OUR MISS BROOKS

US, 1956, 85 minutes, Colour.
Eve Arden, Richard Crenna, Nick Addams, Gale Gordon, Don Porter.
Directed by Al Lewis.

Our Miss Brooks is a mid 50s screen version of a very popular television series of the period. Filmed in black and white with live audience techniques (especially double takes to the camera after deadpan deliveries), the film is an indication of the style of popular television of the period. It also is a reminder of the styles and values of the time (the period where Marty Fly returned in Back to the Future). The life is conventional, the high school and its problems, politics, neglected children, jocks, a special theme music when the sweater girl walks in, the dream of the white picket fence house and the bride being taken out of circulation after she married. The film is an opportunity to see Eve Arden - though one wishes she had better lines for her famous delivery. Richard Crenna appears as one of the high schoolers - and seems to be imitating Jerry Lewis in his acting style and singing.

1. Entertaining comedy? memories of the past? Television styles and popularity of the 50s?

2. Black and White photography, sitcom television style? The cast? High School situation? teachers and students? Romance?

3. The title and the focus on Miss Brooks, the affection of everyone in the cast?

4. Eve Arden and her screen personality and style? Her arrival in the town? Appointed to teach English? The tour with Stretch - and her double takes about his English? The attraction towards Mr Boynton? The encounter with the military style principal? Classroom techniques? Gary Nolan and his unwillingness to learn, her coaching him? Meeting with his father? Confrontation, the attraction? The interview with Mrs Davis, the cat, getting the house? The dates with Philip at the zoo? Her classes, her being asked by the principal to head his election campaign? The change of heart with the Nolans? Philip and his reserve? Her going to the yacht, Philip's attack? Gary working for his father? Mrs Davis and her cards, confidentiality? The build-up to the election, the principal's withdrawing? Miss Brooks misunderstanding about Mrs Boynton, Mrs Davis getting Philip's mother to stay with her - and the happy ending? The embodiment of the professional woman of the fifties - wanting to be a bride and taken out of circulation?

5. The principal, military style, the clashes with Mr Stone? His devious election campaign? The but of jokes? Getting Mr Nolan to help? His finding out about the salary and his withdrawing?

6. Philip Boynton, biology, attracted to Connie? The outings to the zoo? His formality? Suspicions, Mrs Davis urging him to go to the yacht? The questions about his mother, the buying of the house? Connie's misunderstandings? The happy ending?

7. Larry Nolan, stuffed shirt, wealthy? Alienated from his son? Cary and his attacks on Miss Brooks? The special coaching? Mellowing him, getting him to write articles? Reconciliation with his father? Mellowing Mr. Nolan, the(? yacht, Philip's attack? The reconciliation between father and son? (And the son growing up like his father?)

8. The students, Stretch as the jock, his lack of grammar? Walter and his car, his screeching its magic, the Jerry Lewis style?

9. The picture of high school life in the mid-50s?