OUR MISS BROOKS Boynton Blues

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until Miss Enright puts the brakes on Connie’s plans. Robert Rockwell (right) as Mr. Boynton. With Mary Jane Croft OUR MISS BROOKS

CD 10B: “Oo-Oo-Me-Me-Tocoludi-Gucci-Mo O-Moo” - September 18, 1955 Boynton Blues Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis are attempting to sell a trailer that they used during their summer Program Guide by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. vacation. Mr. Conklin is in need of such a camper for a fishing weekend, but our favorite Radio historian John Dunning, in his book Tune in Yesterday, referred to Our Miss Brooks as “one schoolteacher knows that it is grammatically of the last bright lights of radio situation comedy.” Some of the comedy programs of yesteryear incorrect to use the words “Conklin” and “buy” haven’t aged well, but the half-hour series that made character actress Eve Arden a household name in the same sentence. Robert Rockwell as Mr. as the universally beloved schoolteacher of the airwaves is a notable exception. Even some sixty Boynton. With Joel Samuels. years after its debut on July 19, 1948, Our Miss Brooks continues to be a favorite with fans, due largely in part to its strong characterizations and first-rate scripting. Robert Rockwell and Eve Arden At the center of the series was actress Arden, whose stock-in-trade was playing wise-cracking secretaries or sidekicks in movies like Stage Door and Mildred Pierce (a film for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress). Arden applied her tart- tongued persona to the character of Constance Brooks, though she did tone down some of the more hard-boiled qualities associated with many of her movie roles. In Miss Brooks, she crafted a character that audiences could admire, respect and root for: a dedicated teacher of English at the fictional Madison High School.

The odd thing is that Arden wasn’t particularly www.RadioSpirits.com interested in taking part in the Brooks series. In PO Box 1315, Little Falls, NJ 07424 fact, she only acquiesced after CBS chairman William S. Paley agreed that the show could Audio programs release under license from series rights holders. be transcribed (recorded) before she left for a © 2012 Al Lewis. All rights reserved. For home use only. summer vacation in 1948. To her surprise, she received a phone call from CBS executive Frank Program Guide © 2012 Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. and RSPT LLC. All Rights Reserved. Stanton while enjoying some R&R at a friend’s farm. He informed her that Our Miss Brooks was 45292 Eve Arden the #1 hit of the summer season. The scripts written by Al Lewis and Joe Quillan introduced listeners to Connie Brooks, a modern- CD 7A: “Professorship At State U” - January 22, 1950 day working gal who rented a room from an absentminded landlady named Margaret Davis (played Mr. Boynton, being interviewed for a position at nearby State University, tells the dean a teensy by Jane Morgan). Her career as a schoolteacher took up most of her daily routine but, as a single white lie…that he lives with a “Mrs. Boynton.” When his interviewer wants to meet Mrs. B., woman, she actively pursued romance in the form of one of her fellow educators, biology teacher Connie volunteers to play the part…unaware that her paramour is referring to his mother, not his Philip Boynton (Jeff Chandler). Boynton, a rugged, handsome specimen, would seem to be an ideal wife! With Frank Nelson. mate for Miss Brooks…were it not for the fact that he seemed completely oblivious to her amorous advances. Boynton rarely looked beyond the world of his biology lab, stocked with white mice, CD 7B: “Miss Enright’s Dinner” - February 5, 1950 guinea pigs and a frog who answered to “McDougall.” Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks did “date” on Miss Brooks is being kept occupied nights doing extra assignments for Mr. Conklin, allowing her many occasions…though their relationship rarely went beyond the formalities of addressing one rival Miss Enright to spend time preparing home-cooked meals for Mr. Boynton. Connie decides another as “Miss Brooks” and “Mr. Boynton.” Miss Brooks even had a rival for Boynton’s attention to fight fire with fire by whipping up Boynton’s favorite meal, oblivious to the fact that Walter has in the form of another English instructor named Daisy Enright (Mary Jane Croft). doctored the recipe! With Mary Jane Croft.

The other man in Connie Brooks’ life was the autocratic principal, Osgood Conklin. Conklin was CD 8A: “Valentine’s Day Date” - February 19, 1950 just as dedicated to educating students as Miss Brooks; the two just approached the practice from It’s Valentine’s Day, and Miss Brooks is determined to go out for a fancy dinner with Mr. Boynton different viewpoints. However, his blustery, pompous disposition often made him the target of (in lieu of their usual visits to the city zoo). Her attempts to raise the necessary funds hit a snag, but student pranks…and the frequently disastrous machinations of Miss Brooks, who was prone to rescue comes in the form of restaurant busboy Stretch Snodgrass. With Leonard Smith. visiting mayhem upon Conklin in the form of a dropped typewriter to the foot, spilled ink on a new suit, or an accidental locking in the school cafeteria’s meat freezer. CD 8B: “Boynton’s Barbecue” - May 7, 1950 Mr. Boynton formally invites Miss Brooks to a barbecue…in Miss Brooks’ backyard. Connie is The part of Osgood Conklin was originated by actor Joe Forte, but the minds behind Our Miss Brooks hoping that the two of them will get an opportunity to be alone, but a dinner mishap at the Conklin’s were fortunate enough to obtain the services of Gale Gordon (who had asked for a larger salary in brings uninvited guests. With Mary Jane Croft. the hopes that he would be turned down). Gordon had begun his career in radio with such dramatic fare as Flash Gordon (he played the titular hero) CD 9A: “Mr Boynton’s Parents” - May 14, 1950 and The Shadow of Fu Manchu…but had since Miss Brooks learns that Mr. Boynton’s parents will be paying him a visit on Mother’s Day. What become radio’s go-to man for stuffed shirts and she doesn’t know is that the students have voted her “Mother Away from Mother.” With Willard stack blowers on such shows as Fibber McGee Waterman. & Molly, The Great Gildersleeve and The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show. Gordon was a master CD 9B: “Measles Diagnosis” - October 1, 1950 at “slow burn” comedy, and though audiences After babysitting a neighbor’s child, Miss Brooks learns that today remember him as foil to Lucille Ball - he she may have been exposed to measles. In stopping by Mrs. not only appeared on Lucy’s radio show, My Davis’, Mr. Conklin ends up quarantined with her on the day he’s Favorite Husband, but also guest starred or co- supposed to receive an honorarium in the form of a gold watch! starred in all four of Ball’s TV ventures…the With Leonard Smith and Mary Jane Croft. only performer to do so - Our Miss Brooks is, in this writer’s opinion, his best radio showcase. Each week, audiences would wait on the edge CD 10A: “Who’s Going Where” - August 21, 1955 of their seats to hear Gordon’s Conklin blow his Miss Brooks has arranged for Mr. Boynton and herself to top over Connie’s latest shenanigans…and even be Madison High’s representatives at a convention honoring though it sometimes came across as formulaic, it “American Education Week.” She is looking forward to enjoying the camaraderie of their fellow educators…and a little alone time... Gale Gordon with Lucille Ball never failed to reap huge laughs. Eve Arden 2 7 CD 3B: “The Telegram” - July 10, 1949 The Conklin character, afflicted with allergies and high blood pressure, not only had to cope with Mrs. Davis superstitiously refuses to open a telegram, fearing it may be bad news. The superstition Miss Brooks on a weekly basis, but also the boyfriend of his daughter Harriet (Gloria McMillan), soon spreads throughout Miss Brooks’ circle of friends, as Connie futilely tries to find someone a squeaky-voiced teenager named Walter Denton. Walter was played by radio’s resident nerd, who’ll read its contents. With Jerry Hausner, Joseph Kearns, and Peter Leeds. Richard Crenna, who seemed to have a monopoly on all the adolescent geeks on the airwaves at that time. He was Waldo on George Burns & Gracie Allen’s show and Oogie Pringle on A Date CD 4A “Mrs Davis’ Cookies (Pensacola Popovers)” - July 24, 1949 With Judy…not to mention Bronco Thompson, boyfriend-and-later-husband of Marjorie Forrester Mrs. Davis explains to Miss Brooks that men like to be pampered when they take ill. Connie would on Gildersleeve. On Our Miss Brooks, Walter Denton was a likeable, well-meaning kid who just like the chance to pamper Mr. Boynton, but doesn’t hold out much hope that his strong constitution seemed to have a knack for stumbling into situations that were guaranteed to snowball into utter will ever falter. Perhaps a dose of her landlady’s “Pensacola Popovers” will help? chaos. And, he was often a confederate in Connie Brooks’ madcap schemes. By the time Our Miss Brooks left the airwaves in 1957, actor Crenna was twenty-nine years old…and while that placed CD 4B: “Heat Wave” - August 7, 1949 him in good stead among such decrepit delinquents as Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, he broke out of When summer school is affected by sweltering heat conditions, Mr. Conklin has the authority to the juvenile lead mold to play opposite Walter Brennan on the TV sitcom The Real McCoys, and close Madison High for the day…something that is simply not in his nature. Miss Brooks schemes later became a highly respected dramatic actor in television and feature films. with Walter, Harriet, Stretch, and Mr. Boynton to turn Conklin’s office into a sweatbox in order to facilitate the proper course of action. With Leonard Smith. Other recurring characters on the program included Madison High’s resident star athlete and amiable dunce, Fabian “Stretch” Snodgrass (Leonard Smith), school superintendent Edgar T. Stone (Joseph CD 5A: “Conklin Causes a Fight” - September 25, 1949 Kearns, and on some broadcasts Frank Nelson), and French teachers Jacques Monet (Gerald Mohr) Harriet dents the fender on her father’s car, and Walter gallantly steps in to take the rap at the risk and Paul LeBlanche (Maurice Marsac). The role of Martha Conklin, the long-suffering wife of of incurring Mr. Conklin’s wrath. Inspired by Walter’s chivalrous act, Miss Brooks tries to arrange the principal, was played by Virginia Gordon—the real-life wife of Gale Gordon. When Our Miss a similar set of circumstances in her pursuit of Mr. Boynton. With Hal March. Brooks made the transition from radio to TV, however, the part of Mrs. C was played by radio veteran Paula Winslowe…best known as another stoic spouse on radio’s The Life of Riley. CD 5B: “Game at Clay City” - December 11, 1949 Clay City and Madison High are squaring off in the championship “Cereal Bowl,” but a lack of Our Miss Brooks was unique among comedies that later funds may keep Miss Brooks from attending both the big game and the celebration dance afterward. transitioned to television in that practically the entire radio cast Her only chance at scoring a ticket is being picked by Mr. Conklin to be a team chaperone…but she reprised their roles for the video version…with the exception of finds herself competing with rival Daisy Enright for both the ticket and Mr. Boynton’s affections. Jeff Chandler (right), radio’s Mr. Boynton. In the four-year period With Mary Jane Croft. between OMB’s radio and TV debuts, Chandler had become a silver screen success in such films as Broken Arrow, Two Flags West and Red Ball Express. Because of his matinee idol status, he CD 6A: “A Letter to Santa” - December 18, 1949 opted out of the TV series and relinquished the part to actor Robert If Miss Brooks isn’t handing Mr. Conklin an explosive cigar, she’s dumping hot coffee in his Rockwell. To Chandler’s credit, he continued to do the radio show lap. Wait until he plays department store Santa Claus and reads a letter from 7-year-old “Connie until his contract ended…after which Rockwell became the radio Brooks”! With Mary Jane Croft and Hal March. Boynton as well.

CD 6B: “Babysitting on New Year’s Eve” - January 1, 1950 The TV version of Our Miss Brooks was a huge success. As the Mr. Boynton, Harriet and Walter all have big plans for New Year’s Eve…but Connie has been roped first Desilu production to follow in the wake of the popularI Love into babysitting Mr. Conklin’s bratty nephew. At the end of the broadcast, Eve Arden receives “Best Lucy, it garnered high ratings. Eve Arden won an Emmy Award Radio Comedienne of 1949” honors from the editors of Motion Picture Daily and Fame magazines. for Best Female Star of a Regular Series in 1954 for her work With Jeffrey Silver. on the show. But, during its fourth and final season on TV, the bloom was slightly off the rose: the show revamped its format Jeff Chandler 6 3 by razing Madison High (to make room for a Our Miss Brooks freeway) and sending both Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin to a private girls’ school where they Starring Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Jeff Chandler, Richard Crenna, continued to match wits weekly. The audience Jane Morgan, and Gloria McMillan. deserted the TV show in droves, and not even the return of Mr. Boynton by mid-season could Bob Lemond and Verne Smith announce for Colgate-Palmolive, save OMB’s televised fortunes. So, the series with Hy Averback for Anacin-BiSiDol. said its goodbyes in 1956. Music by Wilbur Hatch. It is worth noting that the cancellation of the TV version of Brooks coincided with the CD 1A: “The Model School Teacher” - November 21, 1948 release of a feature film based on the series in Miss Brooks has been chosen by Snap Magazine as the “Model American School Teacher.” To her 1956. Although the movie featured the familiar dismay, she must compete with a catty female reporter for Mr. Boynton’s attention. With Mary Jane cast, and a screenplay by Quillan and Lewis, it Croft and Jack Kruschen. managed to capture the flavor of the show only in a few sequences. CD 1B: “Stretch the Basketball Star” - February 13, 1949 Madison High’s star basketball player, Stretch Snodgrass, won’t be able to play in the big game As for the radio series, it continued to operate against Clay City unless he passes an English exam. Connie is reluctant to participate in a scheme in an alternate universe from its television to get him transferred into her class, but changes her mind when she learns that Mr. Boynton is counterpart. It was a universe in which Madison coaching the team. With Leonard Smith and Frank Nelson. High had managed to avoid the bulldozer. Our Miss Brooks didn’t ring down its radio curtain CD 2A: “Walter vs Stretch Grudge Match” - May 1, 1949 until June 30, 1957. Although its star, Eve Stretch Snodgrass and Walter Denton are the best of friends and thick as thieves. Their friendship Arden, continued to enjoy success on stage, goes south, however, when Walter learns that Stretch took Harriet Conklin to the movies…and he screen and television, she was, for all intents and insists on fighting a duel for her honor! With Leonard Smith. purposes, immortalized as the endearing heroine “who teaches English at Madison High School.” CD 2B: “Peanuts, the Great Dane” - May 22, 1949 (Arden was often asked to speak at PTA meetings After lecturing Mrs. Davis about being a pushover, Miss Brooks finds across the country during her tenure as the comic herself agreeing to look after a neighbor’s dog. The woman thinks he’s schoolmarm, and even received a number of job “the cutest little thing you ever saw”…a phrase one generally doesn’t use Movie poster for 1956’s Our Miss Brooks offers in the process.) to describe a Great Dane. With Leonard Smith, Mary Jane Croft, and Pinto Colvig (as “Peanuts”). When the movie version of Grease was released in 1978, I remember laughing out loud in the movie theater at the sight of Arden playing the role of the school principal (a part she also essayed CD 3A: “Arguments, Arguments!” - May 29, 1949 in Grease 2). Seeing “Connie Brooks” get her long overdue promotion made me grin from ear- Walter’s on Cloud Nine after repairing a lover’s tiff with Harriet…a to-ear, because I could just imagine the stack-blowing response from her longtime nemesis, Mr. situation that inspires Miss Brooks to start a quarrel with Mr. Boynton in Conklin. the hopes of strengthening their relationship. This sets off a chain reaction of arguments throughout Madison High, including a fight between Mr. and Mrs. Conklin! Richard Crenna 4 5 by razing Madison High (to make room for a Our Miss Brooks freeway) and sending both Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin to a private girls’ school where they Starring Eve Arden, Gale Gordon, Jeff Chandler, Richard Crenna, continued to match wits weekly. The audience Jane Morgan, and Gloria McMillan. deserted the TV show in droves, and not even the return of Mr. Boynton by mid-season could Bob Lemond and Verne Smith announce for Colgate-Palmolive, save OMB’s televised fortunes. So, the series with Hy Averback for Anacin-BiSiDol. said its goodbyes in 1956. Music by Wilbur Hatch. It is worth noting that the cancellation of the TV version of Brooks coincided with the CD 1A: “The Model School Teacher” - November 21, 1948 release of a feature film based on the series in Miss Brooks has been chosen by Snap Magazine as the “Model American School Teacher.” To her 1956. Although the movie featured the familiar dismay, she must compete with a catty female reporter for Mr. Boynton’s attention. With Mary Jane cast, and a screenplay by Quillan and Lewis, it Croft and Jack Kruschen. managed to capture the flavor of the show only in a few sequences. CD 1B: “Stretch the Basketball Star” - February 13, 1949 Madison High’s star basketball player, Stretch Snodgrass, won’t be able to play in the big game As for the radio series, it continued to operate against Clay City unless he passes an English exam. Connie is reluctant to participate in a scheme in an alternate universe from its television to get him transferred into her class, but changes her mind when she learns that Mr. Boynton is counterpart. It was a universe in which Madison coaching the team. With Leonard Smith and Frank Nelson. High had managed to avoid the bulldozer. Our Miss Brooks didn’t ring down its radio curtain CD 2A: “Walter vs Stretch Grudge Match” - May 1, 1949 until June 30, 1957. Although its star, Eve Stretch Snodgrass and Walter Denton are the best of friends and thick as thieves. Their friendship Arden, continued to enjoy success on stage, goes south, however, when Walter learns that Stretch took Harriet Conklin to the movies…and he screen and television, she was, for all intents and insists on fighting a duel for her honor! With Leonard Smith. purposes, immortalized as the endearing heroine “who teaches English at Madison High School.” CD 2B: “Peanuts, the Great Dane” - May 22, 1949 (Arden was often asked to speak at PTA meetings After lecturing Mrs. Davis about being a pushover, Miss Brooks finds across the country during her tenure as the comic herself agreeing to look after a neighbor’s dog. The woman thinks he’s schoolmarm, and even received a number of job “the cutest little thing you ever saw”…a phrase one generally doesn’t use Movie poster for 1956’s Our Miss Brooks offers in the process.) to describe a Great Dane. With Leonard Smith, Mary Jane Croft, and Pinto Colvig (as “Peanuts”). When the movie version of Grease was released in 1978, I remember laughing out loud in the movie theater at the sight of Arden playing the role of the school principal (a part she also essayed CD 3A: “Arguments, Arguments!” - May 29, 1949 in Grease 2). Seeing “Connie Brooks” get her long overdue promotion made me grin from ear- Walter’s on Cloud Nine after repairing a lover’s tiff with Harriet…a to-ear, because I could just imagine the stack-blowing response from her longtime nemesis, Mr. situation that inspires Miss Brooks to start a quarrel with Mr. Boynton in Conklin. the hopes of strengthening their relationship. This sets off a chain reaction of arguments throughout Madison High, including a fight between Mr. and Mrs. Conklin! Richard Crenna 4 5 CD 3B: “The Telegram” - July 10, 1949 The Conklin character, afflicted with allergies and high blood pressure, not only had to cope with Mrs. Davis superstitiously refuses to open a telegram, fearing it may be bad news. The superstition Miss Brooks on a weekly basis, but also the boyfriend of his daughter Harriet (Gloria McMillan), soon spreads throughout Miss Brooks’ circle of friends, as Connie futilely tries to find someone a squeaky-voiced teenager named Walter Denton. Walter was played by radio’s resident nerd, who’ll read its contents. With Jerry Hausner, Joseph Kearns, and Peter Leeds. Richard Crenna, who seemed to have a monopoly on all the adolescent geeks on the airwaves at that time. He was Waldo on George Burns & Gracie Allen’s show and Oogie Pringle on A Date CD 4A “Mrs Davis’ Cookies (Pensacola Popovers)” - July 24, 1949 With Judy…not to mention Bronco Thompson, boyfriend-and-later-husband of Marjorie Forrester Mrs. Davis explains to Miss Brooks that men like to be pampered when they take ill. Connie would on Gildersleeve. On Our Miss Brooks, Walter Denton was a likeable, well-meaning kid who just like the chance to pamper Mr. Boynton, but doesn’t hold out much hope that his strong constitution seemed to have a knack for stumbling into situations that were guaranteed to snowball into utter will ever falter. Perhaps a dose of her landlady’s “Pensacola Popovers” will help? chaos. And, he was often a confederate in Connie Brooks’ madcap schemes. By the time Our Miss Brooks left the airwaves in 1957, actor Crenna was twenty-nine years old…and while that placed CD 4B: “Heat Wave” - August 7, 1949 him in good stead among such decrepit delinquents as Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall, he broke out of When summer school is affected by sweltering heat conditions, Mr. Conklin has the authority to the juvenile lead mold to play opposite Walter Brennan on the TV sitcom The Real McCoys, and close Madison High for the day…something that is simply not in his nature. Miss Brooks schemes later became a highly respected dramatic actor in television and feature films. with Walter, Harriet, Stretch, and Mr. Boynton to turn Conklin’s office into a sweatbox in order to facilitate the proper course of action. With Leonard Smith. Other recurring characters on the program included Madison High’s resident star athlete and amiable dunce, Fabian “Stretch” Snodgrass (Leonard Smith), school superintendent Edgar T. Stone (Joseph CD 5A: “Conklin Causes a Fight” - September 25, 1949 Kearns, and on some broadcasts Frank Nelson), and French teachers Jacques Monet (Gerald Mohr) Harriet dents the fender on her father’s car, and Walter gallantly steps in to take the rap at the risk and Paul LeBlanche (Maurice Marsac). The role of Martha Conklin, the long-suffering wife of of incurring Mr. Conklin’s wrath. Inspired by Walter’s chivalrous act, Miss Brooks tries to arrange the principal, was played by Virginia Gordon—the real-life wife of Gale Gordon. When Our Miss a similar set of circumstances in her pursuit of Mr. Boynton. With Hal March. Brooks made the transition from radio to TV, however, the part of Mrs. C was played by radio veteran Paula Winslowe…best known as another stoic spouse on radio’s The Life of Riley. CD 5B: “Game at Clay City” - December 11, 1949 Clay City and Madison High are squaring off in the championship “Cereal Bowl,” but a lack of Our Miss Brooks was unique among comedies that later funds may keep Miss Brooks from attending both the big game and the celebration dance afterward. transitioned to television in that practically the entire radio cast Her only chance at scoring a ticket is being picked by Mr. Conklin to be a team chaperone…but she reprised their roles for the video version…with the exception of finds herself competing with rival Daisy Enright for both the ticket and Mr. Boynton’s affections. Jeff Chandler (right), radio’s Mr. Boynton. In the four-year period With Mary Jane Croft. between OMB’s radio and TV debuts, Chandler had become a silver screen success in such films as Broken Arrow, Two Flags West and Red Ball Express. Because of his matinee idol status, he CD 6A: “A Letter to Santa” - December 18, 1949 opted out of the TV series and relinquished the part to actor Robert If Miss Brooks isn’t handing Mr. Conklin an explosive cigar, she’s dumping hot coffee in his Rockwell. To Chandler’s credit, he continued to do the radio show lap. Wait until he plays department store Santa Claus and reads a letter from 7-year-old “Connie until his contract ended…after which Rockwell became the radio Brooks”! With Mary Jane Croft and Hal March. Boynton as well.