Our Miss Brooks is an American situation comedy starring Eve Arden as a sardonic high school English teacher. It began as a radio show broadcast on CBS from 1948 to 1957. When the show was adapted to television (1952–56), it became one of the medium's earliest hits. In 1956, the sitcom was adapted for big screen in the film of the same name.
Our Miss Brooks was a hit on radio from the outset; within eight months of its launch as a regular series, the show landed several honors, including four for Eve Arden, who won polls in four individual publications of the time. Arden had actually been the third choice to play the title role. Harry Ackerman, at the time CBS's West Coast director of programming, wanted Shirley Booth for the part, but as he told historian Gerald Nachman many years later, he realized Booth was too focused on the underpaid downside of public school teaching at the time to have fun with the role.
Lucille Ball was believed to be the next choice, but she was already committed to My Favorite Husband and didn't audition. Then CBS chairman Bill Paley, who was friendly with Arden, persuaded her to audition for the part. With a slightly rewritten audition script--Osgood Conklin, for example, was originally written as a school board president but was now written as the incoming new Madison principal--Arden agreed to give the newly-revamped show a try.
Produced by Larry Berns and written by director Al Lewis, Our Miss Brooks premiered on CBS July 19, 1948. According to radio critic John Crosby, her lines were very "feline" in dialogue scenes with principal Conklin and would-be boyfriend Boynton, with sharp, witty comebacks. The interplay between the cast--blustery Conklin, nebbishy Denton, accommodating Harriet, absentminded Mrs. Davis, clueless Boynton, scheming Miss Enright--also received positive reviews.
Arden won a radio listeners' poll by Radio Mirror magazine as the top ranking comedienne of 1948-49, receiving her award at the end of an Our Miss Brooks broadcast that March. "I'm certainly going to try in the coming months to merit the honor you've bestowed upon me, because I understand that if I win this two years in a row, I get to keep Mr. Boynton," she joked. But she was also a hit with the critics; a winter 1949 poll of newspaper and magazine radio editors taken by Motion Picture Daily named her the year's best radio comedienne.
For its entire radio life, the show was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, promoting Palmolive soap, Lustre Creme shampoo and Toni hair care products. The radio series continued until 1957, a year after its television life ended.
American Tragedy
Original Broadcast Date: 1946.07.02
Shirley Booth Audition
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.04.09
Mothers Day
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.05.08
Eve Arden Audition
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.06.23
First Day
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.07.19
Weekend At Crystal Lake
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.09.19
Putting The Touch On Miss Brooks
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.10.24
Surprise Party
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.10.24
Going To The Clayton High Football Game
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.10.31
The Workhorse
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.11.07
Babysitting For Three
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.11.14
Model School Teacher
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.11.21
Sunnydale Finishing School
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.11.28
Weighing Machine
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.12.05
Magic Christmas Tree
Original Broadcast Date: 1948.12.19
Old Clothes For Party
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.01.02
Lack Of Coal At Madison High
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.01.09
Student Government
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.01.16
New English Department
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.01.23
Student Banking
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.01.30
Missing Electric Heater
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.02.06
Stock Room
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.02.06
Stretch The Basketball Star
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.02.13
The Frog
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.02.20
Stretch Has A Problem
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.02.27
The Hair Do
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.03.06
Cafeteria Boycott
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.03.13
Poetry Mix Up
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.03.20
Cay City English Teacher
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.03.27
April Fools
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.04.03
Conklins Wake Up Plan
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.04.10
Easter Outfit
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.04.17
Dress Code Protest
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.04.24
The Grudge Match
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.01
Boyntons Parents
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.08
Friday The 13th
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.15
Yearbook Photo Mixup
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.15
Peanuts The Great Dane
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.22
Arguments Arguments
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.05.29
Key To The School
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.06.05
Wishing Well Dance
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.06.12
Taxidermists
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.06.19
July 4th Trip To Eagle Springs
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.03
Mr Conklins Blood Pressure
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.03
Telegram For Mrs Davis
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.10
Carelessness Code
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.17
Mrs Davis Cookies
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.24
Pensacola Popovers
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.24
Old Job In Connecticut
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.07.31
Heat Wave
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.08.07
The English Test
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.08.14
Weekend At Crystal Lake
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.08.21
Head Of The Board
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.11
The School Board
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.11
Faculty Cheer Leader
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.18
The Sweater
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.18
Mr Conklin Causes A Fight
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.25
Taking The Rap For Mr Boynton
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.09.25
Rival Football
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.02
Stretch To Transfer
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.02
Mr Leblanche Needs 50 Dollars
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.09
The French Teacher
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.09
School Safety
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.16
School Safety Advisor
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.16
Exchanging Gifts
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.23
Halloween Party
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.10.30
Elephant Mascot
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.11.13
Party Line Head Of English Department
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.11.20
Thanksgiving Weekend
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.11.27
Weighing Machine
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.12.04
Game At Clay City
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.12.11
Department Store Contest
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.12.18
Letter To Santa
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.12.18
Magic Christmas Tree
Original Broadcast Date: 1949.12.25
Babysitting On New Years Eve
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.01
Back To School After New Years
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.08
Board Of Education Day
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.08
Cure That Habit Inc
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.15
Professorship At State U
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.22
Walters Radio
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.22
School On Saturday
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.01.29
Miss Enrights Dinner
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.02.05
Valentines Day Date
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.02.19
Stretch Is In Love
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.02.26
Letter From Education Board
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.03.05
The Burglar
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.03.12
The Auction
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.03.19
Baseball Team Uniforms
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.03.26
Free Tv From Sherrys
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.04.02
Easter Egg Dye
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.04.09
The Tape Recorder
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.04.23
School Band
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.04.30
Deacon Jones Square Dance Troupe
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.05.05
Boyntons Barbecue
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.05.07
Mr Boyntons Parents
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.05.14
Rare Black Orchid
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.05.21
Traffic Court
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.05.28
Rumors
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.09.10
Elopement With Walter
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.09.17
Bronco Dismissed
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.09.24
Diagnosis Measles
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.10.01
Walters Wonderful Radio
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.10.08
The Bookie
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.10.15
Stretch In Love Again
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.10.22
The Dancer
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.10.29
Indian Burial Ground
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.11.05
Teachers Convention
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.11.12
Thanksgiving Program
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.11.19
Woman Driver
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.11.26
Music Festival
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.12.03
Suit For Charity
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.12.17
Magic Christmas Tree
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.12.24
Returning Xmas Presents
Original Broadcast Date: 1950.12.31
Puppy Love And Mr Barlow
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.02.04
Business Course
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.02.11
Going Skiing
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.02.25
Skis In The Classroom
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.02.25
The French Teacher
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.03.04
Tex Barton Basketball Star
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.03.11
Miss Enrights Birthday Party
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.03.18
Mr Boyntons Lots
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.03.25
Another Day Another Dress
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.04.01
New School Tv Set
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.04.22
Bargain Hats For Mothers Day
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.05.13
The English Test
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.05.27
The First Aid Course
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.06.03
Connie Tries To Forget Boynton
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.11.04
Connie Tries To Forget Mr Boynton
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.11.04
Connie Wins A Mans Suit
Original Broadcast Date: 1951.11.25
New School Bus
Original Broadcast Date: 1952.01.27
Minervas Kittens
Original Broadcast Date: 1952.03.09
Cosmopolitan Magazine
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.05.31
Poison Ivy
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.10.04
Plaque For Mr Conklin
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.10.11
Mr Boyntons Barbecue
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.10.18
Mr Conklins Carpool
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.11.01
Convict Has Threatened To Kill Mr Conklin
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.11.08
Occupied Moving Van
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.11.15
The Butcher
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.11.22
Former Student Visits
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.11.29
Conklin The Bachelor
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.12.13
Christmas Gift Mixup
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.12.20
Miss Brooks Writes About A Hobo
Original Broadcast Date: 1953.12.27
Hobbies
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.01.10
Selling The House Next Door
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.01.17
Foreign Teachers
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.01.24
Foreign Teachers
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.02.07
Cow In The Closet
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.04.24
Mr Lathrop Returns To School
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.09.26
Conklin Threatens To Abolish Football
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.10.03
Bartering With Chief Thundercloud
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.10.10
Photo Feud
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.10.17
Stretch Is In Love Again
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.10.24
The Switchboard Operator
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.11.07
Movies At School
Original Broadcast Date: 1954.11.14
Male Superiority
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.01.16
Pen Pal Project
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.01.23
Mr Travis 3 Acre Lot
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.01.30
Project X
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.03.06
The School Boards Psychologist
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.03.13
Mr Boyntons Moustache
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.03.27
American Tragedy
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.04.03
Tears For Mister Boynton
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.04.10
Writing Magazines Articles With Aliases
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.04.17
Cow In The Closet
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.04.24
Take Him Or Leave Him
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.04.24
Miss Brooks Takes Over Spring Garden
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.05.01
The Orphan Twins
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.05.08
Stretch Is Accused Of Professionalism
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.05.22
Spring Garden
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.05.29
Taxi Fare
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.06.19
Marriage By Proxy
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.06.26
Deacon Jones
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.07.03
Bye Bye Boynton
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.07.10
Planning A Trip To Europe
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.07.17
Non Fraternization Policy
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.07.24
Marriage Madness
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.07.31
Cat Burglars
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.08.07
Sneaky Peekers
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.08.14
Teachers Convention
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.08.21
Couch Potato
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.08.28
Summer Vacation
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.09.04
Rumors
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.09.11
House Trailer
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.09.18
Friendship
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.10.09
French Sadie Hawkins Day
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.10.30
Outpost Road Incomplete
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.11.13
Saving The School Newspaper
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.12.04
Christmas Clothing Drive
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.12.18
Magic Christmas Tree
Original Broadcast Date: 1955.12.25
Mr Conklin Loses His Hearing
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.01.01
School On Saturday
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.01.08
The Auction
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.02.05
Mr Conklins Statue
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.02.12
Mash Notes To Harriet
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.03.18
New Girl In Town
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.05.06
The Dinner Party
Original Broadcast Date: 1956.06.03
Head Of The English Department
Original Broadcast Date: 1957.01.13
Stretch Has A Problem
Original Broadcast Date: 1957.02.24
Boynton The Gigolo
Original Broadcast Date: 19xx.xx.xx
Four Fiancees
Original Broadcast Date: 19xx.xx.xx