the subplot (?) with the Nolans was a big part of the film not being funny. Connie's crusade to get the kid to work, the absentee father, etc. Were more serious, "To Sir With Love" than comedy - fine in themselves, but not classic OMB material. This was more soap or dramedy than the comedy I expected. It picked up at the end, with the confusion over the house, which was vintage OMB.

I think I might have enjoyed the film more if I'd never seen the TV show. As it stands, I'd have much preferred three new episodes of the original, even the odd and, IMO, not as good final season. I'm apparently the odd one out, but I'm glad that most folks were able to enjoy it more than me.

Strange

[Ripshin · 8 September 2002]

This film was made immediately upon the completion of the popular four-year run of the TV series, which itself followed a successful radio show, YET for some reason, the filmmakers chose to treat the storyline as if they hadn't existed. It would have made sense had the film been made twenty years later, as in "The Brady Bunch," "Mission Impossible," "Charlie's Angels'" etc. Starting from scratch seems to be backpeddling, but I guess it didn't bother folks in 1956.