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* AdaptationalLocationChange: The radio series, first three seasons of the concurrent television series and TheMovie GrandFinale take place in the EverytownAmerica setting of Madison. The fourth season of the television series, in a bit of CanonDiscontinuity, is set in Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley area. Surprisingly, Mrs. Davis' old house (and thus Madison High School as well) was said to be in ''Hollywood''. This development was retconned out of existence by the GrandFinale, and never even recognized by the concurrently-running radio program.
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* AlcoholHic:
** In "The Loaded Custodians", Miss Brooks sniffs an empty bottle left-behind by the long dismissed Mr. Jensen, the previous custodian. It causes her to hiccup once.
** "Cure That Habit" has Mr. Conklin mistaken for drunk, in part because he has the hiccups.
** In "The Loaded Custodians", Miss Brooks sniffs an empty bottle left-behind by the long dismissed Mr. Jensen, the previous custodian. It causes her to hiccup once.
** "Cure That Habit" has Mr. Conklin mistaken for drunk, in part because he has the hiccups.
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* AlliterativeTitle:
** Radio episodes:
*** ''Arguments, Arguments''
*** ''Conklin's Carelessness Code''
*** ''Pensacola Popovers''
*** ''Pen Pal Project''
*** ''Marriage Madness''
** Television episodes:
*** ''The Birthday Bag''
*** ''Public Property on Parade''
*** ''Clay City Chaperone''
*** ''Madison Mascot''
*** ''Who's Who''
*** ''Mad Man Munsey''
** Radio episodes:
*** ''Arguments, Arguments''
*** ''Conklin's Carelessness Code''
*** ''Pensacola Popovers''
*** ''Pen Pal Project''
*** ''Marriage Madness''
** Television episodes:
*** ''The Birthday Bag''
*** ''Public Property on Parade''
*** ''Clay City Chaperone''
*** ''Madison Mascot''
*** ''Who's Who''
*** ''Mad Man Munsey''
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* ConstructionIsAwesome: Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton build a new garage for Mr. Conklin in "Do-It-Yourself".
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* AuthorityInNameOnly: Oliver Munsee, Vice Principal of Mrs. Nestor's Private Elementary School. He's the brother of Winona Nestor and (later) [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute of Ruth Nestor]]. He has no authority, and, by his own admission, is the "most useless vice principal in the country".
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* CatsHaveNineLives: In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton wishes to tell [[KindHeartedCatLover Mrs. Davis]] something in "the strictest confidence. [[spoiler: He finally wants to propose to Miss Brooks]]. Thus prompted, Mrs. Davis sends her cat Minerva out of the back door. The conversation over, Mrs. Davis allows Minerva back inside. Mrs. Davis remarks to Boynton that she bets Minerva would "give eight of her nine lives to know what it was all about."
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* HalfWittedHillbilly: In "Just Remember the Red River Valley", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Walter Denton try to get jobs with Deacon Jones' square dance troop. The deacon was looking for teachers to tutor "the hillbilly kids" during the summer at a salary of $500 a month (in 1954). According to a friend of Mr. Boynton, the deacon was looking for teachers who could relate to the children and double in the square dance act. This results in Miss Brooks and company pretending to be hillbillies. Unfortunately, ''Mr.'' Jones, ''State Inspector of Schools'', chooses that moment to pay a visit to Madison High School.
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* BabysittingEpisode: In "Babysitting for Three", Miss Brooks investigates to see why an honour student has been absent from school for the past several days. It turns out that his mother's in the hospital, and his father's a traveling salesman out-of-town. Miss Brooks' roped into babysitting his three small brothers (including a baby), while her teen student visits his mother. At the end, it turns out the teen has a(nother) baby brother.
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* {{Delinquents}}: In "Sunnydale Finishing School", Miss Brooks' friends think she's going to take a job at the exclusive school - after snoopy Mrs. Davis finds a years-old letter offering Connie employment. Walter Denton seeks to keep Miss Brooks at Madison High School by pretending to undergo a FaceHeelTurn and [[ZanyScheme become a juvenile delinquent.]]
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* DinnerWithTheBoss: Miss Brooks' principal, Mr. Conklin, ends up coming to dinner from time-to-time. A notable incident was the "Thanksgiving Show", where Mrs. Davis, Miss Brooks, Walter Denton, Osgood Conklin, Martha Conklin and Harriet Conklin dine on a tiny squab for their thanksgiving dinner (and a lot of side dishes, including an enormous amount of canned salmon).
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* ConvenientlyPreciseTranslation: In "Monsieur Leblanche" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of Mr. Leblanche Needs $50), Mr. Leblanche writes a letter to Miss Brooks asking to borrow $50. Harriet Conklin, who is fluent in French, ultimately translates the letter after Walter Denton's [[MyHovercraftIsFullOfEels ridiculous and altogether erroneous]] [[EpicFail attempt]]. Harriet smoothly translates the French in perfect English, somehow doing it word-for-word. [[spoiler: Walter had told Miss Brooks that Mr. Leblanche was asking her on a date, Harriet discovers that Leblanche was asking to borrow $50 to buy a car]].
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* FunnyBackgroundEvent: In "The Pet Shop", Walter Denton and Miss Brooks playact the scene that TeachersPet Walter thinks will occur when Miss Brooks meets Mr. Boynton that day. The scene continues as Walter, pretending to be Mr. Boynton, proposes marriage to Miss Brooks. In the background, Miss Brooks' [[CoolOldLady landlady Mrs. Davis]] walks into the room. Not knowing the two are acting, she looks aghast. Mrs. Davis then sniffs the old grape juice she had given them to drink, to see if it had fermented into wine! Finally, the playacting ends and Miss Brooks and Walter return to the breakfast table. They're about to have some more grape juice, but Mrs. Davis intervenes . . . .
-->'''Mrs. Davis''': Not another drop!
-->'''Mrs. Davis''': Not another drop!
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* ChristmasEpisode: Several; i.e. "Christmas Gift Mix-up", "Christmas Show", "Department Store Contest", "The Magic Tree".
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* ChristmasEpisode: Several; i.e. Our Miss Brooks had several Christmas episodes, although religion was rarely mentioned at other times (the program also had two Easter episodes and two Thanksgiving episodes):
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "ChristmasGift Mix-up", "Christmas Show", Show" features the frantic exchanging of Christmas gifts . . . before Christmas.
** "Department StoreContest", Contest" sees Miss Brooks' childhood letter to Santa Claus inadvertently entered into the titular contest.
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "TheMagic Tree".Telegram" see Miss Brooks and company throw ChristmasInJuly parties for Mrs. Davis' sister Angela and Uncle Corky respectively.
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "Christmas
** "Department Store
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "The
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* DoTheyKnowItsChristmasTime: Our Miss Brooks had several Christmas episodes, although religion was rarely mentioned at other times (the program also had two Easter episodes and two Thanksgiving episodes):
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "Christmas Show" features the frantic exchanging of Christmas gifts . . . before Christmas.
** "Department Store Contest" sees Miss Brooks' childhood letter to Santa Claus inadvertently entered into the titular contest.
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "The Telegram" see Miss Brooks and company throw ChristmasInJuly parties for Mrs. Davis' sister Angela and Uncle Corky respectively.
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "Christmas Show" features the frantic exchanging of Christmas gifts . . . before Christmas.
** "Department Store Contest" sees Miss Brooks' childhood letter to Santa Claus inadvertently entered into the titular contest.
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "The Telegram" see Miss Brooks and company throw ChristmasInJuly parties for Mrs. Davis' sister Angela and Uncle Corky respectively.
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* AmplifiedAnimalAptitude: Sometimes, the animals on ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'' understand perfectly what is going on in the human world. This usually happens on the radio (i.e. "The Frog" (where a tomcat calls for Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva via telephone), "Selling the House Next Door" (Miss Brooks babysits a dog, a cat, a frog and an actual baby), and "Minerva's Kittens" ("Minerva's husband" faints when he's told he's a father). It occasionally happens on television too, such as in "Blue Goldfish" where Mr. Boynton greets his pet frog Macdougall and the amphibian gives his typical "glug" in return. Or in "The Magic Christmas Tree" and "Citizen's League" where Minerva reacts to talk of fish or mice.
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* DressedToHeal:
** Miss Brooks dresses as a nurse to sneak into the hospital after visiting hours, in "Hospital Capers"
** In the radio episode "Pensacola Popovers", Miss Brooks dresses up as a nurse to tend to a sick Mr. Boynton. Unfortunately, when she arrives at his apartment, she discovers her patient is not the healthy Mr. Boynton, but his ailing pet bullfrog Macdougall.
** Miss Brooks dresses as a nurse to sneak into the hospital after visiting hours, in "Hospital Capers"
** In the radio episode "Pensacola Popovers", Miss Brooks dresses up as a nurse to tend to a sick Mr. Boynton. Unfortunately, when she arrives at his apartment, she discovers her patient is not the healthy Mr. Boynton, but his ailing pet bullfrog Macdougall.
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* ChaosWhileTheyreNotLooking: Typically the case with Miss Brooks and [[SitcomArchNemesis Miss Enright]]. They are both in love with Mr. Boynton. Although they engage in SnarkToSnarkCombat when alone together, they tend to hold the insults while Mr. Boynton is around. Examples include "Second-hand First Aid", "The Big Game" and "Four Fiancees".
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* CutenessEqualsForgiveness: A rare male example in "The Miserable Caballeros". A young Mexican boy, Benny Romero, tricks Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton into believing he's a neglected orphan. In fact, his parents are two of the richest people in Mexico. Still, Miss Brooks and co. forgive his deception, which was to win a bet with his cousin that he could spend a day in an American high school.
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* DesertSkull: The skull of an extinct buffalo was found in "Kritch Cave" (in the episode of the same name). Kritch Cave is located in Kritch Canyon, the isolated, tract of barren land behind Madison High School. Kritch Cave is only accessible through the rear of the Madison High School lands; its made inaccessible to the rest of the world by Kritch Mountain (in actuality, a tall hill).
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* HollywoodPoliceDrivingAcademy: At the end of "Stolen Aerial", Mr. Conklin neglects to use the brake on his parked car and it ends up rolling downhill. A patrol car travelling in the opposite direction manages to be hit head-on by the driverless vehicle.
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* AnAesop: In some episodes. Notable amongst them is "Mr. Whipple", which teaches the value of charity and caring for others. Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Walter Denton each give up something to buy food for Mr. Whipple, who they hear has not eaten in a week. In fact, Mr. Whipple is [[TheScrooge a miserly mult-millionaire, a corporate titan, and government advisor]] . . . on a diet. He had just talked the school board into ''not'' providing Madison High School with a new proper-sized gymnasium. On hearing of their self-sacrifice, Mr. Whipple has modest HeelFaceTurn (he was never an outright villain) and decides to buy them their new clothes, pay for a proper band for the dance, and advise the school board to pay for a new gymnasium after all.
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* ClosetShuffle: It happens a few times to Miss Brooks:
** "The Loaded Custodians": Miss Brooks, [[ItMakesSenseInContext tricked by custodian Mr. Burwell into thinking there's hidden treasure in his office]] hides behind a screen when Walter Denton arrives looking for the treasure. Eventually, Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Mr. Boynton end up behind the screen when Mr. Conklin knocks down the plaster on the wall looking for treasure. Mr. Conklin, afraid of being caught, physically takes the screen and hides behind it. Conklin's daughter Harriet catches Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton in the MonkeyMoralityPose ''and'' finds her father's hiding place instantly. Subsequently, Mr. Burwell emerges from the closet revealing he had been taking photographs of the first four vandalizing his office.
** In "Fischer's Pawn Shop", Madison High School is in danger of missing the opening baseball game of the season because Mr. Conklin failed to provide enough money for team uniforms. [[SeriousBusiness Desperate to avoid this tragedy]], Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin take over some item to pawn to raise the necessary funds. They each hide behind a Chinese screen as someone new ends up entering the pawn shop. Miss Brooks takes the bust of [[OurFounder Madison High School's founder]] Yodar Kritch sitting on the pedestal in Mr. Conklin's office. Mr. Boynton takes Miss Brooks' new dress. Walter Denton takes Mr. Boynton's new cages. And Mr. Conklin borrows the school baseball trophy, a silver loving cup donated by Yodar Kritch. [[spoiler: It turns out all to be unnecessary. Rival principal Jason Brille of Clay City High sent a letter already cancelling the game, because ''he'' had spent his own school's sports appropriation and couldn't afford team uniforms.
** "Cow in Closet": In this radio episode, absent-minded Mrs. Davis buys her brother Victor a new milk cow for his farm and Miss Brooks a new cushion for her chair in her classroom. HilarityEnsues as Mrs. Davis mixes up the delivery instructions. [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton end up hiding the cow in the closet before Mr. Conklin can see it.]]
** "The Loaded Custodians": Miss Brooks, [[ItMakesSenseInContext tricked by custodian Mr. Burwell into thinking there's hidden treasure in his office]] hides behind a screen when Walter Denton arrives looking for the treasure. Eventually, Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Mr. Boynton end up behind the screen when Mr. Conklin knocks down the plaster on the wall looking for treasure. Mr. Conklin, afraid of being caught, physically takes the screen and hides behind it. Conklin's daughter Harriet catches Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton in the MonkeyMoralityPose ''and'' finds her father's hiding place instantly. Subsequently, Mr. Burwell emerges from the closet revealing he had been taking photographs of the first four vandalizing his office.
** In "Fischer's Pawn Shop", Madison High School is in danger of missing the opening baseball game of the season because Mr. Conklin failed to provide enough money for team uniforms. [[SeriousBusiness Desperate to avoid this tragedy]], Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin take over some item to pawn to raise the necessary funds. They each hide behind a Chinese screen as someone new ends up entering the pawn shop. Miss Brooks takes the bust of [[OurFounder Madison High School's founder]] Yodar Kritch sitting on the pedestal in Mr. Conklin's office. Mr. Boynton takes Miss Brooks' new dress. Walter Denton takes Mr. Boynton's new cages. And Mr. Conklin borrows the school baseball trophy, a silver loving cup donated by Yodar Kritch. [[spoiler: It turns out all to be unnecessary. Rival principal Jason Brille of Clay City High sent a letter already cancelling the game, because ''he'' had spent his own school's sports appropriation and couldn't afford team uniforms.
** "Cow in Closet": In this radio episode, absent-minded Mrs. Davis buys her brother Victor a new milk cow for his farm and Miss Brooks a new cushion for her chair in her classroom. HilarityEnsues as Mrs. Davis mixes up the delivery instructions. [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton end up hiding the cow in the closet before Mr. Conklin can see it.]]
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* BadDate: Miss Brooks often suffered from variations on the trope in her relationship with Mr. Boynton. In part, this was mostly because Mr. Boynton was {{Adorkable}} and ObliviousToLove - his favorite place to take Miss Brooks was the zoo. [[spoiler: they finally end up marrying at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale]]. Some notable bad dates follow:
** In the radio episode "The Frog", Miss Brooks tries to relocate her next date by getting a pet female frog . . . and going on a double-date with Mr. Boynton and his pet frog Macdougall. HilarityEnsues when Mr. Boynton ''also'' brings over a tomcat to date landlady Mrs. Davis' cat Minerva.
** Another radio episode, "Valentine's Day Date", sees Miss Brooks conspire to get Mr. Boynton to take her to a restaurant. "Turk's Turkey Heaven".
** A television episode "Madame Brooks du Barry" has Brooks and Boynton initially having a good date at the country club. Mr. Boynton, borrowing TeachersPet Walter Denton's car, runs out of gas on a lonely country road (likely due to Denton's scheming). Mr. Boynton takes this as prompting to take a nap until morning. Brooks and Boynton finally get gasoline from the milkman in the morning.
** In the radio episode "The Frog", Miss Brooks tries to relocate her next date by getting a pet female frog . . . and going on a double-date with Mr. Boynton and his pet frog Macdougall. HilarityEnsues when Mr. Boynton ''also'' brings over a tomcat to date landlady Mrs. Davis' cat Minerva.
** Another radio episode, "Valentine's Day Date", sees Miss Brooks conspire to get Mr. Boynton to take her to a restaurant. "Turk's Turkey Heaven".
** A television episode "Madame Brooks du Barry" has Brooks and Boynton initially having a good date at the country club. Mr. Boynton, borrowing TeachersPet Walter Denton's car, runs out of gas on a lonely country road (likely due to Denton's scheming). Mr. Boynton takes this as prompting to take a nap until morning. Brooks and Boynton finally get gasoline from the milkman in the morning.
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* CompanyCameo: ''Radio/OurMissBrooks'' was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive for most of its radio run (although not its coexisting [[SoundToScreenAdaptation television run]]). Palmolive used the program to promote its "Lucky Goldmine" contest in story. For example, in "Game at Clay City" Walter and Harriet try to guess the latest clue. The most notable CompanyCameo was in the July 31st, 1949 episode, "Connie's New Job Offer". One morning, Mrs. Davis informed Miss Brooks that the (real) winner of $49,000 was the personal secretary for a mayor of a small New Jersey town. In this story, Miss Brooks had once worked for the same mayor! Connie considers returning to her old job. It was sure to be open now, the secretary having won $49,000 in the Colgate-Palmolive "Lucky Goldmine" Contest! Ultimately, Connie decides against going back to New Jersey and chooses to remain a teacher at Madison High School.
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* HollywoodPudgy: Mr. Conklin has been descriped as fat or "pear-shaped". Once in "The Stolen Wardrobe", when he's mistaken for a fur theif, he's described as stout. In reality he wouldn't stand out in a crowd.
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* AprilFoolsPlot:
** The plot in the radio [[SoundToScreenAdaptation and tv]] episodes "Cure That Habit" result from Walter Denton sending a postcard to the titular organization in principal Osgood Conklin's name. "Cure That Habit" is a firm that provides treatment for alcoholism. HilarityEnsues when the president of "Cure That Habit" informs the head of the board of education of Mr. Conklin's "drunkenness".
** Again, the radio episode "Free TV From Sherry's", and its SoundToScreenAdaptation "Wild Goose" centers on another of Walter Denton's April Fool's Day jokes on Mr. Conklin. This time, Walter tricks Conklin into thinking he's won a free television set from Sherry's Department Store. HilarityEnsues when Conklin sends Miss Brooks to pick up the television set.
** The plot in the radio [[SoundToScreenAdaptation and tv]] episodes "Cure That Habit" result from Walter Denton sending a postcard to the titular organization in principal Osgood Conklin's name. "Cure That Habit" is a firm that provides treatment for alcoholism. HilarityEnsues when the president of "Cure That Habit" informs the head of the board of education of Mr. Conklin's "drunkenness".
** Again, the radio episode "Free TV From Sherry's", and its SoundToScreenAdaptation "Wild Goose" centers on another of Walter Denton's April Fool's Day jokes on Mr. Conklin. This time, Walter tricks Conklin into thinking he's won a free television set from Sherry's Department Store. HilarityEnsues when Conklin sends Miss Brooks to pick up the television set.
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* IronicEchoCut: * In "Faculty Cheerleader", Miss Brooks complains to landlady Mrs. Davis that Mr. Conklin must be imagining Miss Brooks throwing a baton in the air and having it hit her on the head. Cut to Mr. Conklin, giving an EvilLaugh and contemplating Miss Brooks throwing a baton into the air and having it hit her on the head.
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** In speaking of Mr. Conklin, especially at breakfast to [[CoolOldLady landlady Mrs. Davis,]] Miss Brooks often refers to Conklin as "our beloved principal". In reality, Mr. Conklin is RepressiveButEffecient yet [[ZeroPercentApprovalRatings unloved by the students]] - [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold save by his own daughter Harriet.]]
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** In speaking of Mr. Conklin, especially at breakfast to [[CoolOldLady landlady Mrs. Davis,]] Miss Brooks often refers to Conklin as "our beloved principal". In reality, Mr. Conklin is RepressiveButEffecient RepressiveButEfficient yet [[ZeroPercentApprovalRatings [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating unloved by the students]] - [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold save by for his own daughter Harriet.]]
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* IronicNickname: In "Wild Goose", Miss Brooks refers to DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass as "the brain."
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* IronicNickname: IronicNickname:
** In "Wild Goose", Miss Brooks refers to DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass as "the brain.""
** In speaking of Mr. Conklin, especially at breakfast to [[CoolOldLady landlady Mrs. Davis,]] Miss Brooks often refers to Conklin as "our beloved principal". In reality, Mr. Conklin is RepressiveButEffecient yet [[ZeroPercentApprovalRatings unloved by the students]] - [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold save by his own daughter Harriet.]]
* IrrevocableMessage:
** In "Noodnick, Daughter of Medic", Mr. Conklin thinks he's being fired and Miss Brooks is taking his place as Madison High's principal. Conklin sends Mr. Stone (head of the board of education) a resignation letter telling Stone to "take a flying half-Nelson off a galloping goose". Mr. Conklin panics when he discovers his job is safe. No matter; fortunately the letter causes the school board and Mr. Stone to realize how much they need Mr. Conklin. Miss Brooks even manages to arrange for Mr. Conklin to get a raise.
** In "Mr. Conklin is Honoured", Mr. Conklin is insulted to get a plaque instead of a bust after many years of service to the school board. He insults school board Mr. Stone over the phone, and immediately regrets it. HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin tries to fake a case of EasyAmnesia and several of the Madison High School crowd hit him in the head to try and undo it.
** In "Wild Goose", Miss Brooks refers to DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass as "the brain.
** In speaking of Mr. Conklin, especially at breakfast to [[CoolOldLady landlady Mrs. Davis,]] Miss Brooks often refers to Conklin as "our beloved principal". In reality, Mr. Conklin is RepressiveButEffecient yet [[ZeroPercentApprovalRatings unloved by the students]] - [[HairOfGoldHeartOfGold save by his own daughter Harriet.]]
* IrrevocableMessage:
** In "Noodnick, Daughter of Medic", Mr. Conklin thinks he's being fired and Miss Brooks is taking his place as Madison High's principal. Conklin sends Mr. Stone (head of the board of education) a resignation letter telling Stone to "take a flying half-Nelson off a galloping goose". Mr. Conklin panics when he discovers his job is safe. No matter; fortunately the letter causes the school board and Mr. Stone to realize how much they need Mr. Conklin. Miss Brooks even manages to arrange for Mr. Conklin to get a raise.
** In "Mr. Conklin is Honoured", Mr. Conklin is insulted to get a plaque instead of a bust after many years of service to the school board. He insults school board Mr. Stone over the phone, and immediately regrets it. HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin tries to fake a case of EasyAmnesia and several of the Madison High School crowd hit him in the head to try and undo it.
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!!''Our Miss Brooks'' provides examples of the following:
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'''Tropes A to I''' | [[OurMissBrooks/TropesJToZ Tropes J to Z]]
----
* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Mr. Conklin is frequently seen scraping 0% in his popularity amongst the students and faculty of Madison High School. This is mostly due to his strictness, his pompous nature, as well as his occasional unprincipled actions. For example, without authorization, he forces students to go to "School on Saturday" in the episode of the same name. Or pay arbitrary fines, proceeds going to a bust of Mr. Conklin's head to be placed on the pedestal in the library ("Carelessness Code"). Another low moment for Mr. Conklin was his attempt to raise money to renorvate his office from the student body and the faculty. Not only did nobody donate money in the collection box, Walter Denton stole a dime out of the half dollar Mr. Conklin put in to get the ball rolling! There is, however, one student who ''loves'' Mr. Conklin. ''His daughter'' Harriet!
* AbandonedWarehouse: Miss Brooks and Walter Denton visit the now-abandoned warehouse of the "Jackpot Amusement Company" at the end of "Student Government Day". Miss Brooks pulls the arm of a rigged one-arm bandit machines that had been left behind by the racketeers, winning the jackpot.
* AbandonShip: In "An American Tragedy", Mr. Conklin, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are stranded on a sinking rowboat. Subverted as they are unable to abandon ship, as none of them are wearing lifejackets and only Mr. Boynton can swim.
* AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil: Averted. Harriet Conklin is Student Council president, and she seems to have no power whatsoever. Her father, Mr. Conklin, [[RepressiveButEfficient runs Madison with an iron fist]]. Similarly, Walter Denton is on the student council, editor of the school paper, and manager of half the school's varsity teams. He has, if possible, even less power. In "Trying to Pick a Fight", Walter calls an extra skull practice. Mr. Boynton chews him out for exceeding his authority.
* AbsurdlyYouthfulMother: In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Miss Brooks unwittingly offers to masquerade as Mr. Boynton's mother. This is in spite of the fact she is actually a couple of years younger than her LoveInterest. ItMakesSenseInContext.
* AccidentalBargainingSkills: In "Mr. [=LeBlanc=] needs $50", when Mr. Conklin offers Miss Brooks $25 to discourage Mr. [=LeBlanc=] from buying his Stutz - Miss Brooks demurs. Mr. Conklin immediately raises his offer to $50.
* AcquiredSituationalNarcissism: In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to grow a mustache. She compliments him on his new appearance, and arranges for other female teachers to do the same. Lo, and behold, Miss Brooks finds she provoked a case of AcquiredSituationalNarcissism in her LoveInterest.
* AdaptationalVillainy: Mr. Conklin was nothing more than a nuisance and a blowhard during the radio show and first three seasons of the TV show. However, when the show was retooled for the fourth season he was turned into a full-on villain who vowed to make Miss Brooks' life miserable and would even try to get her fired. The two went from being frenemies to just plain enemies.
* AdoptTheFood: In "Thanksgiving Turkey", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton save money by buying a live turkey. Miss Brooks quickly grows fond of the turkey, and refuses to help Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton kill her.
* AdultsDressedAsChildren:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Return", Miss Brooks dresses as a small child to get on an airplane free. Given how tall Eve Arden is, it needs to be seen to be believed . . . .
** Or maybe not. "Borrowing Money to Fly", a radio episode, has Miss Brooks try the same trick, and her dialogue and "little girl voice" are funny in and of itself.
** "Turnabout Day" sees the Madison High School faculty dress as children. Miss Brooks dresses in the then-current style for teenage girls, while Mr. Conklin wears a propeller beanie and a WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse shirt.
* AerithAndBob: Everybody has fairly standard names, with the exception of Mr. ''Osgood'' Conklin. Not to mention [[EmbarrassingFirstName Fabian]] Snodgrass.
* AFoolForAClient: In "Trial By Jury" ([[SoundToScreenAdaptation a remake of the radio episode "Traffic Court Reckless Driving"]]), Miss Brooks' defends herself in court after being given a ticket for "speeding, going through a red light, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk, and hitting a [[FruitCart fruit stand]]. Miss Brooks' expertise as an English teacher instead of a lawyer is evident here, at one point she recites Portia's speech from ''Theatre/TheMerchantOfVenice''. Unfortunately, Miss Brooks' defense is doomed from the start as [[DeanBitterman Madison High School's principal Mr. Conklin]] is on the jury. And he's furious at having to abandon plans for a fishing trip "just because some stubborn female insists on a jury trial for a traffic ticket!" Still Mr. Conklin is at least ''partially'' impressed by Miss Brooks' recitation:
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Bravo. Bravo. AND GUILTY AS CHARGED!
* AfterSchoolCleaningDuty: Alluded to occasionally on ''Radio/OurMissBrooks''. In "Spare That Rod!", while cleaning Mr. Conklin's office, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass find an old letter to Mr. Darwell, Mr. Conklin's predecessor as principal. They type Mr. Conklin's name on the ten-year-old envelope . . . HilarityEnsues.
* AgeAppropriateAngst: The dating concerns of teenagers Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass are usually played for laughs. Miss Brooks' problems in her pursuit of Mr. Boynton are often played for laughs, but she elicits considerably more sympathy as well.
* AgelessBirthdayEpisode: "The Birthday Bag" on television, "The Surprise Party" on the radio.
* {{Ahem}}: Sometimes done by Mr. Conklin. For example, when Miss Brooks accidentally telephones him in "Wake Up Plan".
* TheAlcoholic: Two examples, one real, one fake.
** "The Loaded Custodians": the former custodian Mr. Jensen was said to have been dismissed for drunkenness. Curiously, in his few radio appearances (i.e. "Key to the School", "School Safety Adviser"), Mr. Jensen isn't a drunk. His main idiosyncrasy is that he's extremely [[LiteralMinded literal minded]].
** "Cure That Habit": Walter Denton plays a prank, sending a postcard in Mr. Conklin's name to the titular agency. The Head of the Board of Education, Mr. Stone, hears of it and comes to see his supposedly drunken principal. [[spoiler: HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin is suffering from an unfortunate case of the hiccups, having pets mistakenly placed in his office, and being spun around in a chair.]]
* ALessonLearnedTooWell: It happens a couple of times when Miss Brooks tries to make Mr. Boynton less ObliviousToLove:
** In "Poetry Mix-up", Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to read ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'' to make him more romantically-inclined. It backfires when Mr. Boynton postpones a date so he could finish reading the book.
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache'' Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to grow a mustache; she also encourages her female colleagues to compliment his appearance. This was an effort to make Mr. Boynton less shy. It works too well. Mr. Boynton starts dating three other women.
* AlienInvasion: In "Space, Who Needs It?", Walter Denton tricks Mr. Conklin into believing he's being attacked by aliens from a planet he thinks he's just discovered with his new telescope.
* AllClothUnravels: In "Friday the Thirteenth", Miss Brooks ends up tearing off a lapel on Mr. Conklin's new suit by merely pulling on a loose thread.
* AllegedCar:
** Miss Brooks' car, when she has one. It's almost always in the shop. In fact, the number of episodes (on either radio and television) where she gets to drive her car can be counted on one hand; namely "Game At Clay City", "Who's Going Where", "Four Leaf Clover", "Brooks' New Car" and "Head of the State Board of Education".
** Walter Denton's junky jalopy also definitely qualifies;, although it, at least, is usually in working order. However, Walter often drives it ''sans'' top or even sides.
** A one-time offender was Mr. Conklin's second automobile, ''mostly'' a Stutz. He tries to unload the lemon on the unsuspecting Mr. [=LeBlanc=] in "Mr. [=LeBlanc=] Needs $50".
* TheAllegedSteed: In "Geraldine", Benny Romero talks Miss Brooks into buying a sixteen-year-old swayback mare for the Miss Nestor's school's riding academy. "Geraldine" does prove to be a horse of unique value: it turns out she's expecting and by episode's end gives birth to triplets. In RealLife, the chances of a mare giving birth to live triplets is 1 in 300,000.
* AlliterativeName: [[DumbJock Student athlete]] "Stretch" Snodgrass. Ironically, in "Madison Mascot", it turns out that not only does he not know what alliterative means, [[StrangeSyntaxSpeaker he can't even pronounce the word]].
* AllJustADream: [[spoiler: "The Dream", "Magic Christmas Tree" and "Trying to Forget Mr. Boynton".]]
* AllLoveIsUnrequited:
** Averted with Miss Brooks and her LoveInterest Mr. Boynton. There, her main problem is that Mr. Boynton is too shy or awkward to make a move; or sometimes just wary of a relationship that would end in marriage. For example, in "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Mr. Boynton all but tells Dean Faraday of State University that he would like to someday propose marriage to Connie Brooks. [[spoiler: Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks marry at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale]]
** Played straight with DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass and his unrequited love for Harriet Conklin. Harriet just happens to be the girlfriend of his Walter Denton, his best friend. His resultant depression is a problem in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Stretch Has A Problem"]]. Stretch's sitting with Harriet at the movie theater helps set off a fight with a jealous Walter in "Stretch v. Walter Grudge Match". Finally, Stretch's attempt to "worship [Harriet] from afar" by sending her anonymous love letters, sets off the events of "Poetry Mixup".
** [[SoundToScreenAdaptation "Poetry Mixup" was remade for television]] as "Bones, Son of Cyrano". Only instead of Stretch falling for Harriet, [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute it was his brother Bones.]]
* AllLovingHero: Connie Brooks is a kind and caring person, who frequently goes out of her way to help her friends, pupils and even perfect strangers. An example of the latter occurs in "The Burglar". Here, Connie catches a man breaking into the house and raiding the refridgerator. Instead of turning him in, Connie and Mrs. Davis share breakfast with the man and get him a job filling in for the school custodian.
* AllThatGlitters: In the episode "Indian Burial Ground", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton believe broken toys buried in Mr. Conklin's vacant lot to be valuable Indian artifacts.
* AllWitchesHaveCats: In "Halloween Party", Mr. Boynton observes that the two figures most associated with Halloween are witches and black cats. Miss Brooks is offended when Mr. Boynton, Stretch Snodgrass and Walter Denton all think that she'd be perfect dressed as a witch for the party. Miss Brooks eventually gives in . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Connie Brooks rides tonight!
* AlmaMaterSong: The radio episodes "Clay City English Teacher" and "Mr. Laythrop returns to School" feature the Madison anthem, "O Madison". Miss Brooks adds her own lyrics in parody:
-->O Madison!\\
Thou Madison!\\
(As old as Thomas Addison!)\\
O hallowed halls!\\
(O basketballs!)\\
How short the day!\\
(how short the pay!)\\
When we gray hair at Madison!\\
We'll still be there at Madison!\\
(Hello, Clay City!)
* AlmostKiss: In "Magic Christmas Tree", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton almost kiss under the mistletoe. Unfortunately, Mr. Boynton [[SneezeOfDoom sneezes]] as he's allergic to mistletoe. Later, Mr. Boynton kisses Miss Brooks under the influence of [[ItMakesSenseInContext the magic christmas tree]]. [[spoiler: However, it turns out both the AlmostKiss and the kiss were AllJustADream. The actual TheBigDamnKiss doesn't take place under midway through TheMovie GrandFinale, although Miss Brooks would steal a few minor kisses over the course of the series]].
* AlwaysIdenticalTwins: Subverted in "Connie and Bonnie" when Miss Brooks impersonates her nonexistent twin. Played straight in "Orphan Twins" with Mike and Danny.
* AlwaysInClassOne: As Miss Brooks is the protagonist, and her actual teaching is rarely in focus, it should be largely irrelevant who's in what class. Nevertheless, student characters Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass are almost always stated to be in the same class of Miss Brooks'. This, in a school, with multiple English teachers. Notably subverted in the episode "Faculty Cheerleader", when Mr. Conklin assigns the three to different classes to punish Walter.
* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: In "Blue Goldfish", the titular fish in the aquarium in Mr. Boynton's lab. Miss Brooks initially mistakes it for a tropical fish. The reason it's blue? [[FridgeLogic The fish is cold, because Principal Conklin won't heat the school to a proper temperature.]]
* AmbulanceChaser: In the episode "Hospital Capers". A lawyer (a literal ambulance chaser) gets Mr. Boynton to sign a contract hiring him a counsel; the contract features a hefty penalty if Mr. Boynton chooses to terminate his representation. When Miss Brooks visits the lawyer, he hands her ever larger magnifying glasses to read the contract's fine print. Lampshaded when the lawyer admits to Miss Brooks that he's been disbarred in several states.
* AmusingInjuries: Sometimes Miss Brooks suffers from klutziness around Osgood Conklin, leaving the choleric Mr. Conklin the victim of a variety of slapstick indignities. "Living Statues" involves her opening the door of the Principal's office and slamming it into his face. A variation occurred in "Here Is Your Past" where Miss Brooks accidentally gets Mr. Conklin to sneeze so badly he dislocates his shoulders and cracks his ribs! In TheMovie GrandFinale, Miss Brooks does one better, dropping a barbell on his foot!
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': It's alright Miss Brooks. I have another one!
* {{Angrish}}: Mr. Conklin, on occasion. The following except is from the episode "Clay City English Teacher":
-->'''Mr. Conklin:''' Now, see here Brill. I won't have it. You can't do this. I'll have you...\\
'''Mr. Brill:''' Oh, stop puffing Osgood. You've come to a station.
* AndThatsTerrible: In "The Egg", Mr. Conklin is the DesignatedVillain for wanting to take a photograph of a hatching chick. Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are worried the chick will be harmed by the flashbulbs.
* AnimalReactionShot: Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva and Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall occasionally take an interest in people's conversations. For example, in "The Magic Tree", Mrs. Davis' cat Minerva reacts furiously to Miss Brooks' recital of "A Visit From St. Nicholas"
--> '''Miss Brooks''': T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . .
--> '''Minerva''': MEOW!
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, Minerva.
* AnimalTesting: Part of Mr. Boynton's job as a Biology Teacher is to experiment on animals. ForScience of course. Miss Brooks seems slightly squeamish about the whole thing. It's played for laughs, if anything. One episode, "New Girl In Town", has Miss Brooks assist Mr. Boynton bury mice killed for the cause in the school athletic field. Harriet Conklin, jealous of and attempting to scare off said new girl, implies to the girl's mother that Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are burying ''human'' victims.
* AnimatedCreditsOpening: In the program's original primetime run, the last (1955-1956) season featured the animated opening [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiULeQTwaJQ seen here]]
* AnnoyingLaugh:
** Mrs. Davis' sister Angela has a high pitched laugh, like a schoolgirl. The annoyance comes from the fact that she's a short, middle-aged woman. It's especially notable in the episode "Angela's Wedding".
** Walter Denton has a high, discordant laugh to go along with his squeaky teenage voice. In "Mr. Leblanc Needs $50" his girlfriend Harriet Conklin walks up to him while he's laughing:
-->'''Harriet''': How long have you been standing there, cackling to yourself?
* AnticlimacticParent:
** In "Former Student Visits", Miss Brooks is worried that a visiting former student (who's now a doctor) will reveal her true age (her early thirties) to Mr. Boynton's mother. Mr. Boynton's mother was advising her son to marry a young woman. The cat gets out of the bag; fortunately Miss Brooks' former student's ''father'' was a student of Mr. Boynton's mother in elementary school. The elder Mrs. Boynton then suggests her son marry a woman his age.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, the elder Mrs. Boynton appears near the end of the picture. Agreeing to board with Mrs. Davis, she frees Phillip Boynton to marry Connie Brooks and give Connie [[KarmicJackpot a much deserved]] and [[SeriesGoal long desired]] HappilyEverAfter.
* AntiSchoolUniformsPlot: A variation in the 1949 episode, "Dress Code Protest". Madison High's students proclaim a "Spirit Week". This festival is described by Miss Brooks as a "malevolent Mardi-Gras" where the kids wear outlandish clothes each day of the week. One such day was "Girls wear slacks, boys wear one shoe only. In response to the weeks' "festivities", Principal Conklin institutes a strict dress clothes - among other things, banning girls from wearing pants to school. Walter Denton decides to protest the dress code by wearing clothes banned to the distaff side of Madison High - so he shows up wearing a dress.
* TheArtifact:
** Walter Denton driving Miss Brooks to school was an artifact from the first audition show with actress Shirley Booth. There, Mrs. Davis has a teenaged daughter whom Walter Denton was dating. Mrs. Davis' daughter dumped Walter, leaving him to reluctantly take Miss Brooks to school. Mrs. Davis' daughter was adapted out by the time Eve Arden auditioned for the role, leaving it unexplained how it came about that Walter drives Miss Brooks to school almost every morning. One supposes it's just because Walter's a TeachersPet.
** "Stretch" Snograss' nickname was an artifact from the radio episode where he was first introduced, "Stretch the Basketball Star." His nickname is said to come about from the fact he's six foot five inches tall. When the program went to television, its readily apparent Leonard Smith, the actor who played Snodgrass, was nowhere near that height (and is, about the height of Eve Arden). Its never again explained how he became known as "Stretch." The fact is lampshaded in the episode "Baseball Slide."
-->'''Miss Brooks''' (in greeting): Why, Stretch.
-->'''Stretch Snodgrass''': [[LiteralMinded I don't know. That's what everybody calls me.]]
* ArtisticTitle: In syndication, Our Miss Brooks has the title and opening credits appearing on a blackboard. One of the openings used during the show's run had the opening credits also appearing on a blackboard, with Miss Brooks herself erasing them - only for the next set of credits to appear to the consternation of a confused Miss Brooks!
* AsideComment: Miss Brooks makes aside comments sometimes, under the guise of talking to herself. This is more prevalent on the radio than on television.
* AsideGlance: Miss Brooks does this a few times in the [[TheMovie the theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], i.e. her confused expression upon meeting Mrs. Davis. However, her expressions were very much testament of her feelings rather than an attempt to break the fourth wall.
* ASimplePlan: "The Birthday Bag" sees Miss Brooks' friends try to throw her a surprise birthday party and buy her an alligator skin purse as a gift. HilarityEnsues.
* AskAStupidQuestion: Miss Brooks sometimes resorts to giving a stupid answer in response.
* AsleepInClass:
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", [[DumbJock star athlete]] Stretch Snodgrass' late nights [[ItMakesSenseInContext "rumbering"]] cause him to fall asleep in school. In this case, it's not the dimwitted student's marks that are at stake, but Madison's winning the big football game with Clay City High.
** Another episode has Walter Denton accidently blurt to Miss Brooks that he sometimes takes "forty winks" in his class, because his teacher would have to be a "cockeyed wonder" to see him napping in his seat behind Stretch. To Walter's horror, he realizes Miss Brooks is the "cockeyed wonder" to whom he was referring.
* AssemblyLineFastForward: In "Vitamin E-4", Mr. Conklin, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton make a mess when manufacturing the eponymous "vitamin".
* {{Auction}}: In "The Auction", [[SoundToScreenAdaptation a radio episode remade for television]], Madison High School holds an auction to raise funds for children's playground equipment. A local philanthropist even donates an entire house full of furniture. HilarityEnsues when DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass mixes up addresses, and Miss Brooks inadvertently auctions off Mr. Conklin's furniture instead:
--->'''Miss Brooks''': [[OhCrap Mr. Conklin . . . it was your house!]] . . . Well, there's only one way to settle this. Gather round, folks, gather round. What am I bid for me and Stretch Snodgrass?
* BackseatDriver: In "Game At Clay City", Mr. Conklin appoints himself navigator and gives a steady stream of orders to Miss Brooks.
* BackToSchool: The episode "Mr. Lathrop Returns to School". Mr. Lathrop (voiced by Jim Backus) is a successful entrepreneur and self-made man, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin choosing to return to school to complete his high school diploma.]] Unfortunately, Mr. Lathrop insists on rearranging school clubs and school management in the manner of a corporation, and being a friend of the Head of the Board, is able to do this unopposed. Miss Brooks resorts to a ZanyScheme; she invites her landlady Mrs. Davis and one of Mrs. Davis' elderly friends to go in a new class with Mr. Lathrop. Mr. Lathrop flees Madison High School when he finds himself in a combination sewing circle and day nursery for Mrs. Davis' friends' grandchild.
* BadBadActing: In "Acting Director", the school faculty tries to impress a visiting talent scout from Creator/WarnerBrothers. Features over-the-top bad acting from Mr. Conklin, Mr. Munsee, Mr. Talbot. The episode ends when Miss Brooks herself tries to impress with an overemotional (and dressed) portrayal of Lady Godiva!
* BadLiar: Mr. Boynton is a terrible liar. In "Trial by Jury", it's revealed the very act of lying gives him a psychosomatic case of the hiccouphs.
* BadLuckCharm: "Four Leaf Clover" has Miss Brooks find the unlucky charm. Lo and behold, all four tires of Miss Brooks' car blow, she's forced to pay a large fine for stepping on a lawn, she knocks over a table of trinkets in front of the store, is threatened with arrest by a policeman, and is finally quarantined in the same building as Mr. Conklin. Miss Brooks gives the unlucky clover to a dishonest car mechanic.
* BadlyBatteredBabysitter: Miss Brooks falls victim to this trope in "Babysitting for Three", "Babysitting New Year's Eve" and "Measles".
* BadToTheLastDrop: Mrs. Davis' coffee was usually fine (the time she made "Bulgarian Coffee" notwithstanding). However, being a CordonBleughChef, Mrs. Davis sometimes makes horrid liquid (albeit non-alcoholic) drinks that are truly BadToTheLastDrop.
* BarbershopEpisode:
** In the radio episode, "The Hair-Do", Miss Brooks goes to the beauty salon. SitcomArchNemesis Daisy Enright tells Antoine to give Miss Brooks an inappropriate hairdo.
** To a lesser degree, "Fargo Whiskers". Harriet advises Miss Brooks that she can get more interest from Mr. Boynton by changing her hairstyle. Miss Brooks goes to the hairdresser and gets a hairstyle with three buns on the side and the back. Later, Miss Brooks tries a series of wigs. Unfortunately, some misinformation from Miss Brooks' landlady Mr. Davis makes Mr. Boynton think that Miss Brooks is only getting new hairstyles is because Brooks' suffering from overwork.
* BarelyThereSwimwear: In the episode "Friday the Thirteenth"; while looking through a photo album with Mrs. Davis, Connie finds a photo of herself in a "French model bathing suit". The picture's described as unsuitable for the yearbook, although Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are very impressed with the revealing photo nonetheless.
* TheBartender: In "Babysitting New Year's Eve", Mrs. Davis has a friend who's a bartender. She invites him over to prepare the punch for her New Year's party. Mrs. Davis' bartender friend is allowed New Year's off as a condition of his employment. The reason? [[FridgeLogic The bartender hates drunks.]]
* BathsAreFun: In "Stretch Has A Problem", Miss Brooks' "feet were ready to come off" participating in a snake dance. The rally was held in honor of the Madison High School basketball team's departure to the state tournament. The sore and tired Miss Brooks spends the rest of the episode trying to take a bath. Alas, she's continually interrupted by somebody coming to the door before she can get into the tub:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': ''(singing, while filling the bathtub with water)'' Singing in the bathtub, nothing can go wrong. Singing in the bathtub . . . .
-->''Doorbell rings''
--> '''Miss Brooks''': ''(singing)'' [[DeadpanSnarker Oh, I should live so long!]]
* BatmanInMyBasement: In "The Jockey", Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis hide a jockey ''and his racehorse'' in their garage until he can win a big race and pay his debts.
* BatmanParody: In the episode "New School TV Set" (aired 1951), Miss Brooks and Mrs. David criticize the television set at school as scholastically and culturally useless. All the students were watching were westerns, murder mysteries and horror stories. Miss Brooks remarks that there was one semi-educational program on the day before, "The Batman Eat Up The Dean of Harvard" - suggesting Miss Brooks is joking, but doesn't realize who or what Batman is.
* BavarianFireDrill: Mr. Conklin places himself in charge practically ''everywhere'' he goes. This is in spite of the fact that his authority as principal is really only good at Madison High School. The "Thanksgiving Show" is a good example. Mr. Conklin arrives at Mrs. Davis' house and quickly puts himself in command, ordering about the others in the setup of the dining room table.
* BeautifulDreamer: At the end of "Wake Up Plan", Mr. Boynton falls asleep on a chair in the hall. Miss Brooks doesn't wake him up, but sits beside him. Mr. Boynton whistles in his sleep!
* BeleagueredAssistant: In "The Dancer", Miss Brooks discusses with Mrs. Davis the fact that Mr. Conklin can never hold onto a secretary. Fed up with being yelled at by the hotheaded principal, they inevitably quit. The newest secretary quit before she started, she heard Mr. Conklin yelling at her predecessor. The result? Miss Brooks is forced to play the role of Mr. Conklin's beleaguered assistant when he finds himself without a secretary . . . Hilarity Ensues.
* BellyDancer: Belly dancers appear in Miss Brooks' India themed dream in the episode "King and Brooks".
* BetaCouple: The alpha couple was Miss Brooks' '''slow''' romance with ObliviousToLove Phillip Boynton. In the background, was the often goofy teenaged romance of beta couple Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin.
* BettyAndVeronica: Miss Enright was another, more glamorous English teacher who competed with Miss Brooks for Boynton's affection.
* BewareOfViciousDog: Mr. Whipple's guard dogs in the episode "Mr. Whipple".
* BigBrotherIsWatching: The point of Mr. Conklin's "Project X" in the episode of the same name. Mr. Conklin's system allows him to listen in to what's going on in every room in the school, including the female faculty room, the boiler room, and the roof.
* TheBigDamnKiss: In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton is jealous of Miss Brooks spending time with millionaire Lawrence Nolan. Wondering how he can compete with a millionaire, Miss Brooks suggests that "a good offense is the best defense." Mr. Boynton is initially [[ObliviousToLove clueless as per normal]]. Suddenly, he has a EurekaMoment, his eyes lights up, goes back to the Mrs. Davis' door and passionately kisses Miss Brooks. [[WhamShot Something he hadn't had nerve to do for the previous eight years of radio or eight years of television.]]
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Like, wow.
* TheBigEasy: In one episode, Mr. Boynton falsely claims to have learnt some French serving in the army [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII during the war]]. A skeptical Miss Brooks counters that Mr. Boynton was stationed in the United States, and he knew it. Mr. Boynton insists that he was stationed in New Orleans, and spent a lot of time in the French Quarter.
* BigFancyHouse:
** Mr. Whipple, in the episode of the same name, lives in mansion guarded by vicious dogs.
** In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] the Nolans live in a large mansion, complete with a butler and additional servants.
* BigFriendlyDog: The eponymous dog in "Peanuts, The Great Dane".
* BigSecret:
** In "Stolen Aerial," Miss Brooks is able to get a discount from a wolfish television repairman who wants to go out with her. Miss Brooks is advised to keep her discount a secret so as not to get many more freeloaders wanting the same deal. Too late, Mrs. Davis and Walter Denton had already let the cat out of the bag. Miss Brooks gets deluged with broken aerials and even television sets needing repair. However, Miss Brooks keeps her promise; she hides the real reason for her sudden television-equipment windfall from Mr. Conklin. Unfortunately, the television repairman had accidentally lent Miss Brooks Mr. Conklin's checkered television aerial. Mr. Conklin concludes Miss Brooks is a [[Literature/OliverTwist "female Fagin"]], using Mr. Boynton and several high school students to run a television-equipment theft ring.
** The BigSecret trope again appears in "The Jewel Robbery." Mr. Conklin accidentally breaks a jewelry store window when carrying a bad a laundry to the cleaners. Conklin believes the police want him for the inadvertent vandalism. In reality, they're looking for a thief who had robbed the jewelry store a short time before.
* BigStormEpisode: In the episode "Radio Bombay", Miss Brooks and the Madison High gang are convinced that a fierce hurricane is on the way. The only problem is that the broadcast they're listening to originates from Bombay, India . . . .
* BigWordShout: "Now GO!", Mr. Conklin's favored expression when ordering someone out of his office. He make extensive use of this trope on other occasions as well!
* BindleStick: In "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo", the "Earl of Peoria" is mentioned as carrying a bindle stick. Later, when Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, Mr. Conklin, and Mrs. Davis [[ItMakesSenseInContext masquerade as hobos in order to apprehend the titular hobo]], they also have bindle sticks in their gear.
* BirthdayEpisode / BirthdayPartyGoesWrong: A mild example is the episode "The Birthday Bag" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of the radio episode "The Surprise Party"). The Conklins are throwing Miss Brooks a surprise birthday party at six o'clock, however, she visits the Conklins to try and buy a purse from Harriet at five o'clock. As a result, when Miss Brooks' friends arrive at the house to help setup the party, they each exclaim "MISS BROOKS!"
--> '''Miss Brooks''': If anyone says Miss Brooks once more, I'm going to change my name to Elsie Pumpernickel!
** While the surprise was partially ruined, the party eventually goes off well with everyone giving Miss Brooks her present, and singing Happy Birthday!
* BlackComedyBurst: At the crisis point in [[TheMovie the theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], a depressed Miss Brooks jokes about playing Russian Roulette.
* {{Blackmail}}: In "Threat to Abolish Football", Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass derail Mr. Conklin's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin threat to abolish football]] through blackmail. Mr. Conklin had been using the school shop class to fix his roof, an act that could get him fired. Mr. Conklin relents and allows football to continue at Madison High School. However, Mr. Conklin gets the last laugh. He arm-twists Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton into shingling his roof.
* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: In the episode "Mr. Boynton's Barbeque", Mr. Boynton prepares a "mild" hot sauce for his cookout as he believes his usual sauce would be too much for his guests. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks and Walter Denton cook up a blazing mixture of tabasco and horseradish to spring on Miss Brooks' rival Miss Enright. However, a mix-up results in Miss Brooks receiving her own doctored dish. No matter, Miss Brooks can hold her hot sauce. She eats calmly and remains a DeadpanSnarker throughout. The same can't be said of Miss Enright and Mr. Conklin. They eat Mr. Boynton's supposedly minor sauce and run away practically screaming for water!]]
* BlindingCameraFlash: The obnoxious reporter in "The Model Teacher" subjects Miss Brooks to several.
* BlindWithoutEm: Mr. Conklin and Mrs. Davis. Mr. Conklin suffers this trope with a vengeance in "Living Statues" and "Cure That Habit".
* {{Blipvert}}: In "The Auction", Miss Brooks suggests a blipvert to cheaply advertize a charity auction at Madison High School:
-->'''Mr. Conlin''': Miss Brooks, do you have any idea how much a thirty second spot announcement costs?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Well, we don't have to buy thirty seconds. We can buy about five, and say something quick, like "Today. Auction. Madison High School."
-->'''Harriet Conklin''': But Miss Brooks. That sounds like we're auctioning off the school.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker Is that bad?]]. I mean, if the object is just to lure people over . . . .
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Any '''feasible''' suggestions?
* BluffWorkedTooWell: In "Do-It-Yourself". Miss Brooks wants to borrow Mr. Conklin's tools to build herself a night-table . . . unfortunately, Mr. Conklin won't lend his tools to amateurs. Walter Denton "helps" Miss Brooks by describing her as an expert carpenter, who even built her landlady, Mrs. Davis, a gazebo in the backyard. Mr. Conklin, instead of lending Miss Brooks his tools, decides to have Miss Brooks build him a new garage.
* BluntMetaphorsTrauma: Stretch Snodgrass is prone to this, along with his generally mangled grammar. For example, he once says "let's put all of our heads together". Another time ("Two Way Stretch Snodgrass") he mentions having a "king in his lingament".
* BookSmart: Harriet Conklin, usually scoring marks in the 90% range. In the episode "The English Test", a whole row of students tries to copy off her! In contrast, her LoveInterest Walter Denton is a shrewd HighSchoolHustler but very much in the BookDumb category.
* {{Bookworm}}: Mr. Boynton. In "Bones, Son of Cyrano", Mr. Boynton goes so far as to break a date with Miss Brooks so he can finish ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac''.
* BornInTheSaddle: Tex Barton, a teenaged cowboy who makes a few radio appearances.
* TheBoxingEpisode: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Walter vs. Stretch Grudge Match" concludes with a boxing match between Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass.]]. Miss Brooks is the ringside announcer, and Mr. Conklin is the referee.
* BrainsAndBrawn: Generally describes the friendship between HighSchoolHustler Walter Denton and his best friend, DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass. Sometimes applies to Stretch's [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute brother]] Bones as well. In the two different radio episodes titled "The Moving Van", the two teenage pals go into the moving business. Walter outright states that he's the brains of the operation. In one version, "Stretch" is the brawn. In the other, "Bones.
* BriefAccentImitation: In "The Miserable Cabelleros", Miss Brooks briefly imitates her eleven-year-old friend Benny Romero's accent. Once as a light joke, and the second time to test Mr. Conklin's resolve in sending the boy home to his uncle.
* BritishStuffiness: The very British public school headmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips." While quintessentially British, he's a youngish man who gets around fairly well with everyone at Madison. Mr. Conklin, interesting enough, was expecting a much stricter man and had even dictated that Miss Brooks (and the rest of the faculty) wear funereal black so as not to hurt his sensibilities.
* BrokenGlassPenalty: Completely subverted in the episode "Two Way Stretch". Mr. Conklin begins to reprimand [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]] for kicking a football through the window of his inner office:
-->'''Mr. Conklin:''' I thought I told you to confine your practicing to the other end of the field.\\
'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' But I did Mr. Conklin. That's where I kicked it from.\\
'''Mr. Conklin:''' Well, there's actually no excuse in the world for you to... nice kick boy!
* BuffySpeak: Teenage Walter Denton, although a great one for SesquipedalianLoquaciousness, sometimes mixes advanced vocabulary, current slang and awkward phrasing. The following example is a petition he writes for the episode "Cafeteria Boycott". Note the oddball combination of 50's slang, extensive "borrowing" from the Declaration of Independence, and assorted legalese:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Whereas and to wit--\\
'''Miss Brooks''': [[RedScare That's pretty strong language, isn't it? A little on the pink side.]]\\
'''Harriet Conklin''': Listen, Miss Brooks.\\
'''Walter Denton''': When in the course of student's events, it becomes necessary to turn one's back on one's stomach, we the undersigned, exercising our constitutional right to peaceably assemble, and to form a committee to seek the redress of grievances, do hereby announce our firm intention of the Madison High School Cafeteria only to use the tables, chairs, water, napkins and toothpicks provided therein. Until such a time that the duly appointed party or parties, namely Mr. Osgood Conklin, principal, or the Board of Education, responsible for the operational bog-down that has befallen this installation, do take such action that will improve the food, lower the prices and better the service in said cafeteria. It is also recommended the person, or persons, in whom this authority is vested, immediately see that the present chef in charge of preparing the food, and without any further frippery or fanfare, chuck him the heck off the premises. Well, Miss Brooks, what do you think of it?\\
'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker How much do you want for the picture rights]]?
* BuriedTreasure: The promise of a large reward sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton search for a lost Indian Burial Ground in the episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Indian Burial Ground"]].
* BusmansVocabulary: Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Miss Enright are erudite on and off the job.
* CallOfTheWildBlueYonder: At the beginning of "Surprise Party", Miss Brooks dreams about literally flying away with Mr. Boynton:
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': [[PurpleProse Ah, my darling Constance! You're so lovely! So desirable! I feel I could fly on the wings of our love! Won't you join me Constance, on a flight to paradise?]]
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker Contact!]]
* {{Calvinball}}: In the episode "Parlor Game", Miss Brooks invents a convoluted parlor game in order to annoy Mr. Conklin and, in so doing, convince him to allow his family to go out for the evening.
* TheCameo: Desi Arnaz makes a brief appearance in "King and Brooks".
* CaptiveAudience: Anytime there's a school event or assembly, Mr. Conklin makes it mandatory for students and teachers to attend. The fact the event is happening outside school hours is rarely an excuse, especially for Miss Brooks.
* CannotTellAJoke: Mr. Boynton is rarely if ever able to tell a joke in a way that would be funny. The humor comes from the lameness of his attempt, and Miss Brooks' [[DeadpanSnarker response]] - [[OfficialCouple although, Miss Brooks once mentions she loves this corniness.]]
* CanonDiscontinuity: Due to ExecutiveMeddling, the final season of the TV series had Madison High torn down for a freeway, and Miss Brooks sent off to teach at a L.A. private elementary school. The radio series ignored this development, and continued at Madison High as per usual. When [[TheMovie the cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]] was released the following winter, it also ignored the final TV season. [[spoiler: At the end of the movie, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton marry and live HappilyEverAfter.]]
* CanonForeigner: LonelyRichKid Gary Nolan and his neglectful father, Lawrence Nolan, only appear in TheMovie GrandFinale. The resentful and neglected Gary provides Miss Brooks with a student to tutor to show just how good a teacher she is. Lawrence Nolan becomes a DisposableLoveInterest, he provides a good dose of jealousy that shakes Miss Brooks' longtime LoveInterest Mr. Boynton into action. He finally gives Miss Brooks a BigDamnKiss, they move onto FirstNameBasis, and (through some last minute scheming by Miss Brooks' landlady Mrs. Davis) Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks at last get married.
* CareerVersusMan:
** In a few episodes, Miss Brooks' intention is said to be to retire from teaching and raise a family after she's married(i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton"). This is in spite of the fact she is a good teacher, dreamed of being one since childhood (i.e "Here is Your Past") and (mostly) enjoys it. It's just that being a full-time wife and mother seems to be part of Miss Brooks' SeriesGoal after marrying Mr. Boynton.
** It's unclear if Miss Brooks would even be able to continue on at Madison High School after her marriage, should she want to. The program ran from 1948-1956 at a time of different societal expectations. In an early radio episode, "Head of the English Department", the departing woman in the position retires when she's going to have a baby. On the other hand, in "Aunt Mattie Boynton", Mr. Boynton talks with reverence about his aunt who taught several subjects at school ''and'' took care of her husband and nine children. So it may be a matter of preference.
** In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton and "June Bride" Mr. Conklin is afraid that Miss Brooks will immediately quit her job upon marrying. This would cause him the trouble of having to promptly look for a replacement teacher. Miss Brooks' retirement from teaching is assumed by Mr. Boynton when he's finally ready to propose in the TheMovie GrandFinale. Boynton is saving his money so he'll be able to support the a wife. Although Connie Brooks and Phillip Boynton marry at the end of TheMovie. However, it's never mentioned if Miss Brooks retires from teaching immediately, or waits until their first child to be housewife full-time.
* CaretakerReversal: A CaretakerReversal ''revolving door'', in "Old Age Plan."
** The story begins with Mrs. Davis having cared for her sister Angela, and falling ill from Angela's complaining. By the end of the episode, Mrs. Davis has recovered and Angela has again become ill from Mrs. Davis' complaining.
** ''Meanwhile'', Miss Brooks had spent the episode shilling Mrs. Davis and Angela's club's old age plan to Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin. The two men end up suffering psychosomatic symptoms of old age.
** Miss Brooks decides to invite them over to Mrs. Davis' house, and fake the symptoms of old age to distract Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin from their symptoms. The climax of the episode has Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin rapidly experiencing illness and being placed on the sofa with a blanket and ice pack in turn.
* CarryingACake: Several episodes see Miss Brooks accidentally collide with Mr. Conklin, lunch in hand.
* CatchPhrase: Walter's "Hiya, Miss Brooks!", Conklin's "...now GO" when trying to get rid of someone.
* CatchYourDeathOfCold: The trope appears in any episode where Mr. Conklin is being particularly stingy in maintaining the school's heat; most notably "Blue Goldfish".
* CatsAreLazy: Minerva, Mrs. Davis' pet cat, has her moments:
** In "The Frog", Minerva spends all day sleeping inside the piano.
** In "The Magic Tree", Minerva gets drunk sipping on pine needles. She then spends hours sleeping in Miss Brooks' lap as they rock in a chair:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Jingle Bells!
--> Jingle Bells!
--> Merry stuff like that!
--> Oh what fun it is to rock!
--> With a big fat drunken cat!
* ChainOfDeals: In "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud", Miss Brooks sets up a chain of deals to get a new coat. Unfortunately, Chief Thundercloud cuts in and ruins her scheme . . . that is, until it turns out the patient and longsuffering Mrs. Thundercloud demands the chief get her a housecoat from Miss Brooks.
-->'''Chief Thundercloud:''' Squaw, be quiet!
* ChaosArchitecture: In the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], most of the Warner Brother's sets are ''similar'' to those previously used on the Desilu produced television episodes. The sets are, however, more elaborate as befitting the concluding film's theatrical release. The one major difference is Mr. Boynton's biology lab. Shown previously as essentially a small office with some cages and posters, it is seen as an enormous darkened classroom with ''many'' cages and aquariums.
* CharacterNarrator: After a brief introduction by the announcer, Miss Brooks provides her own brief introduction and a few lines of narration after sponsor breaks or sets up the scene for the episode. This is mostly confined to the radio, however Miss Brooks occasionally provides narration on television as well. Most notably "Who's Who" in the fourth season.
* CharacterTitle: The show's named for Constance (Connie) Brooks of course!
* ChattyHairdresser: Antoine, who runs a beauty saloon in the episode ''The Hair-do''. He admits to Miss Brooks that he doesn't like Miss Enright, though she sends him many customers. Later, Miss Enright leans on him to give Miss Brooks a funny hair treatment. The character is played by character actor Frank Nelson, in much the same way as Frank Nelson played opposite Jack Benny.
* CheapCostume: "Halloween Party" sees Walter Denton dress up as a BedsheetGhost. Meanwhile, Mr. Boynton puts together a skeleton costume, Stretch Snodgrass disguises himself as Hopalong Cassidy, and Miss Brooks announces her intention to masquerade as a witch.
* ChekhovsGun: Phone booths play a key role in a couple episodes:
** In "Key to the School", Mr. Conkin and Miss Brooks use the phone booth at Marty's Malt Shop to place a call to board superintendent Mr. Stone, after everybody is locked out of Madison High.
** In "Monsieur [=LeBlanc=]", Walter Denton calls Mrs. Davis' house from a phone booth pretending to be a Spaniard interested in purchasing Mr. Conklin's car.
* ChewingTheScenery: Principal Osgood Conklin is a very pompous man. Played by the great Gale Gordon, Mr. Conklin's especially over-the-top when he's angry or excited.
* ChineseLaborer: In "Two Way Stretch", in order to save a FawltyTowersPlot from going off the rails, Miss Brooks pretends to be secretly married to Mr. Conklin. She claims the reason the marriage was secret was that she entered the country illegally in company with "Oriental labourers". It MakesSenseInContext.
* ChocolateFrostedSugarBombs: Mrs. Davis refers to the noisy crackling of most cereals in one episode, when she makes Miss Brooks a bowl of sugar coated pine needles as a "quiet" alternative.
* ChristmasCarolers: "The Magic Christmas Tree": When the Conklins, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton pay Miss Brooks a visit on Christmas Eve, they regale her with a rendition of "Deck The Halls". [[spoiler: Miss Brooks places her hand over Walter's mouth midway through, to stop his off-key adolescent squeaking.]]
* ChristmasEpisode: Several; i.e. "Christmas Gift Mix-up", "Christmas Show", "Department Store Contest", "The Magic Tree".
* ChristmasInJuly
** In the episode "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None", Mrs. Davis' hypochondriac sister Angela pretends to be dying. Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton throw her an early Christmas, Angela's favorite holiday.
** In the radio episode "The Telegram", Mrs. Davis' Uncle Corky sends a telegram giving notice that he'll be visiting for a week. A series of missteps leads to the telegram being partially burned, and interpreted as Uncle Corky saying he has a week to live. Miss Brooks, Mrs. Davis, the Conklins and Walter Denton throw Uncle Corky a Christmas party in July.
* ChronicallyCrashedCar: In early radio episodes, Miss Brooks' is frequently getting into car accidents. By the time the show began broadcasting on television, this becomes far more rare. However, in "Trial by Jury" and "Miss Brooks' New Car", HilarityEnsues after collisions with a fruit stand.
* ClassTrip: In the episode "Heat Wave", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton each try to win permission to take their respective classes to Fisher's Farm. Fisher's Farm just happens to be the location of "the ol' swimming hole" (everyone's wearing their bathing suit under their regular clothing). Mr. Boynton gets ultimately permission to take his biology class down; Miss Brooks needs to rely on LoopholeAbuse to join the others.
* ClassyCane:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Mr. Boynton tells Miss Brooks he's considering buying a cane to invoke this trope.
** In "Blind Date", Mr. Boynton carries a classy cane so his blind date will recognize him; he had broken up with Miss Brooks after an argument. Unbeknownst to Boynton (and Miss Brooks), the blind date was scheme to get the two back together, and Boynton's date ''is'' Miss Brooks. Mr. Conklin, in a case of ExactEavesdropping, overhears Boynton's blind date calling on the phone (actually his daughter, Harriet, speaking with a Southern accent). Conklin and mistakes it for an old college flame, Lula May Calhoun, whom Conklins wants out of town and away from his wife. Mr. Conklin shows up with cane in hand to beg her to leave; again, it's ''actually'' Miss Brooks, carrying a parasol.
* CleanPrettyChildbirth: In "The Egg", when the chick hatches it hatches completely dry. In reality, the newly-hatched chicken would have been wet and taken some time to dry off.
* ClothingSwitch: In "Madison Country Club", Miss Brooks spills breakfast on her dress. She borrows a dress belonging to her elderly landlady Mrs. Davis. A kind gesture by Mrs. Davis, but Miss Brooks ends up going to school looking absurd. HilarityEnsues.
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Mrs. Davis. She sometimes forgets what she's saying in the middle of a sentence.
* ClownCarBase: The episode "Oo-Me-Me Tocoludi Gucci Moo Moo" has the gang squeeze into a tiny trailer.
* CluelessChickMagnet: Mr. Boynton, by way of a combination of ObliviousToLove and bashfulness. He's the object of Miss Brooks' affection. And Miss Enright's. And an obnoxious reporter for SNAP magazine in the "Model Teacher". And the newly hired biology teacher in "Life Can Be Bones". And a Phys. Ed. teacher in "Connie and Frankie" . . . . Miss Brooks finally gets her man in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] GrandFinale.
* ColdSnap: A few episodes of ''Our Miss Brooks depend on winter weather for their humor.
** "Blue Goldfish" sees Mr. Conklin very miserly with the furnaces' coal supply, thus keeping Madison High School cold ''inside'' during the winter weather. This was a [[SoundToScreenAdaptation television remake]] of the radio episode "Lack of Coal at Madison".
** "Going Skiing", a radio episode, sees Miss Brooks go skiing with Mr. Boynton. HilarityEnsues when Miss Brooks uses Walter Denton's new ski-fasteners.
** "Winter Outing", another radio episode, sees Madison High's faculty and students continue a tradition started by school founder, Yodar Kritch. A winter picnic in frosty Kritch Canyon .
* ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere: In "Connie Tries To Forget Mr. Boynton", [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin when Connie tries to forget Mr. Boynton]], every stranger she meets looks and sounds like Mr. Boynton. The "Misters Boynton" Miss Brooks meet include, but aren't limited to, the American Ambassador to India, an elderly postman, a matron, a fourteen year old boy and a newborn baby. [[spoiler: Fortunately, it's AllJustADream.]]
* CollaredByFashion:
** Walter Denton wears a large frilled collar when he dresses as Romeo for "The Festival".
** Mr. Boynton wears a Sir Walter Raleigh costume with a frilled collar in "Madison Country Club". Mr. Boynton again affects a frilled collar when he dresses as Prince Charming for the masquerade ball in "Oh Dem Gold Shoes".
* ComedicSpanking: Mike and Danny's fate in "Orphan Twins". Let's say they had it coming.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oh, isn't that cute? They stopped on the front lawn, and Sergeant Gillis just lifted Danny up and put him across his knees.
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': Across his knees?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Yes. Now the sergeant's raising his hand, now the hand's coming down. Well, what do you know?
--> '''Mr. Boynton''': What is it Miss Brooks?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': At last those big tears are for real!
* ComicallyIneptHealing: In "First Air Course", Miss Brooks purposely invokes this trope to avoid teaching the eponymous program.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: This happens quite often:
** Almost any time Miss Brooks suggests anything romance-related to ObliviousToLove Mr. Boynton:
--->'''Miss Brooks:''' In these boyhood fights, Mr. Boynton, was there any girls involved?\\
'''Mr. Boynton:''' Gosh, no, Miss Brooks. I wouldn't hit a girl.\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' [[SarcasmMode Well, bravo for you]].
** Any time Miss Brooks tries to correct Stretch or Bones Snodgrass' grammar:
--->'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' Miss Brooks, you done it again.\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' Please Stretch, I did it again.\\
'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' I don't blame you for bragging.
** Many other occasions as well. For example, this exchange with Walter Denton:
--->'''Miss Brooks:''' Walter, George Eliot was not a gentleman.\\
'''Walter Denton:''' He may have not been a gentleman, but he was a darned good writer.
* ComicalOverreacting: Mr. Conklin, portrayed by Gale Gordon, will start yelling at the drop of a hat.
** In "Radio Bombay", Miss Brooks mistakenly thinks a hurricane is heading to Madison and dismisses school in Mr. Conklin's absence. When Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Harriet Conklin and Walter Denton go to his house, it is his daughter Harriet goes to tell him the news. Walter listens at the door in an adjoining room, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton listen from further away. His yelling causes Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to try and make an exit, while Walter Denton falls on the floor.
** Humorously subverted in the radio episode "Friday The Thirteenth". Mr. Conklin, the repeated victim of Miss Brooks' episode-specific klutziness, remarks that losing one's temper "displays ill breeding". He goes to his closet and shouts privately, but loudly enough to be easily overheard by Miss Brooks.
* ComicBookAdaptation: Dell adapted the movie into comic book form.
* CommitmentIssues: Part of Miss Brooks' troubles [[WithThisRing in getting Mr. Boynton to propose arise from commitment issues]], coupled with his innate shyness.
** This was made especially clear in the episodes "Hello, Mr. Chips" and "24 Hours". Specifically, in "Hello Mr. Chips" Miss Brooks hears that Mr. Boynton has been saying a man should only get married when he's too old to do anything else. Miss Brooks punishes him by treating him as an old man that evening when he comes to dinner.
** When Miss Brooks gets Mr. Boynton to take her to a friends' wedding in "Old Age Plan", Mr. Boynton tries to back out of the date (finally) anticipating that Miss Brooks will want to get married herself.
** Part of this may be hereditary influence, as in "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Mr. Boynton remarks that his father and mother went together for eight years until they were married.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton himself is finally getting ready for commitment. He, up to now, ObliviousToLove, discusses with Miss Brooks the "good, old biological feeling" of being ready to marry and start a family. Miss Brooks, who decided [[LoveAtFirstSight she wanted to marry Mr. Boynton on their first meeting]], remarks that's [[DeadpanSnarker she's way ahead of him.]]. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton get married at the end of the movie.]]
* CompeteForTheMaidensHand: In "The Grudge Match", Walter Denton challenges Stretch Snodgrass to a fight for Harriet Conklin's love. The two end up boxing in a temporary ring setup in the Madison High School gymnasium.
* ConflictingLoyalties:
** In "The Big Game", Miss Brooks wants to maintain academic standards . . . but give long-ago Madison football hero Gus Geary his diploma so he can remain Assistant Coach. Miss Brooks [[LoopholeAbuse relies on a loophole]] to [[TakeAThirdOption evade the tricky ethical dilemma]].
** Again, in "The Yodar Kritch Award", Miss Brooks relies upon LoopholeAbuse to give [[DumbJock Bones Snodgrass]] the eponymous award.
* ConspicuousConsumption: In "Madison Country Club", Miss Brooks brags about how much she spends on travel, food, champagne and clothes to society matron Mrs. Grabar. Miss Brooks thinks that Mr. Conklin is poking fun of the faculty; in reality Conklin was soliciting a donation from the wealthy philanthropist.
* ConspicuousTrenchcoat: When Miss Brooks attempts to track down a missing postman in ''Postage Due'', she wears a trenchcoat like any proper amateur detective.
* ContinuityReboot: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] fell in with the regular continuity of both the radio and television versions of the series. However, it was a partial reboot as it erased the events of the final television season (which featured Miss Brooks working at a private elementary school in California, a plot development '''not''' occurring in the concurrent radio series). The movie began by retelling Miss Brooks' initial arrival in Madison. On the other hand, the characters (and actors!) were the same as on the radio and television series and there were many continuity nods throughout the film. [[spoiler: The movie ends with Miss Brooks achieving her SeriesGoal, marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* ContrivedCoincidence:
** Many of the show's plots and misunderstandings heavily relied upon this trope. For example, several plots involved Brooks, Boynton, and Conklin conveniently becoming involved in the exact same scheme and not realizing the others are involved too . . . that is until the end of the episode. Other episodes would have Miss Brooks learning some piece of misinformation from Mrs. Davis that would conveniently affect Mr. Conklin's plans later that exact same day.
** In "Poison Ivy", Miss Brooks tells off an obnoxious man who is tying up Mrs. Davis' party line. Later, Miss Brooks and Walter Denton nearly run over an obnoxious jaywalking woman on their drive to school. Unhappily, Mr. Conklin soon informs Miss Brooks that said obnoxious man and woman are important state officials who have the power to fire Mr. Conklin or Miss Brooks on the spot!
* ContrastingReplacementCharacter: In the fourth television season of the series, Miss Brooks receives two successive love interests; Clint Albright and Gene Talbot. For a few episodes, Miss Brooks is pursued by Clint Albright; for about half a season, it's Gene Talbot. Miss Brooks' love interest on the radio and TV up to this point had been Mr. Boynton [[spoiler: Miss Brooks marries Mr. Boynton at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale]] ; notable for being shy and oblivious. In direct contrast, the gym teachers Clint Albright and Gene Talbot are much more aggressive. Albright flirts with Miss Brooks immediately on seeing her, soon catching Miss Brooks under mistletoe and forcing a kiss on her. Talbot calls Miss Brooks honey, and by the end of his tenure Connie's furious at him for taking her up to the Hollywood Hills on dates . . . late into the night. As to the gym teachers' reception by fans, by the end of the season, TheBusCameBack with Mr. Boynton aboard.
* ConvectionSchmonvection: In "Public Property on Parade", nobody so much as breaks a sweat when standing next to Madison High School's coal fired boiler.
* ConvenientlyInterruptedDocument:
** "Madison Mascot": Mr. Conklin's letter telling Miss Brooks to get him an elephant bookend is torn. Miss Brooks is forced into the conclusion that Mr. Conklin wants her to get him an elephant. ItMakesSenseInContext.
** In "The Telegram", the eponymous telegram catches fire. As a result, half the message from Mrs. Davis' Uncle Corky gets destroyed. What little's left causes everybody believes that Mrs. Davis' uncle only has a week left to live. Again, ItMakesSenseInContext.
* ConvenientlySeated: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] has possibly the only scene of the series where Miss Brooks is '''shown''' teaching a full class (as compared to being heard teaching a class on the radio, or tutoring a student or students). Miss Brooks is in front, teaching the class. Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin have seats in the back; all the better for Walter can tell Harriet about his car troubles and invite her to lunch. [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]] is right in the middle, so he can stand up to answer a question on double-negatives spectacularly wrong. Finally, Gary Nolan is in front, so after class Miss Brooks can upbraid him for his failing the English test.
* CookingDuel: In "Miss Enright's Dinner", Miss Brooks duels with Miss Enright for Mr. Boynton's affections by preparing recipes pinned up by the school's home economics teacher. Unfortunately, unknown to Miss Brooks, the recipe for Irish Stew on the board is a prank one Walter Denton pinned up to trick Miss Enright.
* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: When Miss Brooks accidentally derails Mr. Conklin's promotion in "Rumors", Mr. Conklin punishes Miss Brooks by forcing her to do his family's laundry.
* CoolKey: In "Key to the School", Miss Brooks is given the key to the school by the custodian. HilarityEnsues when Mrs. Davis takes the key with her on a visit to her brother Victor, leaving students and faculty alike locked out of Madison High School.
* CoolOldGuy: In "The Big Game", Gus "Snakehips" Geary, who's still admired as Madison High School's greatest football star decades after he graduated.
* CoordinatedClothes:
** In "The Festival", Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin attend the titular festival as Romeo and Juliet.
** "Red River Valley" sees Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin dress as hillbillies to audition for Deacon Jones' Square Dance troop.
** In "Amalgamation", Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Munsee and Mr. Talbot dress as ''Dutch Vaudeville comedians'' to annoy Mrs. Pryor. ItMakesSenseInContext.
* CopycatMockery: Miss Brooks has learned to expect Mr. Conklin's typical DelayedReaction when he is surprised by anything angering or distasteful. A couple of times, she mimics his exclamation ''and expression'' when it finally comes along. A good example is in the episode "Cure That Habit". On radio episodes, being an audio medium, Miss Brooks sometimes just copies the inevitable shout.
* CordonBleughChef: Mrs. Davis is creative with her recipes.
* CosmopolitanCouncil: In the episode "Foreign Teachers", educational officials from France, Ireland and Sweden visit Madison High School. They turn out to be so insulting that Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin throw them out. Unfortunately, this gets Miss Brooks and company in trouble with the head of the National Board of Education . . . .
* TheCouch: Mrs. Davis' living room has a couch, under a window and to the left of the fireplace. It's always facing the fourth wall, as the show was shot using the three camera configuration. It's none too prominent, as Mrs. Davis (and therefore Miss Brooks) doesn't have a television set. Much of the talking and action usually takes place in front of it. However, there are exceptions, notably "Old Age Plan".
* CounterZany: Happens occasionally. In "Twins at School", after discovering Connie has been impersonating her non-existent identical twin Bonnie, Mr. Conklin invents a non-existent identical twin of his own. Complete with cowboy accent.
* {{Courier}}: The bicycle-riding telegram delivery boy, in "Telegram for Mrs. Davis". HilarityEnsues when Mrs. Davis is too superstitious to open the telegram, or allow Miss Brooks to open the telegram on her behalf. The boy won't leave until he gets the requested reply . . . .
* CourtroomEpisode: "Trial by Jury" sees Miss Brooks defend herself in court for "speeding, going through a red light, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk and hitting a fruit stand." The episode was a remake of "Reckless Driving" which played on the radio.
* CoveredInGunge: In "Vitamin E-4", a conman named Professor Anderson tricks Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin into working for in the manufacture and promotion of the titular "vitamin". Unbenowngst to the three, Professor Anderson is really a conman who ''modus operandi'' includes tricking well-educated teachers to win over the general public. The episode ends with Brooks, Boynton and Conklin manufacturing the vitamin according to the recorded directions of Anderson. It doesn't go so well; Mr. Conklin ends up having the ingredients of the titular "vitamin" thrown, poured or falling over him. Incidentally, the main ingredient of Vitamin E-4 is ''chicken fat''!
* CovertGroup: Miss Brooks becomes involved in secret activity a few times through the course of the series. One of the most memorable was in "Red River Valley", where Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton meet secretly to rehearse for a job with the hillbilly troupe led by Deacon Jones.
* {{Cowboy}}: Tex Barton, a stereotypical teenaged cowboy, is a Madison High School student in a few episodes i.e. "School T.V. Set", "Bargain Hats for Mother's Day," "Tex Barton Basketball Star."
* CramSchool: In "The Yodar Kritch Award", a time-pressed Miss Brooks tries this approach with Bones Snodgrass. [[spoiler: It fails miserably.]]
* CrankyNeighbor: In "Mr. Travis' Three Acre Lot", Mr. Travis, a [[TheScrooge cheap, hostile businessman]], consistently refuses to sell his lot and finally let Madison High School have a regulation-size gridiron.
* CrazyJealousGuy: Mr. Boynton is usually even-headed, but on occasion can be crazy jealous when provoked. In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Miss Brooks spending time with millionaire Gary Nolan sees him turn crazy jealous (with a little prodding from Mrs. Davis).
* CrustyCaretaker: In "The Loaded Custodians", Mr. Barlow is portrayed as a rather crusty old man. Averted with the previous custodian, the [[LiteralMinded literal- minded]] Mr. Jensen.
* CryLaughing: It happens to Miss Brooks at the end of "Hobby Show", where she's about to suffer a nervous breakdown. Afraid that she is overworking herself, Miss Brooks' friends visit encouraging her to start a hobby. Unfortunately, Miss Brooks is expected to knit (Mrs. Davis' hobby), play chess (Mr. Boynton's hobby), run model trains (Walter Denton's), finger-paint (Harriet Conklin) and fix broken toys to give to underprivileged children (Mr. and Mrs. Conklin) . . . ''all at the same time''. The [[SoundToScreenAdaptation radio original]] featured the same gag, although there Walter and Harriet's hobbies were the less-visually interesting [[PragmaticAdaptation stamp-collecting and crossword puzzle solving, respectively]].
* CuckoolanderCommentator: In "Walter vs. Stretch Grudge Match", Miss Brooks deliberately invokes the trope when she's assigned to do the play-by-play commentary for the titular boxing match between the teenage combatants:
--->'''Miss Brooks''': As the fighters go to the center of the ring, just a word of reminder. Boys, if like Walter Denton, you're about to get your head knocked off, why not put an Adam Pat on it first? And now let's listen to the referees' instructions . . .
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': Marquis of Queensberry rules. I am here for one reason and one reason only. To see that fair play is strictly observed. You will at all times be honestly and impartially judged. Now, then, Stretch?
--->'''Stretch Snodgrass''': Yes, Mr. Conklin?
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': I want you to be sure to go a neutral corner every time Denton is on the floor. You Denton?
--->'''Walter Denton''': Yes, sir?
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': Where do you want your body . . . oh, well, I . . . Now then you two, I want a good clean fight and may the better man win. And win quickly, Stretch. Go to your corners, come out fighting.
--->'''Miss Brooks''': There goes the bell, folks. Oh, Walter's down, fell over his shoelace. Now it's tied, and the two men meet in the centre of the ring. They're cautious at first, Walter is dancing lightly around, left arm extended. Stretch is dancing around. Now they're dancing around together. Mr. Conklin breaks them, and once again they circle around carefully. Now here it is, the first exchange . . . .
* TheCuckoolanderWasRight: Miss Brooks' wacky landlady, Mrs. Davis, often gives good advice. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale she plays a critical role in Miss Brooks' finally marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* CuriosityIsACrapshoot: Curiosity is definitely bad in the episode "Sneaky Peepers". When Miss Brooks accidentally orders a copy of Rodin's "The Kiss" instead of "The Thinker" for Madison High School. Mr. Conklin orders the offending statue covered up until it can be returned. After Mr. Conklin falsely accuses Walter Denton of looking at the statue, Denton decides to setup a trapdoor to catch the actual culprit. Lo and behold, Walter Denton, Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conlin and Head of the School Board Mr. Stone end up falling through the trapdoor and locked in a storage room in the basement.
* CurseCutShort: One episode features this exchange between Miss Brooks and Walter Denton:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Mr. Conklin's making my usual tranquil life a veritable . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': WALTER!
-->'''Walter Denton''': . . . (''meekly'') inferno?
* CurtainCamouflage: Twice, behind the same set of curtains no less:
** In "First Day", Walter Denton tries to avoid Mr. Conklin by hiding behind the curtains in Mrs. Davis' living room.
** In "Madame Brooks Du Barry" Mr. Conklin and Harriet hide behind the curtains and spy on Miss Brooks.
* CuteClumsyGirl: Miss Brooks sometimes finds herself playing to this trope, usually around Mr. Conklin.
** Occasionally, Miss Brooks finds herself breaking his glasses, i.e. "Living Statues".
** Her clumsiness might have reached its nadir in the episode "Home Cooked Meal". There, she unwittingly causes Mr. Conklin to be locked in a freezer before accidentally contributing to his attending a ''minor'' gas explosion.
** Miss Brooks' clumsiness again strikes Mr. Conklin in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale.]] Miss Brooks' arrival at Madison is portrayed at the beginning of the movie, when she makes a unique first impression on Mr. Conklin by accidentally dropping a dumbbell on his foot.
* CuttingCorners: Mr. Conklin periodically subjects Madison High School to economy drives. One such drive occurs in the episode "Blue Goldfish", where Conklin's miserly apportionment of coal causes the school to feel like a refrigerator.
* DaddysGirl: Harriet Conklin is close to her father. She can often be seen in his office helping him out.
* DaEditor:
** In "Cafeteria Boycott", Miss Brooks describes the school food as putrid. Unfortunately, she unknowingly does so in front of the local newspaper editor. Neither particularly gruff or authoritarian (except when confronting Mr. Conklin), the editor becomes a problem for Miss Brooks notwithstanding.
** Lawrence Nolan, in TheMovie GrandFinale. He's authoritarian, but being something of the local plutocrat, he's more of a stuffed shirt rather than stereotypically gruff.
* [[DamnedByFaintPraise Darned By Faint Praise]]: A ''Snap'' magazine reporter "compliments" Miss Brooks' clothes: "That's a very nice suit...One can tell at a glance that it's worn you for years."
* [[DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster Darn It Feels Good To Be A Gangster]]: In "Sunnydale Finishing School", Miss Brooks receives a letter offering her a position at the eponymous school. Walter Denton, utilizing a ZanyScheme, ''pretends'' to fall victim to this trope and begins acting like a mobster while speaking in a blizzard of hard-boiled slang.
* DamselOutOfDistress
** Miss Brooks, when trapped in an industrial freezer with Walter Denton, Philip Boynton and Osgood Conklin in "Male Superiority". The three males panic while Miss Brooks stays calm. An example of LaserGuidedKarma and HypocriticalHumor, as all three had lectured Miss Brooks on a man's ability to stay calm during an emergency.
** In its SpiritualSuccessor, "The Big Jump", Boynton and Conklin similarly panic when a prank by Walter makes it appear the school is on fire. Again, Mr. Boynton had been claiming men were calmer in the event of an emergency.
* DanceOfRomance: In TheMovie GrandFinale, Connie's fantasy includes her dancing with Phillip in their future home.
* DancesAndBalls: Dances drive the plot of a few episodes, as befitting a program whose main setting is Madison High School. Notable examples include "The Yodar Kritch Award" and "Cinderella for a Day".
* TheDandy: Briefly and infuriatingly, Mr. Boynton falls victim to this trop in "Mr. Boynton's Mustache". Miss Brooks had decided to get Mr. Boynton to pay more attention to his appearance, so suggests he grow a mustache and then has the female faculty members compliment him. Thankfully, Mr. Boynton is cured when Miss Brooks gets the Home Economics Class to reward him with their class project . . . a suit made out of an old horse blanket.
* DarkestAfrica:
** In "Safari O'Toole", the eponymous adventurer spends much of his time in the SavageSouth, Africa in particular. [[spoiler: He's a fake, but a nice one, who's only trying to impress Mrs. Davis.]]
** In "The Hawkins Travel Agency", Mr. Stone proposes Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks all accompany him on an African walking tour. He doesn't find any takers.
* DatePeepers:
** In "Madame Brooks Du Barry", Mr. Conklin and his daughter Harriet hide in the back of Mrs. Davis' living room, and spy on Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton as they have a date.
** In "Mrs. Nestor's Boyfriend", Miss Brooks, Mr. Munsee, Mr. Talbot and Mr. Conklin use binoculars to spy on (widowed) Mrs. Nestor's date with her new boyfriend.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Mr. Conklin loathes his daughter's boyfriend, Walter Denton. It isn't uncommon for him to kick Walter down his porch steps. Why? Walter is something of a nuisance to Mr. Conklin, as the episodes "Cure that Habit", "Wild Goose", "Cafeteria Boycott" and "Space, Who Needs It?" attest. However, there are other reasons as well. In "Spare That Rod!", Mr. Conklin complained that the worst thing about Walter was his squeaky voice.
-->'''Miss Brooks:''' I expect it's his age. His voice is probably changing.\\
'''Mr. Conklin:''' Well, I wish it would hurry up. He sounds like a canary with a mouthful of rancid birdseed.
* DavidVsGoliath: In "The Grudge Match", the eponymous boxing match between 5'6'' Walter Denton and 6'5'' three-letter DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass. A different take on the trope, as the teenagers were best friends fighting over a girl. Walter Denton challenged Stretch to the fight, and it was common belief at Madison that he'd be clobbered. [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin, refereeing the match, is struck by mistake.]]
* ADayInTheLimelight: Although Miss Brooks is always the star of her shore, some episodes give lesser characters a major role:
** "Brooks' New Car" features a major role for Mrs. Conklin. Likewise, "Weekend at Crystal Lake".
** "Madison Mascot" and "Stretch to Transfer" are two of several episodes that feature the [[DumbJock student athlete]] in something akin to a starring role.
** "Angela's Wedding", "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None", and "Mr. Casey's Will" feature Mrs. Davis' sister Angela as the episodes mover and shaker.
** "The Egg" has an appearance by Mrs. Davis' usually unseen, only mentioned, brother Victor.
* DeadpanSnarker: Miss Brooks is one of the queens of this trope, as are many of Eve Arden's characters in other works.
* DeathByChildbirth: Lawrence Nolan's wife died giving birth to Gary.
* DeathGlare: When truly angry, Mr. Conklin is known to give a withering stare. Usually, he yells to great effect; but occasionally he has a glare that tends to frighten both faculty, students, and his own daughter. Noteworthy examples occur in "The Novelist", "Spare That Rod!", and "Space, Who Needs It?".
* DecemberDecemberRomance: In "Puppy Love, Mr. Barlow and Mrs. Davis", Mrs. Davis falls in love with the aged school custodian. It leads to FacePalm worthy descriptions of love in old age by callow teenagers Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin.
** Walter described the old folks' romance as follows:
--> '''Walter''': Oh, by the way, how's Mrs. Davis' romance with Mr. Barlow coming along?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oh, have you noticed that, too? I think it's the cutest thing in the world. Mrs. Davis actually has a bad case of puppy love.
--> '''Walter''': It is cute ... considering she's in her second puppyhood. No disrespect intended, you understand. After all, what can be more romantic than two lonely old people encountering the grand passion in the sear and yellow leaf of life.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Why, that's absolutely poetic, Walter.
-->'''Walter''': The burning desires of youth long past, they look now for the subdued glow of companionship. The warm and simple pleasures that two elderly people in love can share together.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker I can see them now - soaking their feet in the same pan of Epsom salts.]]
** Later, Harriet ups the ante:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Hello, Harriet. I've got to deliver a message to the custodian. Have you seen him?
-->'''Harriet''': Oh, yes. Mr. Barlow just went into his office. (''dreamily'') Isn't it wonderful, Miss Brooks?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': I don't know. I've never been in his office.
-->'''Harriet''': I mean about Mr. Barlow and Mrs. Davis. They're crazy about each other. Of course, it's a big secret.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker It couldn't be a bigger secret if they took out an ad.]]
-->'''Harriet''': Is there anything more romantic than the mellow romance of old age?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Now please, Harriet.
-->'''Harriet''': To think of two people finding love at a time of life when others are preparing to pass on. Two people walking hand in hand in the twilight of life.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[SarcasmMode Yes, there's nothing like a brisk walk before passing on.]]
* DeclarativeFinger: The gesture is occasionally used by the pompous Mr. Conklin.
* TheDefroster: Miss Brooks sees it as part of her job to try and defrost troubled students. She's also a generous, kindhearted and [[DeadpanSnarker quick-witted]] individual. Notably, Miss Brooks defrosts Mr. Whipple, TheScrooge in the episode "Mr. Whipple". Later, in TheMovie GrandFinale, she defrosts one of her students, Gary Nolan. For good measure, she defrosts his father, Lawrence Nolan, as well.
* DerailedTrainOfThought: Absent-minded Mrs. Davis often suffers from thought derailment.
* DespairEventHorizon / DespairSpeech: In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]]. After overhearing a conversation at the relator's, Miss Brooks discovers that Mr. Boynton has bought the cottage across the street from Mrs. Davis' house. The conversation suggests that he finally intends to propose. Alas, he bought the house so his widowed mother could move in with him. This comes as a shock to Connie, who had even brought wallpaper over to the cottage to decorate. She's lost in daydreams, when Mr. Boynton comes in relates his plans to live with his mother.
-->'''Connie:''' ''(sobbing)'' Fine schnook I've been! ''(She hands the wall paper to Mr. Boynton)'' Wear it in good health! ''(Connie leaves the cottage, slamming the door behind her.)''
** Miss Brooks goes into a deep depression, offers her resignation and prepares to leave Madison. [[spoiler:Fortunately, the matter is fixed by the good offices of Mrs. Davis and Mr. Boynton's mother. Mrs. Davis tells Mrs. Boynton the situation, and invites her to be her new boarder. Mr. Boynton proposes to Miss Brooks, and everybody lives HappilyEverAfter]].
* DevotedToYou: Miss Brooks is devoted to Mr. Boynton, with Miss Enright often appearing as her rival for his affections. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks wins, finally marrying Mr. Boynton in the cinematic grand finale.]]
* DidntSeeThatComing: This happens several times in ''Our Miss Brooks'', and causes a ZanyScheme or a well-intentioned plan to help someone go awry. A few notable examples:
** In "Head of the Board", Miss Brooks sends Stretch Snodgrass to get an old man from the park to impersonate Mr. Hewitt, the Head of the State Board of Education. Mr. Conklin has ordered Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to help him clean the school the week before the start of term. By a ContrivedCoincidence, Mr. Hewitt happens to be visiting in town, sitting in the park, and chosen by Stretch Snodgrass to impersonate himself. HilarityEnsues, as well as a FawltyTowersPlot.
** In "Red River Valley", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin practice a hillbilly routine to get a $500 a month summer job working with Deacon Jones' square dance troupe. It so happens that Matthew ''Jones'', Inspector from the State Board, chooses that day to visit Madison High School.
** "Fargo Whiskers" sees Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton think Miss Brooks have taken leave of her senses. They wish her to take a week off before another school official; when Miss Brooks refuses, Conklin and Boynton have Walter Denton impersonate the official. Unfortunately, Mr. Fargo arrives a few days early and HilarityEnsues.
* DisastrousDemonstration: Madison High School's attempts to use new technology backfires terribly - usually in front of the head of the school board, Mr. Stone.
** In "The Tape Recorder", [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Walter Denton buys a reel-to-reel tape recorder for the school.]] Unfortunately, when playing back the machine to Head-of the-Board Mr. Stone, the machine garbles its messages. The machine suggesting everyone is insulting or threatening Principal Conklin or Mr. Stone. Also, that Mr. Conklin jumps into Miss Brooks' lap!
** In "Movies at School", Miss Brooks tries to use film as an educational aid. Unfortunately, a disgruntled worker at the film company has switched the films around within their canisters. Miss Brooks, leaving a film of the poem "Lady of the Lake" with her class, instead leaves a poem of "Sirens of the Screen, Past and Present". Mrs. Davis intends to show her Ladies Aid Club "Shearing Sheep at Big Billabong, Australia. The ladies club sees a film with showgirls in their dressing room. When Mr. Stone investigates, Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin intend to show the probity of the school by playing a film about the "Board of Education". Instead, they end up playing a film about gambling in Las Vegas.
* DiscountCard: The episode "Christmas Gift Mixup" features a RunningGag where Mrs. Davis, Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin give Miss Brooks "hints" as to what they'd like for Christmas. They helpfully relay the costs of their gifts, and lend Miss Brooks their "exclusive" savings card that gives sale prices at a local store.
* DisguisedInDrag: In "The Stolen Wardrobe", Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton are falsely accused of robbing Sherry's Department Store. They end up (reluctantly) disguising themselves as women to evade the police.
* DisposingOfABody: In the penultimate radio episode, "New Girl in Town," Harriet Conklin tricks the eponymous "new girl's" mother into believing Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are burying Mr. Boynton's old girlfriends in the athletic field. In reality, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are only burying the bodies of Mr. Boynton's dead lab mice.
* DisproportionateRetribution: In ''Spare That Rod!'', it's mentioned that disproportionate retribution is Mr. Conklin's modus operandi as principal of Madison High School. When Conklin discovers that some students had wrote "Old Man Conklin is a Pinhead" on Miss Brooks' blackboard ''after'' school, he orders ''Miss Brooks'' to inspect and clean ''all'' the blackboards at Madison High School.
* DistinguishedGentlemansPipe: Dell's comic book adaptation of the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] has Mr. Boynton carrying and smoking a pipe.
* TheDitz: Stretch Snodgrass and his brother Bones. Stretch also has an even more clueless girlfriend, Suzie Prentiss.
* DomesticApplianceDisaster: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Brooks tries to prepare a roast turkey for Mr. Boynton. Actually, Miss Brooks' friendly elderly landlady Mrs. Davis brings over the cooked turkey so Miss Brooks can pretend to have cooked it herself. All Miss Brooks has to do is place it in the gas oven to warm up. Unfortunately, the oven's automatic gas jets hadn't been connected, so Miss Brooks fills the kitchen with gas. While Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are frantically trying to call the fire department, Principal Osgood Conklin visits Mr. Boynton's house to return his tools. Conklin can't see in the darkened kitchen, and lights a match . . . he's ultimately unharmed, just covered in soot and the remains of the roast turkey.
* DontExplainTheJoke: Mr. Boynton tells terrible jokes, sometimes he has to do this to find the humor to begin with.
* DontMakeMeTakeMyBeltOff: The program features a couple examples:
** "The Twin Orphans" ends with Miss Brooks looking out Mrs. Davis' front window, and observing the titular pair being taken over their knee and spanked by their father. The "orphans", Mike and Danny, had tricked the Madison High crowd into believing they had escaped from an OrphanageOfFear. By the dialogue, Miss Brooks obviously believes the spanking to be well earned.
** Averted in "Amalgamation". Mrs. Nestor's school is nearly merged with Mrs. Pryor's school next year. Upon visiting, Mr. Conklin almost swats one of the bratty child actors with his hand, but is stopped by Mrs. Pryor. As a believer in the "progressive method", students at Mrs. Pryor are allowed uninhibited self-expression. No discipline, corporal punishment or otherwise.
* DontYouLikeIt:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Miss Brooks is dismayed when Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin are representing a student delegation naming her their "Mother away from Mother". To make matters worse, they present her with a shawl as a gift for Mother's Day.
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Miss Brooks, Miss Enright, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Stone frantically try to avoid being presented with the Home Economics students' class projects. The girls sewed up a suit and a dress out of an old horse blanket.
** In "24 Hours", Mrs. Conklin is furious with her husband for gifting her with a pair of expensive andirons for her birthday.
* DoomedNewClothes:
** In "Easter Outfit", Miss Brooks' wears a new dress for the Easter Parade. Unfortunately, Connie was forced to go to the parade in her old dress. She had worn the new dress to Easter Breakfast and landlady Mrs. Davis's Easter Egg Hunt. However, Mrs. Davis' Easter Egg hunt goes wrong when Mrs. Davis forgot she hid two eggs under the chesterfield . . . and didn't hard-boil them!
** "Friday The Thirteenth" sees Mr. Conklin proud of his new black suit, black hat, black vest, black shoes and midnight blue tie. During the course of the day it gets torn and dirtied.
* DoomItYourself: In "Do It Yourself", Mr. Conklin starts the plot in motion when he burns down his garage after a misguided attempt at fixing the electrical wiring.
* DoorSlamOfRage: In "Trying to Pick a Fight", Miss Brooks tells Mr. Conklin that some couples pick fights so they can make up later. Sometime later, Mr. Conklin calls Miss Brooks to his office. It seems in trying to pick a fight with his wife, Mr. Conklin only managed to provoke his wife into threatening to go home to her mother. Mr. Conklin leaves to head to the railroad station to try to prevent his wife's departure, angrily slamming his office door behind him.
* TheDoorSlamsYou: Miss Brooks does this to Mr. Conklin a few times, by accident of course. It usually results in Miss Brooks breaking Mr. Conklin's glasses.
* DoorToDoorEpisode:
** In "Kritch Cave", Miss Brooks sells lots in Kritch Canyon at the behest of Mr. Conklin. Only it happens that, through a mixup, she sells Madison High School by error.
** In "Bargain Hats For Mother's Day", Miss Brooks sells three hats Mrs. Davis whipped up in return for Mrs. Davis forgiving several weeks back rent.
* DoTheyKnowItsChristmasTime: Our Miss Brooks had several Christmas episodes, although religion was rarely mentioned at other times (the program also had two Easter episodes and two Thanksgiving episodes):
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "Christmas Show" features the frantic exchanging of Christmas gifts . . . before Christmas.
** "Department Store Contest" sees Miss Brooks' childhood letter to Santa Claus inadvertently entered into the titular contest.
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "The Telegram" see Miss Brooks and company throw ChristmasInJuly parties for Mrs. Davis' sister Angela and Uncle Corky respectively.
* DoubleDate: A variation on the trope in "The Frog". Miss Brooks is tired of Mr. Boynton taking her to the zoo on the dates. In an desperate effort to move their dates, Miss Brooks gets a pet female frog to date Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall. The idea is for Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to double date with their pet frogs. It turns into a very noisy triple date, when Mr. Boynton brings a tomcat to date Mrs. Davis' lovelorn female cat Minerva.
* DoubleEntendre: Miss Brooks' letter to Mr. Conklin requesting flower pots for her windowsill gets mixed up with a love letter in ''Bones, Son of Cyrano''. Cue a flurry of double entendres when Mr. Conklin questions Miss Brooks.
* DoubleStandardViolenceChildOnAdult: In "Amalgamation", one of Mrs. Pryor's bratty child actors bites Mr. Conklin and rips his hat and jacket. Mrs. Pryor believes in the "progressive method", where it's forbidden to discipline or criticize a child in any way.
* DoYouWantToHaggle: Several episodes:
** In "Game At Clay City", Miss Brooks haggles with a mechanic.
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", Miss Brooks haggles with Mr. Conklin.
** "Fischer's Pawn Shop" sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Walter Denton haggle with Fischer to raise money for baseball uniforms.
** "Indian Burial Ground" has Mr. Conklin haggle with a prospective buyer for his vacant lot.
** "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud" features a bartering session with the eponymous chief.
* TheDragAlong: Miss Brooks often finds herself made an unwitting accomplice to Walter Denton's various schemes, i.e. "Cure That Habit", "The Cafeteria Strike", as exposing Walter would lead to his being suspended or expelled. Other occasions see her being ''ordered'' to go along with a scheme of Mr. Conklin's, as he's her principal and has the power to force her - or leastways make her life very miserable if she refuses, i.e. "The Big Jump". Yet that's not the whole story. Occasionally she even gets cajoled by her landlady Mrs. Davis, or her sister Angela, into aiding into some other wacky scheme from which Miss Brooks would prefer to keep her distance, i.e. "Mr. Casey's Will".
* DramaQueen: Harriet Conklin is overemotional in early episodes.
** In "Game at Clay City" she emotionally describes her relationship with Walter Denton thusly:
-->'''Harriet''': Walter isn't a real happy heartthrob, but he's good for a heartache or two!
** In "Student Government Day," Harriet Conklin is elected "Mayor for a Day." At the assembly, in front of the [[CorruptPolitician mayor]], she emotionally rails against municipal corruption. Later on, she berates a policeman by reciting the Constitution.
** In "Stretch Has A Problem" she's fit-to-burst when she thinks Walter needs her at his side during the State Basketball Championship. She doesn't miss a beat when she finds out its actually Stretch Snodgrass.
** In "Walter v. Stretch Grudge Match," Harriet instigates the said grudge match and then panics before the fight begins.
** In "Poetry Mixup" and "Bones, Son of Cyrano," Harriet is ecstatic thinking she received a love note from Mr. Boynton.
* DreamEpisode: The third-season episode "The Dream". After reading a book called "Maternity Ward", Miss Brooks dreams that she marries Mr. Boynton and has a baby girl named Cleo. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Conklin has a second child, a boy named Osgood Conklin Junior. Harriet Conklin marries Walter Denton and they have at least five children in three year. By the end of the dream, Osgood Conklin Junior and Cleo are secretly married and secretly have a baby girl of their own.
-->'''Osgood Conklin Junior''': Yes, sir, that's my baby
--> No, sir, I don't mean maybe
--> Yes, sir, that's my baby now!
* DreamSequence: Usually with Brooks dreaming about Boynton sweeping her off her feet or in some magical fairy tale, then the alarm clock ruins it all. A notable exception is "Connie's Job Offer", where Miss Brooks dreams of becoming mayor of a town in New Jersey.
* DressCode: In "Dress Code Protest", Mr. Conklin imposes a dress code after the students celebrate "Spirit Week" by wearing outrageous and mismatched clothing. Miss Brooks refers to the "celebration" as a "Malevolent Mardi Gras."
* DressedInLayers: In "Heat Wave", Mr. Boynton, Harriet Conklin, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are wearing bathing suits underneath their regular clothes, covertly plotting an escape from school and a trip to the swimming hole. [[spoiler: It so happens Miss Brooks is wearing a bathing suit underneath her regular clothes too.]]
* DrinkingOnDuty: On T.V., in the episode "The Loaded Custodian", Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis discuss how the previous custodian, Mr. Jensen, was fired for his drinking. Actually averted the few times Mr. Jensen appears on the radio (i.e. "Key to the School", "School Safety Advisor"), where his personality quirk is his insistence on interpreting common idioms [[LiteralMinded literally]].
* DrivenToMadness: "The School Board Psychologist" sees [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the Head of the Board, Mr. Stone, appoint a psychologist to examine the faculty of Madison High School.]] He's given the broad authority to fire any faculty who he believes is unfit for the teaching profession. The psychologist is already overworked, and is provably unfit to make recommendations (he suggests, for example, Mr. Boynton should be an exterminator). Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, and eventually Mr. Conklin himself gaslight the psychologist until he withdraws his recommendations and takes his much needed rest.
* DriverFacesPassenger: Walter Denton usually drives Miss Brooks to school. As a reckless sixteen year old driver, he, of course, looks at Miss Brooks instead of looking at the road. On one occasion, Miss Brooks had to grab the wheel and steer in order to prevent an accident.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Teenagers Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are chronic offenders of this trip. More surprisingly, Miss Brooks usually is as well. A running gag has her telling Mrs. Davis why she can't drive her car. Often enough it's in the shop. However, there are ''many'' occasions where Miss Brooks is to blame after having proved herself a stereotypical [[WomenDrivers woman driver]]. In "Trial By Jury", Miss Brooks goes to court to fight a charge of reckless driving after her car crashes into a fruit stand.
* DrivingStick: In "Who's Going Where", Mr. Conklin insists on going to Crystal Lake and having Miss Brooks accompany him (and type out his reports while being a "guest" at his family cottage). Miss Brooks offers Mr. Conklin the use of his car. However, Mr. Conklin claims that he can't drive Miss Brooks' pre-World War II car, because of an unfamiliar gear shift system.
* DroppedGlasses: Mr. Conklin fell victim to this trope on more than one occasion; i.e. "Cure That Habit", "Living Statues", and "Skis in the Classroom".
* DunceCap: Unsurprisingly, Stretch Snodgrass is forced to wear a dunce cap in "The Mambo".
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
** It's rather interesting to listen to the first "Audition Show" with Shirley Booth trying out for the role of Miss Brooks. Mr. Conklin is the head of the Board of Education, not the incoming principal (that role belongs to Mr. Darwell). Miss Brooks' landlady Mrs. Davis is younger, and has a teenaged daughter who Walter Denton intends to drive to school (Denton only drives Miss Brooks when his girlfriend breaks the date). Walter Denton is characterized somewhat in the vein of a DumbJock, and has a much different voice. In fact, Denton's character is more akin to the later Stretch Snodgrass than the Denton who would be a mainstay of the program from Day 1.
** An eyebrow-raising moments in early radio episodes is Walter Denton's contention that he's a great English student. Later, despite his SesquipedalianLoquaciousness, it's firmly established Denton is BookDumb.
** The animosity between Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks vanishes after "First Day" and remains subdued for most of the first season. Similarly, Mr. Conklin's hatred for Walter Denton is similarly absent. It emerges only after Walter's prank in the original radio version of "Cure That Habit". Mr. Conklin's nickname, "Old Marblehead", doesn't make its first appearance until the radio episode "Mr. Conklin's Carelessness Code". In one first season episode, "Easter Outfit", Walter tells Miss Brooks that Mr. Conklin's nickname amongst the students is "Napoleon".
* EasilyOverheardConversation: Happens from time to time. Usually, the eavesdropper misunderstands and hilarity ensues.
* EasterBunny: The Easter Bunny is [[DiscussedTrope mentioned]] in the two Easter episodes; "Easter Outfit" and "Dying Easter Eggs".
* EasyAmnesia: "Mr. Conklin's Plaque" begins with Mrs. Davis telling Miss Brooks how her sister Angela received amnesia after a blow on the head. Angela recovered after received a second blow.
* EasyComeEasyGo: Happens to Miss Brooks in "Principal for a Day" where she becomes [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin principal for a day]]. [[spoiler: Happily averted in TheMovie GrandFinale where Miss Brooks finally achieves her SeriesGoal and marries Mr. Boynton and lives HappilyEverAfter]].
* EatingPetFood: In "Poison Ivy", Mrs. Davis sets out dog biscuits in place of cereal for breakfast. Miss Brooks and Walter Denton both fall victim.
* EekAMouse: In [[IronicEpisodeTitle "A Demonstration of Male Superiority,"]] a house mouse scares Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis onto the dining room table. Walter Denton scares it away. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks later proves "male superiority" in an emergency to be a myth, when she is trapped in a meat freezer with Walter Denton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton.]]
* EggMacGuffin: episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Egg"]], Mrs. Davis gets a chicken egg from her brother's farm. Mistakenly, he had given her an egg soon to hatch. Miss Brooks and friends try to safely hatch the egg, and keep Mr. Conklin from frightening the chick by flashing a photo as it emerges from its shell.
* ElaborateUniversityHigh:
** Usually averted on radio and television in ''Radio/OurMissBrooks''. Madison High School's facilities seem to par for the course. Miss Brooks frequently criticizes her low pay, and episodes focus on various austerity measures (i.e. "Blue Goldfish"). The most tony aspects of the school are the ivy-covered walls and the bust of the founder, Yodar Kritch. Once or twice, the gymnasium is said to be in a separate building than the main school.
** Elaborate University High goes into play in TheMovie GrandFinale. Madison High School is a very large building with substantial grounds. It even has tennis courts!
* ElderlyFutureFantasy: In "The Dream", Miss Brooks dreams she has finally married Mr. Boynton. They had a daughter named Cleo. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have a son, Osgood Junior. Walter Denton marries Harriet Conklin, they have several children but Walter takes about twenty years to finish high school. Ultimately, many years later, the now elderly Mr. and Mrs. Boynton nee Brooks are still happily married. ''And'' still living with Miss Brooks [[CoolOldLady friendly landlady]] Mrs. Davis, who is well over a hundred year old. The only problem is Cleo, who is running around with the wild Osgood Conklin Junior. Mr. Boynton finds to his horror that Cleo is secretly married to Osgood Junior and they have a child named Osgood Junior Junior. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale Miss Brooks finally gets to marry Mr. Boynton for real.]]
* ElectionDayEpisode: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] to the ''Our Miss Brooks'' series sees Mr. Conklin compete with school board head Mr. Stone for the newly created post of "Coordinator of Education". [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin withdraws when Mr. Stone, who is independently wealthy, gets the board to set the salary for the position at a mere $500 per year. Meanwhile, in the main plot, Miss Brooks finally manages to achieve her SeriesGoal, marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* ElegantClassicalMusician: In "Faculty Band", Mr. Boynton mentions that Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' [[SitcomArchNemesis great rival]], plays the harp.
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': Well, look at our new harp.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[FluffyCloudHeaven But we're so young!]]
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': It's for the band. Miss Enright lent it to us. I understand she plays like an angel.
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': [[DeadpanSnarker I can hardly wait.]]
* ElevatorFailure:
** In "Project X", Miss Brooks begins the episode by nearly falling to her death down an open elevator shaft at Clay City High School.
** In "School Safety Advisor", a mix-up involves [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin and a member of the school board falling six feet down the empty freight elevator shaft.]]
* EmbarrassingFirstName: Stretch Snodgrass' real name is "Fabian."
* EmbarrassingRelativeTeacher: Harriet Conklin's father is the ''school principal''; to make it worse he's particularly unliked by the student body. Harriet's embarassed by the more ''unprincipled'' facets of Mr. Conklin's tenure. For example, in "Home Cooked Meal" she's mortified that instead of buying a home freezer, Mr. Conklin is secretly hiding the family's meat supply in the school cafeteria freezer.
* EmergencyImpersonation:
** In "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", Walter Denton is drafted to impersonate Stretch Snodgrass, while Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks impersonate his parents.
** In "Head of the State Board of Education", Miss Brooks asks a bum to impersonate the head of the state board (unaware that said bum is the head of the state board), Mr. Boynton impersonates Mr. Conklin, Mr. Conklin imitates Walter Denton, and Walter Denton claims to be Stretch Snodgrass. It all MakesSenseInContext.
* EntertaininglyWrong: Happens several times. From Miss Brooks' perspective, the events of "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton" and "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves" are particularly infamous!
* EtTuBrute: In "Mr. Conklin Plays Detective", Principal Osgood Conklin is shocked to discover that Mr. Boynton seems to be the one that stole his typewriter and made a long-distance call to Rockaway, Minnesota on his office phone. [[spoiler: It turns out to be a misunderstanding. Mr. Boynton oiled the typewriter and put it in the office closet. Boynton left the money for the long distance call in an envelope on Mr. Conklin's desk]].
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Et-tu, Boynton?
* EvenTheGuysWantHim: Walter has at least once said Mr. Boynton is "tall, dark, handsome..." as well as "Boy, is he good looking!"
* EveryProperLadyShouldCurtsy: Mrs. Davis curtsies on a few occasions, usually when the situation doesn't warrant it. In one episode, she even does a curtsy for a hobo calling himself "The Earl of Peoria".
* EverythingMakesAMushroom: In "Writing Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks [[ItMakesSenseInContext tells the editor of "True Family Romance" that her entirely-made-up quiz kid son]] made a mushroom with his home chemistry set the other day.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: In "Life Can Be Bones", Miss Brooks interests LoveInterest Mr. Boynton in a fossil dig in her backyard, by describing to him a bone of what might be a prehistoric "missing link". For some reason, on said dig Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin forget about the "missing link" and dig up presumed dinosaur fossils. It turns out the fossils were planted by Walter Denton, in place of the entirely unconvincing soup bones Miss Brooks herself had buried for the "archeological expedition."
* EvilGloating: Mr. Conklin likes to gloat.
** In "Faculty Cheerleader", Mr. Conklin gloats to his daughter over his morning coffee. He considers the sight of Miss Brooks, appointed faculty cheerleader, tossing a baton up in the air and it hitting her on the head. [[spoiler: When Mr. Conklin decides to make himself faculty cheerleader, he's a victim of LaserGuidedKarma.]]
** Mr. Conklin gloats to Miss Brooks in "Two Way Stretch Snodrgass" about his plans for the school football team, see EvilLaugh below.
* EvilLaugh: Mr. Conklin laughs ''evilly'' on a couple occasions. This example is from the episode "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass'':
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': I just learned that Biff Mooney, one of the greatest college football players, is interested in a high school coaching job in this part of the country. I've already opened negotiations by mail, and it's a foregone conclusion that he'll accept my offer. Ah-ha-ha-ha (''evil laugh''), ah, I can't wait to see the expression on Brill's face when I tell him about it. Heh, heh, heh (''evil laugh'').
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker In some states, that laugh would be banned.]]
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: The series naturally stars Miss Brooks. Additionally, episode titles often describe what the episode is about, i.e "Angela's Wedding" or "Birthday Bag".
* ExactWords:
** In "The Big Game", Miss Brooks takes Mr. Conklin's exact words at their literal value to pass former football star Gus "Snakehips" Geary and give him his high school diploma.
** Similarly, in "The Yodar Kritch Award", Miss Brooks gives [[DumbJock Bones Snodgrass]] (or Stretch Snodgrass, in the radio version of the episode) the Yodar Kritch Award for Unique Achievement in English. The unique achievement? Not answering a single question right.
* ExcitedShowTitle: "Spare That Rod!"
* TheExitIsThatWay: In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", [[ItMakesSenseInContext Miss Brooks accidentally offers to masquerade as Mr. Boynton's mother]] in front of Dean Faraday of State University. Playing the "wrong" Mrs. Boynton requires her to go to Mr. Boynton's apartment and entertain the dean. Unfortunately, Mr. Boynton's apartment features mainly wildlife specimens . . . ''and doors''. Miss Brooks, at various times, mistakenly goes into the bathroom, closet, kitchen, bedroom, and once even locks herself outside the backdoor and has to be let in the front by the dean.
* ExtendedGreetings: Walter Denton likes to carry on. This exchange with Miss Brooks is in the episode "Wild Goose Chase":
-->'''Walter Denton:''' And to you, fair flower of the faculty, a thousand salaams!\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Thank you, Walter Denton, and I've had my share, thanks.]]
* ExtremelyShortIntroSequence: The syndicated opening sequence for Our Miss Brooks [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rr1i9hp-3w is only 13-seconds long]]. Notable in that the syndicated version dates back to the 1950's. The theme itself dates to the 1948 radio premier, when it was played briefly at the start and end of the radio episodes. A much longer version of the tune plays over the closing credits.
* ExtracurricularEnthusiast: Walter Denton. He's been manager of the football, baseball and basketball team. He's been on the debating team, editor of the school paper "The Madison Monitor" and Vice-President of the Student Council. Walters also helps Miss Brooks' with the Spring Garden, and joins Madison High School's (short-lived) student Traffic Police. He's also tried out (unsuccessfully) for the baseball, basketball and water polo, before finally (and barely) making it onto the school football team.
* EyeTake: Miss Brooks bugs out her eyes from time to time. One example is early in [[GrandFinale the film]], after Mrs. Davis greets her with an apparent non sequitur.
* FacialDialogue: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Brooks' facial expressions as Mr. Conklin is about to light a match in a gas-filled room....
* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: Miss Brooks can't get Mr. Boynton to propose marriage . . . that is until the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]] where, with the help of Mrs. Davis, she succeeds in marrying Mr. Boynton and living [[HappilyEverAfter happily ever after]].
* FailuresOnIce: In "Swap Week", school board head Mr. Stone is forced to recuperate at his vacation cabin. Stone had injured his ankle using the pair of ice skates Mr. Conklin bought him.
* FaintInShock: In the concluding film, Mr. Conklin faints when he learns that [[spoiler:the position he's been campaigning for pays only a nominal amount.]]
* FairWeatherFriend: Sometimes, when the going gets tough, Walter Denton gets going, i.e. "Trial By Jury".
* FairyTaleEpisode: "Cinderella for a Day". A mysterious shoe salesman lends Miss Brooks a custom-made gold slipper until midnight. Miss Brooks is treated to several Cinderella-style presents, from the same mysterious donor, that allow her to attend the masquerade ball at the country club in style. [[spoiler: It turns out the shoe salesman was a millionaire gambler who had placed a bet with a expert shoemaker that he could find a pair of feet that would perfectly fit the custom made slippers. The gifts were partly his reward to Miss Brooks, and partly for laughs.]]
* FairyTaleWeddingDress:
** "Angela's Wedding" begins with Mrs. Davis' sister Angela trying on her wedding dress while carrying her bouquet. It is an elaborate white dress with a veil and a train, with humour coming from the fact Angela is in her latter middle-aged and is quite plump.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale to the series, Miss Brooks pictures herself in one as she fantasizes about marriage to Mr. Boynton. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks finally gets her man at the end of the film]]
* FakeCharity: In the episode "Bobbsey Twins in Stir", a conman is tricking people into [[RefugeInAudacity selling fake tickets to the policemen's ball.]] The proceeds are supposedly going to "widows and orphans".
* FallingInLoveMontage: PlayedForLaughs. Mr. Boynton takes Miss Brooks to the zoo, where they feed an elephant mother and her baby. Then Miss Brooks lures Mr. Boynton away from the zoo, to a sale on furniture in the ''Sherry's Department Store'' window, as a way of suggesting matrimony. Mr. Boynton again starts taking Miss Brooks again to the zoo, where a camera fade shows how much the baby elephant had grown in a couple years.
--> '''Miss Brooks (narrating)''': Ours was not the fastest romance in history, but it took no time to develop into one of the slowest.
* FamilyBusiness:
** Mrs. Nestor's private elementary school in the last television season. Mrs. Nestor is principal, [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute her sister (also named Mrs. Nestor) become the new principal,]] her brother Munsee is vice principal.
** ''The Madison Express'', the Madison daily newspaper owned by Lawrence Nolan. He expects his son Gary to run the paper after he retires.
* FamilyVersusCareer: Several episodes (i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton) suggest that upon achieving her series goal of marriage to Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks intends to resign her position as Madison English teacher. In the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] this is also the case. Family first for Miss Brooks, as her HappilyEverAfter is to become a wife and mother.
* FancyDinner:
** The School Board Banquet in "Stretch is in Love" (radio) and "Suzy Prentisss" (television). It's a black tie event, tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women.
** To a lesser degree, Miss Brooks' dinner at an expensive [[FrenchCuisineIsHaughty French restaurant]] in "French Sadie Hawkins Day".
* {{Fanfare}}: The movie dispenses with the usual series theme, and opens with a fanfare heavy composition.
* TheFashionista: Wealthy Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' rival, is always impeccably dressed.
* FashionMagazine: In the episode "Cosmopolitan Magazine", a photographer arrives from the real-life ''Magazine/{{Cosmopolitan}} Magazine'' to do an article and photo-spread about an average American high school. The trope is somewhat averted, as at the time (1953) Cosmopolitan was an esteemed literary and general interest periodical, and not the sex and fashion magazine it is today. The radio episode was broadcast to coincide with Cosmopolitan's publication of an article on Eve Arden and ''Our Miss Brooks''. [[OlderThanTheyThink An example of the application of media "synergies", at least fifty years before the modern word was coined.]]
* FatalFireworks: In the episode "School Safety Advisor", DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass brings an enormous firecracker to school, preparatory to setting it off for the Fourth of July. Stretch accidentally gets the fuse wet, so he ''attempts to dry it off with a match''. This lights the fuse; fortunately a quick-thinking Miss Brooks throws the firecracker into an empty supply room. Alas, the room wasn't so empty after all! Fortuantely, Mr. Conklin emerged relatively unharmed from that minor explosion!
* FavorsForTheSexy: This happened most notably in the episodes "The Model Schoolteacher" (the radio original) and "The Model Teacher" (the television remake). Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin trip over themselves helping a glamorous ImmoralJournalist from "Snap Magazine". She is at Madison High to do a profile on the day in the life of a schoolteacher, but really views her role as that of doing a hatchet job on Miss Brooks.
* FawltyTowersPlot:
** "Head of the Board": The trouble begins when Walter Denton makes a prank call to Mr. Conklin, claiming to be Wallace T. Hewitt, head of the State Board of Education. Miss Brooks is forced to find an impersonator to play the role and avert Mr. Conklin's wrath. HilarityEnsues.
** "Two-way Stretch Snodgrass": Happens when Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin have Walter Denton masquerade as student athlete Stretch Snodgrass.
* FeelingTheirAge: In "Old Age Plan" the power of suggestion turns Boynton and Conklin into shambling wrecks with one foot in the grave. Miss Brooks is trying to sell an old age savings plan to the two men and, after reading the signs of old age to them, they come down with all the symptoms.
* FeigningIntelligence: In "Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks enlists Walter Denton to masquerade as her nonexistent fourteen year old quiz kid son. Miss Brooks had written an fictional article for "True Family Romance" magazine about her quiz kid son, and needed to prove the story was true in order to collect her payment. HilarityEnsues, especially as Mr. Conklin gets involved . . . .
* FellAsleepStandingUp: Stretch Snodgrass in "Stretch Is In Love Again" falls asleep standing in the school hallway. Judy Brille, daughter of rival high school principal Jason Brille, was colluding with her father to keep Stretch out dating her and dancing to the wee hours of the morning. In that way, they hoped to keep him useless in the big game.
* FileMixup: The episode "Have Bed - Will Travel" sees Mrs Davis' medical records mixed with an ill nonagenarian friend, making Miss Brooks believe her landlady is mortally ill.
* FillItWithFlowers: In "Poetry Mix-Up", Mr. Boynton advises Miss Brooks to request some flowers from the school nursery, in order to brighten up her dreary classroom.
* FilmNoir: The latter part of "Postage Due" is very much film noir influenced, with Miss Brooks providing a PrivateEyeMonologue.
* FinalSeasonCasting: The chaotic and controversial last season of the television series. ExecutiveMeddling saw Miss Brooks take a new job as a teacher at a private elementary school in California (versus the EverytownAmerica setting of Madison). The last season initially sees the departure of everybody but Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin. Mrs. Davis was briefly replaced by her sister Angela, before returning to the picture a couple episodes later. Mrs. Nestor is introduced as Miss Brooks' new boss, only to be replaced by her sister, [[FridgeLogic also named Mrs. Nestor]]. Mr. Boynton is replaced as Miss Brooks' love interest by two gym teachers in quick succession, until finally returning at the end of the program. Harriet Conklin and Walter Denton disappear entirely from Miss Brooks' life, although Mrs. Conklin again made a few appearances toward the end. This was averted on the radio, as the program continued at Madison High School in the [[EverytownAmerica City of Madison]] as per usual. The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] followed the radio continuity, ignoring the final television season completely.
* FireOfComfort: In the episode "Magic Tree", Miss Brooks spends Christmas Eve in a rocking chair in front Mrs. Davis' fireplace
* FirstNameBasis: [[spoiler: Significantly, making up after an argument midway through the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]], Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton finally move to a first name bais, "Connie" and "Phillip" respectively.]]
* FiveFingerDiscount: In "The Bicycle Thief", Stevie, a poor but otherwise honest honor student just can't help himself; he borrows Mr. Conklin's bicycle for his birthday. Miss Brooks tries to prevent Mr. Conklin from discovering the identity of the borrower.
* FlashbackEffects: Visual effects and music were used to signify dream sequences in "Magic Christmas Tree", "The Dream", "King and Miss Brooks" and "Mr. Boynton's Return". Just the music was used for the radio in "Connie's New Job Offer" and the radio version of "Magic Christmas Tree".
* FloorboardFailure: In the GrandFinale, when campaigning for the position of Coordinator of Education, Mr. Conklin falls through the floor of the temporary stage Walter Denton constructed. Walter didn't use enough nails.
* FlorenceNightingaleEffect:
** In the episode "Pensacola Popovers", Miss Brooks tries to work the Florence Nightengale Effect to her benefit by buying Mr. Boynton snacks throughout the morning. Including the titular cookies, which made everyone ''aside from Mr. Boynton'' sick. Mr. Boynton eventually telephones Miss Brooks, asking for her nursing aid. However, it turns out that Mr. Boynton wants Miss Brooks to nurse his pet frog (who had also eaten a Pensacola Popover).
** In "Reunion", one of Miss Brooks' friends had met her husband while she working in a doctor's office. He had visited the doctor due to a slipped disk.
* TheFoodPoisoningIncident: Mrs. Davis is often a CordonBleughChef (try her Limburger omelet), but once she goes straight into LethalChef territory. "Pensacola Popovers", in the episode of the same name, are guaranteed to give man or beast gastric distress. Walter Denton tries one and is sick as a dog. Principal Osgood Conklin tries one, and goes home sick within a half an hour. Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall licks one, and is reduced to hopping around on his head in a frenzy.
** [[spoiler: Miss Brooks gives a few to LoveInterest Mr. Boynton, in a plot to make him sick so she can nurse him back to health. Alas, Mr. Boynton's cast-iron stomach makes him immune. For awhile, at least. Mr. Boynton calls Miss Brooks as he needs someone to nurse . . . his pet frog Mcdougall. Eventually, the popovers have their effect, and Mr. Boynton faints away at the Biology Club luncheon and is taken to the hospital.]]
--> '''Miss Brooks''' Well, what do you know? A delayed popover!
* FlowersOfFemininity:
** Elderly landlady Mrs. Davis prefers floral wallpaper at home, and dress patterns generally.
** In "Bones, Son of Cyrano" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of "Poetry Mixup"), Miss Brooks requests six small flowerpots for her classroom.
* FoodPorn:
** In "Carelessness Code", a SoundToScreenAdaptation, Miss Brooks has no money for lunch due to Mr. Conklin's arbitrary "carelessness code" fines. A lot of time is spent with Miss Brooks looking hungrily upon Harriet's cafeteria lunch of roast beef and mashed potatoes.
** In the "Thanksgiving Show", Walter Denton describes his typical thanksgiving dinner to Miss Brooks:
--->'''Walter Denton''': Well, usually Mom cooks a big turkey. And we have dinner at about four o'clock in the afternoon. Oh gosh, I'll never forget last year's meal. First we had a fresh fruit cup and then some delicious vegetable soup. And then this golden brown turkey was served with a special dressing of raisons and chestnuts. And then we had some candied yams with a baked marshmallow covering and . . . .
* ForeignQueasine: A staple of early radio episodes, was landlady Mrs. Davis' reliance on outlandish foreign recipes for Miss Brooks' breakfast. One such dish were Armenian Pancakes, which relied on sour goat's milk. Another was an Eskimo recipe for "blubber burgers", whale meat fried in seal fat. Mrs. Davis become more staid as time goes on, and the show moved to television. However, Miss Brooks complains of eating Hungarian Goulash in a later episode. Miss Brooks outright refuses to touch a plate of Veal Scallopini and Garlic Bread Mrs. Davis presents her with one morning.
* ForgottenAnniversary: In "24 Hours", Miss Brooks talks to an irate Martha Conklin; she's furious that Osgood Conklin hadn't bought a present or even mentioned their anniversary. Miss Brooks tries to patch things up by buying a pair of andirons and sending it as a gift in Osgood Conklin's name. Later, Miss Brooks is surprised to find Martha Conklin is angry at Osgood Conklin for buying an expensive pair of andirons. It's made worse when she receives the pair of andirons ''Osgood'' bought for her. He hadn't forgotten after all.
* ForgottenBirthday: In "The Birthday Bag". Miss Brooks forgets her own birthday, while everybody else remembers.
* ForgotToMindTheirHead: Occasionally happens to Mr. Conklin. For example, in one episode he's looking for something under his desk and bumps his head when he gets up.
* ForgotToPayTheBill: In "Public Property on Parade", the electricity is disconnected when Mrs. Davis fails to pay the bill. Miss Brooks is forced to type out a speech by the light of a streetlamp.
* FortuneTeller:
** Mrs. Davis believes tea leaves to be a reliable method of telling the future. Most notably, in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves"]], Mrs. Davis' dresses up as gypsy to read Miss Brooks' tea leaves. Her predictions appear to come true . . . until HilarityEnsues.
** Mrs. Davis also reads tea leaves in the radio episodes "The Weighing Machine" and "Friendship" to varying results. In "Weighing Machine", Mrs. Davis' reading is prompted by the need to double check a fortune Miss Brooks' receives from a penny weighing machine. Here, the readings turn out to be correct . . . but not in the way Mrs. Davis or Miss Brooks expects.
** Mrs. Davis switches to playing cards in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]]. However, Mrs. Davis simply uses the cards as a device to reveal Mr. Boynton's intention to Miss Brooks, in spite of having previously been pledged to secrecy.
* ForYourOwnGood: In "Spare That Rod!", Principal Conklin's rationale for his severe discipline policy. It's for the benefit of the students, the faculty and Madison High School alike.
* FourLeafClover: In "Four Leaf Clover", Miss Brooks picks a four leaf clover that brings her nothing but ''bad'' luck. She eventually pawns it off to a crooked auto mechanic.
* FreePrizeAtTheBottom: [[spoiler: The fateful box of Cracker Jacks, at the end of the film.]]
* FreeRangeChildren: Teenagers Walter Denton, Stretch and Bones Snodgrass tend to be able to go where they please and when. Averted with Harriet Conklin, who Mr. Conklin is (sometimes) seen to keep an eye on.
* FrenchCuisineIsHaughty: In the episode "French Sadie Hawkins Day", Miss Brooks accidentally orders "Parking in Rear" from the snobby maître d'hôtel. She then proceeds to order expensive meals for everybody, ignorant of the fact that she has agreed to pay for the entire dinner.
* FreudianSlip: Miss Brooks sometimes slips something marriage or romance related when talking to Mr. Boynton.
* AFriendInNeed: Miss Brooks can always be counted on to stand by her friends; even Mr. Conklin, her FriendlyEnemy.
** On multiple occasions, she protects Walter Denton from having one of his practical jokes exposed and backfiring on him. "Cure That Habit" and "Mr. Conklin is Honored" are cases in point.
** Miss Brooks is eager to protect [[LoveInterest Mr. Boynton]], naturally enough. "Mr. Conklin Plays Detective", where Miss Brooks believes Mr. Boynton used Mr. Conklin's phone to make a long distance call, is a case in point. Likewise, "The Jewel Robbery", where Miss Brooks wrongly believes Mr. Boynton robbed a store.
** Miss Brooks saves Mr. Conklin's job in "Wake Up Plan" and "Saving the School Newspaper". When Miss Brooks wrongly concludes Mr. Conklin has been fired in "Rumors", she sets up a laundry to raise money.
** Miss Brooks saves Mrs. Davis from a hurried marriage in "Marriage Madness".
* FriendlyEnemies: Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin often kvetch about being the bane of one other's existence. However, depending on their goals, they'll either be working together on friendly terms ("Citizen's League", "Two-way Stretch Snodgrass", "Postage Due"), helping one another ("Cure That Habit", "The Hobby Show"), socializing with one another ("Parlor Game" and "The Birthday Bag") . . . or at loggerheads as if they were sworn enemies ("Old Marblehead", "Business Course", "Secondhand First Aid").
* FriendshipSong: In the episode "Friendship", "Friendship" (''from Theatre/AnythingGoes'') is played between scenes, ever more manically as Miss Brooks' loses friends. Unusually, the two buddies singing the song don't have a role outside the song. In the song's last appearance, about midway through the episode, one friend decides to murder the other:
-->'''The Two Friends''': Friendship\\
Friendship\\
Just a perfect friendship\\
When other friendships be forgot\\
'''Gunshot'''\\
'''Surviving Friend''': '''I''' will still be hot.
* FrivolousLawsuit: In the episode "Mr. Travers' Three Acre Lot". Mr. Conklin ''literally'' sets Miss Brooks up for a fall so he can sue Mr. Travers and force the sale of the eponymous lot.
* FruitCart: Memorably, in "Trial by Jury", Miss Brooks finds herself charged with speeding, reckless driving, driving the wrong way, and crashing into a fruit stand. The unfortunate fruit stand owner again suffers at the hands of Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin's automobile mishaps in "Miss Brooks' New Car". At the end of the episode, Miss Brooks takes a wagon load of fruit to the Conklins as a peace offering. The fruit stand owner had decided to give Miss Brooks his stock and start again in another city.
* FryingPanOfDoom: In "Angela's Wedding", Mrs. Davis uses a frying pan to great effect on the noggin of a gym teacher who [[BerserkButton insults her deviled eggs.]]
* FunWithForeignLanguages: Guaranteed whenever French teacher Mr. [=LeBlanc=] appears.
* FurAndLoathing: Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' snooty, catty [[SitcomArchNemesis rival]], brags about her furs as well as other expensive clothes.
* GagEcho: A notable example occurs in the episode "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo." The titular hobo calls himself "The Earl of Peoria." Miss Brooks responds by asking "How is the Princess Margaret-Rose?" The hobo introduces himself to Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis inquires "How is the Princess Margaret Rose?" Walter Denton appears, again asking "Then how's the Princess Margaret Rose?" Finally, Mr. Conklin is introduced to the hobo. He asks "Then how's the Duke of Edinburgh?" Mr. Conklin laughs at his own joke.
* GagHaircut: In "The Hairdo". Miss Enright instructs the hairdresser to sabotage Miss Brook’s hairdo.
* GambitPileup: In "Writing Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin each write fictional articles for "True Family Romance" magazine, neither knowing of the other's "indiscretion". Both are forced to prove the veracity of their fake tale in order to collect their fee. Both enlist Walter Denton to play the part of their respective fake fourteen year old sons . . . in the same place, at the same time. HilarityEnsues.
* GamesOfTheElderly: In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Mrs. Davis mentions how Mrs. Boynton (Mr. Boynton's mother) "beat my brains out" in canasta. [[spoiler: At movie's end, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Boynton finally get Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton married]]
* GenderEqualEnsemble: The six major characters are equally balanced by gender. Three girls: Constance (Connie) Brooks, Margaret Davis and Harriet Conklin. Three boys: Phillip Boynton, Osgood Conklin, and Walter Denton.
* GenreRefugee: Tex Barton, a teenaged cowboy.
* GentlemanAdventurer: Safari O'Toole, in the episode of the same name. He is Mrs. Davis' faithful pen pal, and is noted for his travels through the wilds of DarkestAfrica. [[spoiler: He's also a fake.]]
* GettingTheBoot: Walter Denton complains about his dates with Harriet ending with Mr. Conklin kicking him down the porch steps.ca.
* TheGhost:
** Mrs. Davis' eccentric sister Angela is frequently discussed by Mrs. Davis at the breakfast table. Angela, however, remains unheard (on the radio) and unseen (on television) for quite awhile. Eventually, Jessica makes several appearances on the television series (sometimes as her sister's SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute, at a time when actress Jane Morgan suffered a stroke). The role was played by Canadian actress Jesselyn Fax. Fax also performed the role at least twice on the radio.
** Similarly, Mrs. Davis' much discussed brother Victor goes several years without being seen. He finally makes one appearance in the second television season, the episode "The Egg."
* GiftOfTheMagiPlot: In "Easter Parade", Miss Brooks works during her Spring Break in order in earn money so she can accompany Mr. Boynton to the Easter Parade in a new dress. Meanwhile, Mr. Boynton's working to earn money for a new suit to wear when he takes Miss Brooks to the Easter Parade. Due to TaxDeductions, Miss Brooks doesn't earn enough for the new dress. Mrs. Davis lends her the extra money, Miss Brooks doesn't learn the money is actually coming from Mr. Boynton. Mr. Boynton no longer has enough money for the new suit. Miss Brooks' new dress is messed up when she accidently sits on a couple of Easter Eggs Mrs. Davis hid under the sofa cushions. So she too goes to the parade in her old dress of which she's positively ashamed. Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton both enjoy a heartwarming moment as a result.
* GirlOfTheWeek:
** "New Girl In Town" is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. Walter Denton dates the new girl, while Miss Brooks' LoveInterest Mr. Boynton is attracted to the girl's widowed mother.
** "Life Can Be Bones" sees Miss Brooks romantically threatened by Mr. Boynton's temporary laboratory assistant.
** In "Hello, Mr. Chips", Miss Brooks tries to date an English schoolmaster to make Mr. Boynton jealous.
** In "Clay City English Teacher", scheming Clay City High School principal Jason Brille tries to lure Miss Brooks to his school with the eponymous male teacher. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks won't go unless there's a job for Mr. Boynton too.]]
* GirlsBehindBars:
** In "The Embezzled Dress" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of "Student Banking"), Miss Brooks fears being sent to prison. Landlady Mrs. Davis had unknowingly spent the students' bank money left in Miss Brooks' care, thinking it was Miss Brooks' back rent. Walter Denton, trying to teach Miss Brooks up, tells her about the conditions at the State Prison for Women. It involves mopping the floors all day; as there are not enough mops to go around, many of the inmates have to clean the floors on their hands and knees.
** In "Bobbsey Twins in Stir", Mrs. Davis, and later Miss Brooks, are briefly in jail after they're tricked into selling phony tickets to the policeman's ball.
* GirlsWithMustaches: In "Madame Brooks Dubarry", Mrs. Davis wears a fake mustache when she dons a UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt costume for a party.
* GirlySkirtTwirl: Miss Brooks does one in her fantasy sequence in the series' [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]]. She's dreaming about her life married to Mr. Boynton.
* GiveMeBackMyWallet: In "The Burglar", Mr. Conklin wakes up from his nap discovering a burglar in the process of absconding with the basket of fried chicken his wife cooked for him.
* GladIThoughtOfIt: Mr. Conklin uses this trope from time-to-time, usually at Connie's expense. However, being a DeadpanSnarker, Connie doesn't let this go without remark.
* TheGlassesGotToGo: Said by Miss Brooks in "The Dancer." She had tried on a pair of glasses to see if Mr. Boynton will find her attractive in them. Mr. Boynton complimented Miss Brooks on how "mature" she looks.
* GoGetterGirl: Harriet Conklin is a straight A student, Student Council President, and member of a number of clubs. Next to her boyfriend, Walter Denton, she's probably Miss Brooks' biggest TeachersPet. She's also seen as the only student who likes the principal, likely because she's his daughter.
* GoingDownWithTheShip: In "An American Tragedy", Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are stranded on a rowboat in the middle of Crystal Lake. Mr. Conklin proclaims himself captain, however it turns out the rowboat is leaking and starts to sink. Neither Mr. Conklin nor Miss Brooks can swim . . . .
-->'''Mr. Conklin''' (panicking): [[HypocriticalHumor Well keep your head, Boynton!]] Don't get panicky! Don't get panicky, boy! You need all your strength, every ounce of it to tow '''me''' ashore!
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Tow you ashore? What about me, sir? I can't swim either, and you know the tradition of the sea, the captain goes down with his ship!
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Not in this ship!
** [[spoiler: Fortunately, they had unknowingly drifted near the shore and the water under the boat was only three feet deep]]
* GoldDigger: In "Marriage Madness", the butcher's new business partner tries to marry Mrs. Davis for her money. It seems as if he's been often married, starting with the time in school he ran off with his French teacher.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': If he had said English teacher, I would have screamed!
* GoodGuyBar: Marty's Malt Shop is the usual hangout for teachers and students alike, outside school.
* GoodOlBoy: In "Four Fiances", the Texan to whom Miss Brooks finds herself unwittingly engaged. The gentleman is portrayed sympathetically.
* GoodParents: Martha Conklin, mother of HairOfGoldHeartOfGold Harriet Conklin. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to Harriet's father, Osgood Conklin. Although Harriet and her father are close, Osgood Conklin is pompous and [[OverprotectiveDad overprotective.]]
* GoshDangItToHeck: Used from time to time, often making the avoidance humorous in itself:
** Sometimes, swear words are referred to obliquely. For example, in "Stretch is Accused Of Professionalism, there's this exchange between Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks:
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': Stretch has as much chance of passing that test as, well, . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Maybe one of them didn't melt down there.
** Miss Brooks censors Walter Denton at breakfast when he's complaining about Mr. Conklin:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin is making my otherwise placid existence a living . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Walter!
-->'''Walter Denton''': Inferno?
** Words like "dang" and "heck" are often treated seriously. When Mr. Boynton uses it in the cafeteria HilarityEnsues:
--> '''Walter Denton''': Language!
--> '''Mr. Boynton''': Oh, sorry Miss Brooks.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': That's all right, Mr. Boynton. In such times, even I resort to a mild profanity. ''Whoa Nelly''!
** On a more serious note, Mr. Conklin's favourite exclamation is the mild"Gad!"; likely to avoid blasphemy and breaking The Third Commandment.
** In a RealLife Moment of Heartwarming, Creator/EveArden asked the radio and later the television crew not to swear on set as there were kids working on the show.
* GossipyHens:
** In "The Party Line", the two woman who share Miss Brooks' party telephone line hold up the phone gossiping all day. The women also listen in on Miss Brooks' conversations and gossip about Miss Brooks, Mrs. Davis and Mr. Boynton.
** Mrs. Davis and her sister Angela, on occasion. Of course, they'll deny being gossips...
* GoToSleepEnding: The episode "Wake-Up Plan" ends with Miss Brooks finding Mr. Boynton sleeping on a bench in the hallway, just outside Mr. Conklin's office. Miss Brooks sits on his lap.
--->'''Miss Brooks''': Oh well, might as well make it unanimous. Good night all.
--->'''Mr. Boynton''': (whistles in his sleep)
* GotVolunteered: Miss Brooks often finds herself volunteered by Mr. Conklin to do his secretarial, typing or speechwriting work; i.e. Aunt Mattie Boynton, Public Property on Parade.
* GrammarNazi: Miss Brooks herself is a mild example, as an English teacher she's often heard correcting Walter Denton or Stretch Snodgrass' grammar. Here, it's [[JustifiedTrope justified]].
* GrandeDame: Mrs. Grabar in "Madison Country Club". Mr. Conklin intends to squeeze money out of the rich dowager so he can redecorate his office. When she arrives, he plans on staging quite a show of poverty, complete with the staff dressed like hobos. Miss Brooks and company have other plans. HilarityEnsues.
* GrandRomanticGesture: In the episode "Clay City English Teacher", Mr. Boynton tries to impress Miss Brooks by imitating Literature/SamSpade. [[ItMakesSenseInContext It makes sense in context.]]
* GrannyClassic: Mrs. Davis is often portrayed this way; she's kind, loves to cook, sews and knits, and has a pet cat named Minerva. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale she's responsible the marriage of Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton]]
* GratuitousSpanish: Mexican boy Ricky Velasco in "The Miserable Caballero" and "Buddy", in the last television season Mexican student Benny Romero. Both parts were played by child actor Ricky Vera.
* GrayRainOfDepression: In "The Pet Shop", a misunderstanding means that Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are likely to stand one another up for their date. At the last moment, Miss Brooks decides to go wait for Mr. Boynton outside the pet shop as promised. Miss Brooks waits, likely in vain, as a grey rain of depression falls. [[spoiler:Mr. Boynton also cannot stay away, and the misunderstanding is cleared. The rain likewise clears, and Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton go out on their date.]]
* GreasySpoon: Miss Brooks moonlights in one, taking the identity of her nonexistent identical twin, in the episode "Connie and Bonnie".
* GretzkyHasTheBall: Miss Brooks' knowledge of sports ranges from the excellent to the ridiculously inadequate.
** In "Bronco Dismissed" the trope is averted, as Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton substitute coach for the football team without any difficulty. Likewise in other episodes such as "Baseball Slide" and "The Big Game". In some episodes, however, Miss Brooks is very much in the dark . . . .
** In "Game At Clay City", Miss Brooks' football knowledge isn't lacking, but Mr. Boynton admits to being clueless as to most if not all sports. He even asks who's pitching for the football team.
** In "The Grudge Match", Miss Brooks confuses the baseball term "bullpen" with "pigpen". She also mistakenly calls pitchers "chuckers". She later redeems herself, by serving as the announcer for the titular boxing match.
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", Miss Brooks cheers on a dead tired Stretch Snodgrass when he runs the wrong way and scores on Madison.
** In "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", when Mr. Conklin calls Stretch one of the most promising high school tailbacks in the country, Miss Brooks look behind Stretch to see if he had a tail.
* GreyscaleOfEvil: Osgood Conklin prefers to dress in black three-piece suits, or at least dark colors. Although the program appeared on television and film in black and white, and didn't "appear" at all on the radio, this tendency is mentioned several times:
** "First Day": Mr. Conklin not only dressed in black, but drove a large black sedan that Walter Denton compares to a hearse.
** "Friday The Thirteenth": Mr. Conklin brags about his respectable black suit and hat to his daughter. He worries that his "midnight blue" tie might be loud.
* GrinOfAudacity:
** Sported by Walter Denton, whenever conniving to pull an especially severe prank on Mr. Conklin. Being told off sometimes serves to encourage the grin (except by Mr. Conklin himself, of whom Denton is somewhat afraid). Noticeable in "Wild Goose", "Space, Who Needs It?", "Cure That Habit", "Marinated Hearing" and "Spare That Rod!".
** Walter is also proud of having a "dark secret". In "Citizen's League", Miss Brooks suffers from guilt for having [[spoiler: accidentally stuck a pin in the seat of the church organist Mrs. Dunfy when fitting her dress for the governor's wedding]]. Miss Brooks asks Walter if he himself has a dark secret. Walter [[AnnoyingLaugh smirks, laughs, and says he does.]] [[spoiler: However, after being chewed out by Miss Brooks, Walter admits it's far from terrible, and again in the nature of a teenage prank.]]
** In "Wake Up Plan", Mr. Conklin laughs at his having sent a letter to the board of education, reporting Miss Brooks for missing her morning classes. This is in spite of admitted to himself, out loud, that it was a terrible thing to do.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mrs. Davis suggests to Mr. Boynton that Lawrence Nolan had induced Miss Brooks to take a trip on his yacht so he might seduce her. Mr. Boynton is outraged, and begins frantically checking his address book. Meanwhile, Mrs. Davis smiles and stifles a giggles, overjoyed that her use of OperationJealousy was off to a fine start!
* GuysAreSlobs: Walter Denton in "Mr. Boynton's Parents". Walter mentions that one of the reasons he wants to honour his mother on Mother's Day is she picks up after him; a typical teen boy, he leaves his room a mess and his clothes all over the floor.
* HalloweenEpisode: The first season of the radio series has an episode where Walter and Stretch convince Miss Brooks to throw a Halloween party with the promise of inviting Mr. Boynton.
* {{Hallucinations}}: In "Halloween Party", Mr. Conklin is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He starts seeing things, such as a large dog in the doctor's waiting room.
* HamToHamCombat: Any episode where Madison High Principal Osgood Conklin faces his archrival, Clay City High School Principal Jason Brill.
* HandGagging: In "Magic Christmas Tree", Miss Brooks puts her hand over Walter Denton's mouth to stop his painfully off-key rendition of "Deck The Halls".
* {{Handgun}}: In "The Stolen Wardrobe", thieves valuable clothes stolen Sherry's with Miss Brooks, tricking her into believing it's a prize for being best dressed teacher at Madison High School. Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton attempt to return the clothes, but are shot at by (in Mr. Conklin's words) "a trigger-happy flat-floot" and flee the store. Later, the police-officer, handgun holdstered, shows up at Mrs. Davis' house.
* HappilyEverAfter: After eight years on the radio, and four on television, Miss Connie Brooks finally gets her happily ever after at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale. Or, to be more accurate, '''Mrs. Connie Boynton''' gets her happily ever after!
* HappilyMarried:
** Osgood and Martha Conklin are very much in love. In the episode "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Mr. Conklin even buys his wife a black sheer negligee for Mother's Day!
** At the end of The Movie Grand Finale, the same applies to Phil Boynton and Connie Boynton nee Brooks. The last few moments of the film sees them leave the zoo arm and arm, and their future home with "The End" superimposed over the shot.
* HappyBirthdayToYou: Miss Brooks' friends gave her a surprise party on the radio, in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Suprise Party"]]. The episode was later remade for television under the title "The Birthday Bag". Miss Brooks starts the rendition to dodge Mr. Conklin's question, ''How old are you?"
-->'''Miss Brooks:''' ''Happy Birthday to me\\
Happy Birthday to me\\
'''Everybody''': Happy Birthday dear [[LastNameBasis Our Miss Brooks]]\\
Happy Birthday tooo you!''
* HardboiledDetective:
** In "Postage Due", Miss Brooks plays the hard boiled detective as she searches for the missing postman.
** "Clay City English Teacher" has Mr. Boynton consciously imitates Sam Spade in an attempt to lure Miss Brooks away from the eponymous teacher.
* HarmlessVillain: Mr. Conklin, when he serves as the antagonist on the series. His schemes usually involve some petty mischief serving his self-aggrandizement or his greed.
** For example, in "Old Marblehead", he shakes down students and faculty by creating a "Carelessness Code" and fining them mercilessly. His goal is to pay for a bust of his head in the school library - and he intends to destroy the existing bust of Julius Caesar to ensure he takes his rightful place. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks simply tricks him into busting the wrong bust.]]
** Another episode, "Home Cooked Meal", sees Mr. Conklin use the cafeteria freezer to freely store his own food. [[spoiler: He buys a freezer of his own, after Miss Brooks and Walter Denton accidently lock him inside]].
** In "The Big Jump", Mr. Conklin plots to force Miss Brooks to jump off the roof of the school as a publicity stunt for a civil defense drill. [[spoiler: Walter Denton lights some smudge pots on the stairs to the roof, leading to Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton jumping off in a panic]]
** In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Mr. Conklin plots to be elected the new Coordinator of Education. [[spoiler: Mr. Stone, the existing board superintendent (or equivalent), forces Mr. Conklin to withdraw by setting the new post's salary as a measly honorarium of %500.00.]]
* HatOfAuthority: In "Public Property on Parade", the Mayor of Madison is seen either wearing his top hat or carrying it about.
* HeadTurningBeauty:
** In "New Girl", all the boys at Madison immediately fall for the titular girl. Worse, from Miss Brooks' perspective, Mr. Boynton starts to fall for her mother.
** The ''Madison Express's'' new lonely hearts columnist. Every man (and boy) in the newsroom literally turns their head to look at her as she walks by.
* HeelFaceTurn: In "Mr. Whipple", Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin are so affected by the story of the eponymous Mr. Whipple, a man who hasn't has a bite of solid food for a week. It turns out Mr. Whipple is a bad tempered miser who's on a liquid diet. No matter, the show of kindness melts Mr. Whipple to the point where he undergoes a heel-face turn and donates the money for Madison's new gymnasium.
* HeldGaze:
** In ''The Magic Tree", before Mr. Boynton kisses Miss Brooks. [[spoiler: It's AllJustADream]].
** Just before, and after, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton share a kiss in the series' [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]].
* HeroicBystander: Clay City High School Principal Jason Brill plays the part when he saves Miss Brooks from falling down an open elevator shaft. Madison High School Principal Osgood Conklin tries to match this feat with a "fake" heroic bystander rescue. [[spoiler: Conklin stages a real rescue when the superintendent, Mr. Stone, himself falls into an open elevator shaft.]]
* HerosClassicCar: Through the series, Walter Denton drives a 1930's style jalopy; also qualified as TheAllegedCar. In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton borrows the car to drive to Crystal Bay and "rescue" Miss Brooks from Lawrence Nolan.
* HiccupHijinks:
** In "Cure That Habit", Mr. Conklin has a bad case of the hiccups and suffers through two hiccup remedies. One is a revolting and ineffective mixture cooked up by Mrs. Davis. The second is student athlete Stretch Snodgrass' attempt to cure Mr. Conklin's hiccups by spinning him around in a chair.
** In "Trial by Jury" and "Mr. Conklin's Love Nest", Mr. Boynton suffers psychosomatic cases of the hiccups from either lying or acute embarrassment.
* HiddenHeartOfGold: Mr. Conklin, a.k.a. "Old Marblehead", may be a pompous, dictatorial, underhanded dictator of a principal, but from time to time he shows his good side:
** In "The Hobby Show" he helps fix broken toys to give to needy children.
** He's a member of the "Citizen's League."
** He helps throw a Christmas Party when he believes Mrs. Davis' sister Angela is dying in "A Dry Scalp is Better Then None."
** He helps Miss Brooks and co. find a missing postman in "Postage Due."
** Offers to adopt orphans in "The Twin Orphans" and "The Miserable Caballero."
** He helps Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis out of problematic situations in "Four Fiances" and "Marriage Madness," among others.
** In "Weekend at Crystal Lake" he is worried that Mr. Boynton is going to repeat ''Literature/AnAmericanTragedy'' and hides under the boat tarpaulin to try and save Miss Brooks.
* HighSchoolDance: A school dance drives the plot in several episodes. "Wishing Well Dance" sees Miss Brooks' hair clipped throughout the day as a gift for Mr. Boynton (to make a pillow for his pet frog). "Mr. Whipple" features Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton as Queen and King of the last dance to be held in the old gymnasium. The costumed dance in "Oh, Dem Gold Slippers" is shown, where Miss Brooks is dressed in a gown.
* HighSchoolHustler: Walter Denton, who was the bane of Principal Osgood Conklin's existence. Not least, because Walter was dating Mr. Conklin's Harriet. On several occasions, Mr. Conklin was the victim of Walter's pranks. For example:
** In "Cure That Habit", Walter applies to an alcoholism treatment program in Mr. Conklin's name; HilarityEnsues when the president of the company warns the head of the board of education that Mr. Conklin is a hopeless drunk.
** "Wild Goose" has Walter trick Mr. Conklin into thinking that he's won a free t.v. from Sherry's Department Store. HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin sends Miss Brooks to pick up his "prize".
** In "Space, Who Needs It?", Walter hides a shotgun pellet and buckshot in Mr. Conklin's homemade telescope. Mr. Conklin thinks he's discovered a new planet and her three moons, which he immediately christens "Conklin Junior". Walter then uses a toy flying saucer and wind-up space men to make Mr. Conklin think Madison is being invaded by space aliens.
* HilarityInZoos: It's a running gag that Mr. Boynton usually takes Miss Brooks to the zoo on their dates.
* TheHilarityOfHats: In "Bargain Hats For Mother's Day," Mrs. Davis asks Miss Brooks to sell the homemade hats she made. They feature an imitation sparrow perched upon imitation fruit. Mr. Conklin buys one for his wife Martha, Mr. Boynton buys one for his mother, Walter Denton gets one to use as a table centerpiece, while GenreRefugee Tex Barton buys one for his horse Lucy. [[HilarityEnsues Unfortunately, the recipients, even Lucy, are fanatics about having individualized wearing apparel . . . .]]
* HintDropping: Miss Brooks drops plenty of hints for Mr. Boynton. He rarely catches on.
* HiredForTheirLooks: In TheMovie GrandFinale, it's implied that the city editor hired the new "Miss Lonely Hearts" entirely on her looks. When she walks to the water cooler, she's the subject of the MaleGaze of every reporter in the room. Including the boss's son (Gary Nolan) and later the boss, Lawrence Nolan.
* HobbesWasRight: This is Mr. Conklin's belief, leastways when it comes to running a high school. Conklin essentially says as much to Miss Brooks in "Spare That Rod!". Conklin's military strictness would later put him under the opprobrium of the school board president, Mr. Stone, in the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale.]]
* {{Hobos}}: Miss Brooks deals with hobos in the episodes "Hobo Jungle" and "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo".
* HollywoodDarkness: Night scenes were usually shot uncommonly well. "The Burglar" and "Public Property on Parade" have nighttime scenes that are about as dark as you'd expect. However, the trope arises in "Wake-Up Plan", where the Conklin's hallway is suspiciously bright.
* HollywoodGenetics: Brown-haired Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have a blonde daughter, Harriet.
* HollywoodKiss: Miss Brooks [[spoiler: dreams she gets one from Mr. Boynton]] in "Magic Christmas Tree". Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks finally share a Hollywood kiss midway through the film.
* HollywoodLaw: In the episode "Hospital Capers". A lawyer (a literal ambulance chaser) gets Mr. Boynton to sign a contract hiring him a counsel; the contract features a hefty penalty if Mr. Boynton chooses to terminate his representation. When Miss Brooks visits the lawyer, he hands her ever larger magnifying glasses to [[ReadTheFinePrint read the contract's fine print]]. {{Lampshaded}} when the lawyer admits to Miss Brooks that he's been disbarred in several states.
* HollywoodNatives: In "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud", the eponymous chief and his wife.
* HollywoodSpelling: Averted in the episode "Suzie Prentisss", where the eponymous Suzie misspells her last name by giving it an extra "s".
* HomemadeSweaterFromHell: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Enright knits one for Mr. Boynton. One arm is terribly short, tight, and cuts off his circulation. The other is far too long.
* HomeSweetHome: [[spoiler: At the end of the film, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks marry and move into the house across the street from Mrs. Davis'.]]
* HotSauceDrinking:
** Mr. Boynton likes hot food. In "Mr. Boynton's Barbeque" he treats Mr. Conklin and Miss Enright to his [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce "mild" barbecue sauce]]. The two run for water.
** In the episode, "The Miserable Caballeros", Mexican boy Ricky Velasco proceeds to put an extraordinary amount of pepper and spices on his lunch. He tells Miss Brooks that he finds American food too bland.
* {{Housewife}}:
** Martha Conklin is a housewife
** Miss Brooks' SeriesGoal is to marry Mr. Boynton. In several episodes (i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton") it is made explicit that Miss Brooks wants to become a fulltime housewife and mother.
* HourglassPlot: The penultimate episode of the television series, "Principal For A Day", has Miss Brooks appointed principal and Mr. Conklin become a History (not English) teacher. Because StatusQuoIsGod, their respective positions are restored at the end. Neither seem to learn much from the episode. Miss Brooks enjoys herself thoroughly, and other than adding feminine touches to her office and spending some quality time with [[LoveInterest Mr. Boynton]] doesn't abuse her power. Mr. Conklin's temporary humility, and appreciativeness to Miss Brooks' giving him the teaching position, is cast off as soon as he becomes principal again. It helps that Mr. Conklin is a pompous JerkWithAHeartOfGold and not an outright villain.
* HowTheMightyHaveFallen: Said by Stretch Snodgrass ([[DumbJock of all people]]) of Mr. Conklin, in the episode "Letter From The Board of Education. Walter Denton speaks the line in the [[SoundtoScreenAdaptation television remake]], "Spare That Rod". [[spoiler: Walter Denton had forged a letter threatening Mr. Conklin with dismissal for being "flagrantly dictatorial" in his disciplinary methods. Mr. Conklin was forcing himself to be meek and humble as a result.]]
* IAmVeryBritish: The visiting English headmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips".
* IAteWhat: In "The Model School Teacher". The editor of ''Snap Magazine'' has eatten CordonBleughChef Mrs. Davis' waffles. He thinks they're good, until he learns what was in it. The joke is ommitted (along with the magazine editor's character) in the [[SoundToScreenAdaptation television remake]] "The Model Teacher".
* IdenticalGrandson: In "The Dream", Miss Brooks' daughter Cleo Boynton is her mirror-image. Similarly, Osgood Conklin Junior looks just like his father.
* IdiotBall:
** Whenever Stretch Snodgrass appears he has idiot ball firmly in hand. i.e. "The Auction", "Stuffed Gopher".
** The same applies to Stretch's brother [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Bones]], i.e. "Marinated Hearing".
** The idiot ball also passes into Walter Denton's clutches on occasion, i.e. "Living Statues", "Cure That Habit".
* IdioticPartnerConfession: The episode "Blue Goldfish" sees Harriet Conklin reveal the truth about Mr. Conklin's much vaunted tolerance to the cold.
* IfIWereARichMan: In "King and Brooks", Miss Brooks dreams about what life would be like married to a maharajah.
* TheIllegal: In the episode "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks, [[ItMakesSenseInContext pretending to be Stretch Snodgrass' parents]], spin [[BlatantLies a story of illegal immigration and a secret marriage to preserve their masquerade]]. Mr. Conklin's daughter Harriet walked in the room, threatening to blow up the scheme when she identifies Mr. Conklin as her father and claimed her mother (Martha Conklin) was nowhere in sight.
--> '''Miss Brooks'''; Your father and I, your father and me, we've been secretly married for sixteen years.
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': But I'm almost seventeen.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': I'm over seventeen. I was hoping you wouldn't notice it.
--> '''Biff Mooney'''': What is this all about? Mrs. Snodgrass, I demand to know the truth!
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': Mrs. Snodgrass!
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': You might as well know the whole story Harriet. As a poor but honest immigrant, I entered this country illegally. Your mother and I started out from the old country together.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': But I, your mother, couldn't make it. They shot me at the border. Of course, years later I was smuggled into the country.
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': With a group of Oriental laborers.
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': Oriental laborers?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Don't look down your nose at me, girl. I helped build Boulder Dam!
* TheIllegible: In the radio episode "Letter to the Education Board", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton struggle to read Stretch Snodgrass' essay. It was remade on television as "Marinated Hearing", where the sloppy essay was written by Stretch's brother Bones.
* ImmoralJournalist: Stephanie Forest in the episodes "The Model Schoolteacher" (the radio original) and "The Model Teacher" (the television remake). Forester is at Madison High School to do a profile on the day in the life of a schoolteacher, but really views her role as that of doing a hatchet job on Miss Brooks - taking as many insulting and unrepresentative photographs as possible. Miss Brooks covertly removes the unflattering photos, and, in the television version, disposes of Miss Forest by noon; Miss Forest receives a telegram stating her editor wants her in Florida, ''immediatley''.
--> '''Stephanie Forest''': Now, as I was saying my dear. I don't want you to do a thing for this picture. Realism is what our readers want. The eyelids practically stuck together, the little straggly clumps of hair flopping over the ears, and those little tired lines around the mouth that look as if you just tasted a raw lambchop. We want you just the way you are!
* ImADoctorNotAPlaceholder: Used in the episode "Suzi Prentiss". Miss Brooks tells Mr. Conklin, "I'm a teacher, not a psychiatrist."
* ImplausibleDeniability: In "Taking the Rap for Mr. Boynton", Miss Brooks tries to frame Mr. Boynton by drawing a cartoon with Mr. Conklin as a mouse in with Mr. Boynton's reports. Mr. Boynton catches her redhanded, and Miss Brooks tries to deny it.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[SarcasmMode Eek, a mouse.]]
* ImprobablyCoolCar: Walter Denton's car is stated to be a jalopy. On the radio, one can leave it up to one's imagination or various uncomplimentary descriptions of the vehicle. However, on television, it was different. On the rare occasion when it's seen up close, or being driven on the street, it appears to be a vintage 1930's or 1940's roadster. If one looks closely, in an early episode Walter placed a custom badge naming his car the "Denton Special". Somewhat averted in TheMovie GrandFinale however, when Mr. Boynton borrows the car four inner tubes go flat. The car is also visibly smoking when Mr. Boynton drives Miss Brooks home from Crystal Bay ([[CanonDiscontinuity Crystal Lake in the rest of the series]]).
* ImprovisedSail: In "An American Tragedy", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin are stranded on a rowboat in the middle of Crystal Lake. Mr. Conklin suggests using Mr. Boynton's shirt as a sail. Miss Brooks ups the ante:
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Let's try to get organized, shall we? Clear thinking is the ticket. Lacking an oar, we shall need to improvise a sail immediately. I shall need a large, white garment. Miss Brooks?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': You won't get a stitch from me.
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Well, then, Boynton. I suggest we use your shirt as a sail.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[LoveInterest Second the motion. And let's throw in his undershirt, too, sir. Ha. His shirt ought to do nicely.]]
* InadvertentEntranceCue: In the episode "Stuffed Gopher", Miss Brooks asks Walter Denton the fatal question "Who could be so stupid?". Into the cafeteria walks [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]].
* IncorruptiblePurePureness:
** Harriet Conklin. Her motives are always displayed as unselfish or honest, in spite of her father Mr. Conklin being oft unprincipled and her boyfriend Walter Denton being an inveterate schemer and practical joker.
** Phillip Boynton, Miss Brooks' LoveInterest. He's considered by everybody to be the "soul of honesty". In "Trial by Jury", it's revealed that trying to lie makes Mr. Boynton break into the hiccups.
* IndianBurialGround: The promise of a large reward sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton searching for one in the episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Indian Burial Ground"]]. The trope is partially subverted as the supernatural plays no role in the program. This is fortunate for Miss Brooks and company, as they end up digging up an empty lot in search of artifacts!
* IndubitablyUninterestingIndividual: Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks' {{Adorkable}} LoveInterest lives this trope. He likes to play chess. He hangs out at the Biologists Club. His other hobbies include leading a Boy Scout troop and taking care of his pet frog [=McDougall=]. He likes to take Miss Brooks to the zoo on their dates. His bedtime is usually ten o'clock, but is known to stay up until eleven on New Year's Eve. In "Hello Mr. Chips", Mrs. Davis remarks his habits are like those of a much older man.
* IndyPloy: In the episode "April Fool's Day", Miss Brooks attends an "Everybody Must Do Something Party". [[spoiler: She stalls for time to avoid Miss Enright embarrassing her with an April Fool's Day joke. Miss Brooks plays the ukulele, sings, recites poetry, finally resorting to reading the phonebook aloud.]]
* INeedToGoIronMyDog: In "Heat Wave", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass all get excused from school and find themselves at a farmer's swimming pond through a variety of lame excuses. Miss Brooks, in fact, runs off telling Mr. Conklin that she has to go to the pond to get water [[ItMakesSenseInContext to put out the fire she accidentally started in his office.]]
* InformedAbility: Miss Brooks is said to be a wonderful English teacher. But given that an episode that was actually showed Miss Brooks teaching high school would be rather dull, one has to take it on trust. The few times she is shown tutoring English, it's played for laughs i.e. The radio episode "English Test" sees her give a crash course to DumbJock Stretch Snograss. This was remade into the television episode, "The Yodar Kritch Award", with [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Stretch's brother Bones]].
* InformedAttractiveness: Apparently, the visiting English schoolmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips" is attractive. You can tell by the reaction of Miss Brooks, Harriet Conklin, and even Mrs. Davis.
* TheIngenue: Harriet Conklin is kind, sweet and optimistic, suprisingly given her father Mr. Conklin is a MrViceGuy. While Miss Brooks is a nice person, she's somewhat too much a DeadpanSnarker to meet this trope.
* InstantIllness: In "Measles", Miss Brooks catches the measles within twelve hours of being exposed to them.
* InstantWakingSkills: Miss Brooks when waken by her alarm clock. Also happens when she's waken by a reporter in "Model Teacher". Sometimes, however, Miss Brooks is simply NotAMorningPerson.
* InstructionalFilm: In "Audio-Visual Experiment", Miss Brooks rents a filmed version of the poem "Lady of the Lake" to show her class after she's left early for the day. Unfortunately, a disgruntled employee of the educational film company had mixed up films and canisters in revenge. The boys in the class stay late to repeatedly watch "Sirens of the Screen, Past and Present". Later on, Mrs. Davis' lady's aid meeting rents "Shearing Sheep in Big Billibong, Australia" only to have a film with scenes backstage in a women's dressing room. The company tries to rectify the mistake by giving Miss Brooks a film about the workings of the board of education, but end up giving her one all about Las Vegas and gambling.
* {{Instrumentals}}/InstrumentalThemeTune: The opening and closing themes, composed by Wilbur Hatch.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Miss Brooks is friends with sixteen-year-old Walter Denton, and, to a lesser extent, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass. However, Miss Brooks herself would surely object to the label!
* InternalReveal: Many times. [[HilarityEnsues Hilarity always ensues]]. Here are a few examples:
** In the "Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Miss Brooks offers to pretend to be Mrs. Boynton - that is, to say Mr. Boynton's ''wife'' - in order to impress the dean of the local college. What Miss Brooks doesn't know, but the audience does, is that she had unwittingly agreed to play the part of Mr. Boynton's ''mother''.
** In "Mrs. Davis reads Tea Leaves", Miss Brooks overhears a conversation between Mr. Boynton and Harriet, and jumps to the conclusion that Mr. Boynton is finally going to marry her and move with her to honeymoon cottage on the edge of town. [[spoiler: The audience hears the entire conversation. It turns out that Mr. Boynton wants to open a summer camp. Cue Miss Brooks stunned reaction when he proposes they have twenty kids (that is to say, campers). Not to mention the fact that Mr. Conklin also attempts to "propose".]]
** Similarly, in "June Bride", Walter Denton and the Conklins assume that Mr. Boynton has finally proposed to Miss Brooks, and the two are to be married that same day. In actuality, Miss Brooks had agreed to be the proxy for Monsieur [=LeBlanc=]'s French bride.
** In "Radio Bombay", a newscast on Walter's homemade radio forecasts the imminent arrival of a strong hurricane. Unfortunately, nobody is around to hear that the newscast originates from Bombay, India.
** In "Spare That Rod", Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass alter a ten year old letter they find addressed to a previous principal. The letter was from the head of the board, accusing the principal of being "flagrantly dictatorial" in his management of the school. They use a typewriter to readdress the letter to Principal Conklin.
** In "Bobbsey Twins In Stir". Mrs. Davis had been arrested after having unwittingly sold forged tickets to the [[RefugeInAudacity policeman's ball]]. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Stone soon end up being drawn into the scheme - and arrested - as well.]]
** Most significantly, in TheMovie. [[spoiler: Mr. Boynton tells Mrs. Davis that he finally intends to propose to Miss Brooks. Mrs. Davis soon reveals all to Miss Brooks, while pretending to tell her fortune.]]
* InTheLocalTongue: "Oo Oo Me Me Tocoludi Gucci Moo Moo", in the episode of the same name. It's the name of an isolated lake deep in the wilderness. It's the local Indians' word for blue.
* IntimidatingRevenueService: In "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves", Miss Brooks is aghast to discover she's recieved a letter from the IRS:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Collector of Internal Revenue! Not what's the matter with him! I paid my taxes in January!
* IResembleThatRemark: In one episode, Miss Brooks suggests Mr. Conklin never had any friends. [[ComicallyMissingThePoint Mr. Conklin replies that as a boy he was very good friends with his mother.]]
* IronicNickname: In "Wild Goose", Miss Brooks refers to DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass as "the brain."
* IShouldWriteABookAboutThis: In the episode "Miss Brooks Writes About A Hobo," Miss Brooks seeks out a hobo to write an article entitled "The Vanishing Hobo." At the end of the episode, the hobo relates he had bought a set of new clothes with the money he earned from writing about "The Vanishing Schoolteacher."
* IsThisThingOn: Miss Brooks tests the microphone before beginning announcing duties at the titular "Walter v. Stretch Grudge Match".
* ItaliansTalkWithHands: Mr. Morelli, an Italian barber in "Four Leaf Clover", lives this trope. He never speaks without gesticulating.
* ItsALongStory: Sometimes, an episode will end with Miss Brooks returning home in the evening to discuss the events of the day with Mrs. Davis.
* ItsThePrincipleOfTheThing: In "Spare That Rod!" Mr. Conklin berates Miss Brooks for not having her blackboard cleared at the end of the day. He had gone into her classroom after school and found that a student had written "Old man Conklin is a birdbrain." When Miss Brooks protests her punishment, Mr. Conklin tells her it's the principle of the thing.
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: In "Wild Goose Chase", Miss Brooks jokes about T.V. being a temporary fad. This had been a common prediction just a few years before the episode aired on television. It ''was'' still a common view when the radio version had played a couple years before.
* IWasHavingSuchANiceDream:
** The earliest radio episodes, including the premier "First Day", would often begin with Miss Brooks dreaming of some romantic/comedic adventure with Mr. Boynton. [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness The format was very quickly dropped]], in favor of a brief introductory narration with Miss Brooks before the main action, and/or a typically offbeat breakfast conversation with landlady Mrs. Davis and student Walter Denton.
-->'''Narrator''': Yes, Connie Brooks can dream . . . .
** Occasionally, later television and radio episodes would feature dreams and abrupt ending thereof.
*** "The Magic Tree" sees Miss Brooks wake up after kissing a [[ItMakesSenseInContext magic-Christmas-tree-influenced]] Mr. Boynton.
*** "King and Brooks" sees Miss Brooks abruptly waken from a dream where she marries a maharajah.
*** [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Dream"]] sees Miss Brooks waken from a dream where she finally marries Mr. Boynton. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks marries Mr. Boynton for real in TheMovie GrandFinale.]]
* IWasQuiteALooker: In "Angela's Wedding", Mrs. Davis' sister Angela claims to be a bathing beauty and provides her future husband, Gregory Farnsworth, with a photo of her from over thirty-years-before. Miss Brooks is asked to break the news that Angela is now a plump, middle-aged woman. Miss Brooks brings along smelling-salts to help break the news. Fortunately, Angela's fiance finds her to be still very attractive.
-->'''Gregory Farnsworth''': Oh, what a doll baby!
-->'''Miss Brooks''': ''(sniffs smelling salts'')
----
* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: Mr. Conklin is frequently seen scraping 0% in his popularity amongst the students and faculty of Madison High School. This is mostly due to his strictness, his pompous nature, as well as his occasional unprincipled actions. For example, without authorization, he forces students to go to "School on Saturday" in the episode of the same name. Or pay arbitrary fines, proceeds going to a bust of Mr. Conklin's head to be placed on the pedestal in the library ("Carelessness Code"). Another low moment for Mr. Conklin was his attempt to raise money to renorvate his office from the student body and the faculty. Not only did nobody donate money in the collection box, Walter Denton stole a dime out of the half dollar Mr. Conklin put in to get the ball rolling! There is, however, one student who ''loves'' Mr. Conklin. ''His daughter'' Harriet!
* AbandonedWarehouse: Miss Brooks and Walter Denton visit the now-abandoned warehouse of the "Jackpot Amusement Company" at the end of "Student Government Day". Miss Brooks pulls the arm of a rigged one-arm bandit machines that had been left behind by the racketeers, winning the jackpot.
* AbandonShip: In "An American Tragedy", Mr. Conklin, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are stranded on a sinking rowboat. Subverted as they are unable to abandon ship, as none of them are wearing lifejackets and only Mr. Boynton can swim.
* AbsurdlyPowerfulStudentCouncil: Averted. Harriet Conklin is Student Council president, and she seems to have no power whatsoever. Her father, Mr. Conklin, [[RepressiveButEfficient runs Madison with an iron fist]]. Similarly, Walter Denton is on the student council, editor of the school paper, and manager of half the school's varsity teams. He has, if possible, even less power. In "Trying to Pick a Fight", Walter calls an extra skull practice. Mr. Boynton chews him out for exceeding his authority.
* AbsurdlyYouthfulMother: In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Miss Brooks unwittingly offers to masquerade as Mr. Boynton's mother. This is in spite of the fact she is actually a couple of years younger than her LoveInterest. ItMakesSenseInContext.
* AccidentalBargainingSkills: In "Mr. [=LeBlanc=] needs $50", when Mr. Conklin offers Miss Brooks $25 to discourage Mr. [=LeBlanc=] from buying his Stutz - Miss Brooks demurs. Mr. Conklin immediately raises his offer to $50.
* AcquiredSituationalNarcissism: In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to grow a mustache. She compliments him on his new appearance, and arranges for other female teachers to do the same. Lo, and behold, Miss Brooks finds she provoked a case of AcquiredSituationalNarcissism in her LoveInterest.
* AdaptationalVillainy: Mr. Conklin was nothing more than a nuisance and a blowhard during the radio show and first three seasons of the TV show. However, when the show was retooled for the fourth season he was turned into a full-on villain who vowed to make Miss Brooks' life miserable and would even try to get her fired. The two went from being frenemies to just plain enemies.
* AdoptTheFood: In "Thanksgiving Turkey", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton save money by buying a live turkey. Miss Brooks quickly grows fond of the turkey, and refuses to help Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton kill her.
* AdultsDressedAsChildren:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Return", Miss Brooks dresses as a small child to get on an airplane free. Given how tall Eve Arden is, it needs to be seen to be believed . . . .
** Or maybe not. "Borrowing Money to Fly", a radio episode, has Miss Brooks try the same trick, and her dialogue and "little girl voice" are funny in and of itself.
** "Turnabout Day" sees the Madison High School faculty dress as children. Miss Brooks dresses in the then-current style for teenage girls, while Mr. Conklin wears a propeller beanie and a WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse shirt.
* AerithAndBob: Everybody has fairly standard names, with the exception of Mr. ''Osgood'' Conklin. Not to mention [[EmbarrassingFirstName Fabian]] Snodgrass.
* AFoolForAClient: In "Trial By Jury" ([[SoundToScreenAdaptation a remake of the radio episode "Traffic Court Reckless Driving"]]), Miss Brooks' defends herself in court after being given a ticket for "speeding, going through a red light, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk, and hitting a [[FruitCart fruit stand]]. Miss Brooks' expertise as an English teacher instead of a lawyer is evident here, at one point she recites Portia's speech from ''Theatre/TheMerchantOfVenice''. Unfortunately, Miss Brooks' defense is doomed from the start as [[DeanBitterman Madison High School's principal Mr. Conklin]] is on the jury. And he's furious at having to abandon plans for a fishing trip "just because some stubborn female insists on a jury trial for a traffic ticket!" Still Mr. Conklin is at least ''partially'' impressed by Miss Brooks' recitation:
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Bravo. Bravo. AND GUILTY AS CHARGED!
* AfterSchoolCleaningDuty: Alluded to occasionally on ''Radio/OurMissBrooks''. In "Spare That Rod!", while cleaning Mr. Conklin's office, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass find an old letter to Mr. Darwell, Mr. Conklin's predecessor as principal. They type Mr. Conklin's name on the ten-year-old envelope . . . HilarityEnsues.
* AgeAppropriateAngst: The dating concerns of teenagers Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass are usually played for laughs. Miss Brooks' problems in her pursuit of Mr. Boynton are often played for laughs, but she elicits considerably more sympathy as well.
* AgelessBirthdayEpisode: "The Birthday Bag" on television, "The Surprise Party" on the radio.
* {{Ahem}}: Sometimes done by Mr. Conklin. For example, when Miss Brooks accidentally telephones him in "Wake Up Plan".
* TheAlcoholic: Two examples, one real, one fake.
** "The Loaded Custodians": the former custodian Mr. Jensen was said to have been dismissed for drunkenness. Curiously, in his few radio appearances (i.e. "Key to the School", "School Safety Adviser"), Mr. Jensen isn't a drunk. His main idiosyncrasy is that he's extremely [[LiteralMinded literal minded]].
** "Cure That Habit": Walter Denton plays a prank, sending a postcard in Mr. Conklin's name to the titular agency. The Head of the Board of Education, Mr. Stone, hears of it and comes to see his supposedly drunken principal. [[spoiler: HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin is suffering from an unfortunate case of the hiccups, having pets mistakenly placed in his office, and being spun around in a chair.]]
* ALessonLearnedTooWell: It happens a couple of times when Miss Brooks tries to make Mr. Boynton less ObliviousToLove:
** In "Poetry Mix-up", Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to read ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'' to make him more romantically-inclined. It backfires when Mr. Boynton postpones a date so he could finish reading the book.
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache'' Miss Brooks encourages Mr. Boynton to grow a mustache; she also encourages her female colleagues to compliment his appearance. This was an effort to make Mr. Boynton less shy. It works too well. Mr. Boynton starts dating three other women.
* AlienInvasion: In "Space, Who Needs It?", Walter Denton tricks Mr. Conklin into believing he's being attacked by aliens from a planet he thinks he's just discovered with his new telescope.
* AllClothUnravels: In "Friday the Thirteenth", Miss Brooks ends up tearing off a lapel on Mr. Conklin's new suit by merely pulling on a loose thread.
* AllegedCar:
** Miss Brooks' car, when she has one. It's almost always in the shop. In fact, the number of episodes (on either radio and television) where she gets to drive her car can be counted on one hand; namely "Game At Clay City", "Who's Going Where", "Four Leaf Clover", "Brooks' New Car" and "Head of the State Board of Education".
** Walter Denton's junky jalopy also definitely qualifies;, although it, at least, is usually in working order. However, Walter often drives it ''sans'' top or even sides.
** A one-time offender was Mr. Conklin's second automobile, ''mostly'' a Stutz. He tries to unload the lemon on the unsuspecting Mr. [=LeBlanc=] in "Mr. [=LeBlanc=] Needs $50".
* TheAllegedSteed: In "Geraldine", Benny Romero talks Miss Brooks into buying a sixteen-year-old swayback mare for the Miss Nestor's school's riding academy. "Geraldine" does prove to be a horse of unique value: it turns out she's expecting and by episode's end gives birth to triplets. In RealLife, the chances of a mare giving birth to live triplets is 1 in 300,000.
* AlliterativeName: [[DumbJock Student athlete]] "Stretch" Snodgrass. Ironically, in "Madison Mascot", it turns out that not only does he not know what alliterative means, [[StrangeSyntaxSpeaker he can't even pronounce the word]].
* AllJustADream: [[spoiler: "The Dream", "Magic Christmas Tree" and "Trying to Forget Mr. Boynton".]]
* AllLoveIsUnrequited:
** Averted with Miss Brooks and her LoveInterest Mr. Boynton. There, her main problem is that Mr. Boynton is too shy or awkward to make a move; or sometimes just wary of a relationship that would end in marriage. For example, in "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Mr. Boynton all but tells Dean Faraday of State University that he would like to someday propose marriage to Connie Brooks. [[spoiler: Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks marry at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale]]
** Played straight with DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass and his unrequited love for Harriet Conklin. Harriet just happens to be the girlfriend of his Walter Denton, his best friend. His resultant depression is a problem in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Stretch Has A Problem"]]. Stretch's sitting with Harriet at the movie theater helps set off a fight with a jealous Walter in "Stretch v. Walter Grudge Match". Finally, Stretch's attempt to "worship [Harriet] from afar" by sending her anonymous love letters, sets off the events of "Poetry Mixup".
** [[SoundToScreenAdaptation "Poetry Mixup" was remade for television]] as "Bones, Son of Cyrano". Only instead of Stretch falling for Harriet, [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute it was his brother Bones.]]
* AllLovingHero: Connie Brooks is a kind and caring person, who frequently goes out of her way to help her friends, pupils and even perfect strangers. An example of the latter occurs in "The Burglar". Here, Connie catches a man breaking into the house and raiding the refridgerator. Instead of turning him in, Connie and Mrs. Davis share breakfast with the man and get him a job filling in for the school custodian.
* AllThatGlitters: In the episode "Indian Burial Ground", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton believe broken toys buried in Mr. Conklin's vacant lot to be valuable Indian artifacts.
* AllWitchesHaveCats: In "Halloween Party", Mr. Boynton observes that the two figures most associated with Halloween are witches and black cats. Miss Brooks is offended when Mr. Boynton, Stretch Snodgrass and Walter Denton all think that she'd be perfect dressed as a witch for the party. Miss Brooks eventually gives in . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Connie Brooks rides tonight!
* AlmaMaterSong: The radio episodes "Clay City English Teacher" and "Mr. Laythrop returns to School" feature the Madison anthem, "O Madison". Miss Brooks adds her own lyrics in parody:
-->O Madison!\\
Thou Madison!\\
(As old as Thomas Addison!)\\
O hallowed halls!\\
(O basketballs!)\\
How short the day!\\
(how short the pay!)\\
When we gray hair at Madison!\\
We'll still be there at Madison!\\
(Hello, Clay City!)
* AlmostKiss: In "Magic Christmas Tree", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton almost kiss under the mistletoe. Unfortunately, Mr. Boynton [[SneezeOfDoom sneezes]] as he's allergic to mistletoe. Later, Mr. Boynton kisses Miss Brooks under the influence of [[ItMakesSenseInContext the magic christmas tree]]. [[spoiler: However, it turns out both the AlmostKiss and the kiss were AllJustADream. The actual TheBigDamnKiss doesn't take place under midway through TheMovie GrandFinale, although Miss Brooks would steal a few minor kisses over the course of the series]].
* AlwaysIdenticalTwins: Subverted in "Connie and Bonnie" when Miss Brooks impersonates her nonexistent twin. Played straight in "Orphan Twins" with Mike and Danny.
* AlwaysInClassOne: As Miss Brooks is the protagonist, and her actual teaching is rarely in focus, it should be largely irrelevant who's in what class. Nevertheless, student characters Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass are almost always stated to be in the same class of Miss Brooks'. This, in a school, with multiple English teachers. Notably subverted in the episode "Faculty Cheerleader", when Mr. Conklin assigns the three to different classes to punish Walter.
* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: In "Blue Goldfish", the titular fish in the aquarium in Mr. Boynton's lab. Miss Brooks initially mistakes it for a tropical fish. The reason it's blue? [[FridgeLogic The fish is cold, because Principal Conklin won't heat the school to a proper temperature.]]
* AmbulanceChaser: In the episode "Hospital Capers". A lawyer (a literal ambulance chaser) gets Mr. Boynton to sign a contract hiring him a counsel; the contract features a hefty penalty if Mr. Boynton chooses to terminate his representation. When Miss Brooks visits the lawyer, he hands her ever larger magnifying glasses to read the contract's fine print. Lampshaded when the lawyer admits to Miss Brooks that he's been disbarred in several states.
* AmusingInjuries: Sometimes Miss Brooks suffers from klutziness around Osgood Conklin, leaving the choleric Mr. Conklin the victim of a variety of slapstick indignities. "Living Statues" involves her opening the door of the Principal's office and slamming it into his face. A variation occurred in "Here Is Your Past" where Miss Brooks accidentally gets Mr. Conklin to sneeze so badly he dislocates his shoulders and cracks his ribs! In TheMovie GrandFinale, Miss Brooks does one better, dropping a barbell on his foot!
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': It's alright Miss Brooks. I have another one!
* {{Angrish}}: Mr. Conklin, on occasion. The following except is from the episode "Clay City English Teacher":
-->'''Mr. Conklin:''' Now, see here Brill. I won't have it. You can't do this. I'll have you...\\
'''Mr. Brill:''' Oh, stop puffing Osgood. You've come to a station.
* AndThatsTerrible: In "The Egg", Mr. Conklin is the DesignatedVillain for wanting to take a photograph of a hatching chick. Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are worried the chick will be harmed by the flashbulbs.
* AnimalReactionShot: Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva and Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall occasionally take an interest in people's conversations. For example, in "The Magic Tree", Mrs. Davis' cat Minerva reacts furiously to Miss Brooks' recital of "A Visit From St. Nicholas"
--> '''Miss Brooks''': T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . . .
--> '''Minerva''': MEOW!
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oops. Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, Minerva.
* AnimalTesting: Part of Mr. Boynton's job as a Biology Teacher is to experiment on animals. ForScience of course. Miss Brooks seems slightly squeamish about the whole thing. It's played for laughs, if anything. One episode, "New Girl In Town", has Miss Brooks assist Mr. Boynton bury mice killed for the cause in the school athletic field. Harriet Conklin, jealous of and attempting to scare off said new girl, implies to the girl's mother that Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are burying ''human'' victims.
* AnimatedCreditsOpening: In the program's original primetime run, the last (1955-1956) season featured the animated opening [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiULeQTwaJQ seen here]]
* AnnoyingLaugh:
** Mrs. Davis' sister Angela has a high pitched laugh, like a schoolgirl. The annoyance comes from the fact that she's a short, middle-aged woman. It's especially notable in the episode "Angela's Wedding".
** Walter Denton has a high, discordant laugh to go along with his squeaky teenage voice. In "Mr. Leblanc Needs $50" his girlfriend Harriet Conklin walks up to him while he's laughing:
-->'''Harriet''': How long have you been standing there, cackling to yourself?
* AnticlimacticParent:
** In "Former Student Visits", Miss Brooks is worried that a visiting former student (who's now a doctor) will reveal her true age (her early thirties) to Mr. Boynton's mother. Mr. Boynton's mother was advising her son to marry a young woman. The cat gets out of the bag; fortunately Miss Brooks' former student's ''father'' was a student of Mr. Boynton's mother in elementary school. The elder Mrs. Boynton then suggests her son marry a woman his age.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, the elder Mrs. Boynton appears near the end of the picture. Agreeing to board with Mrs. Davis, she frees Phillip Boynton to marry Connie Brooks and give Connie [[KarmicJackpot a much deserved]] and [[SeriesGoal long desired]] HappilyEverAfter.
* AntiSchoolUniformsPlot: A variation in the 1949 episode, "Dress Code Protest". Madison High's students proclaim a "Spirit Week". This festival is described by Miss Brooks as a "malevolent Mardi-Gras" where the kids wear outlandish clothes each day of the week. One such day was "Girls wear slacks, boys wear one shoe only. In response to the weeks' "festivities", Principal Conklin institutes a strict dress clothes - among other things, banning girls from wearing pants to school. Walter Denton decides to protest the dress code by wearing clothes banned to the distaff side of Madison High - so he shows up wearing a dress.
* TheArtifact:
** Walter Denton driving Miss Brooks to school was an artifact from the first audition show with actress Shirley Booth. There, Mrs. Davis has a teenaged daughter whom Walter Denton was dating. Mrs. Davis' daughter dumped Walter, leaving him to reluctantly take Miss Brooks to school. Mrs. Davis' daughter was adapted out by the time Eve Arden auditioned for the role, leaving it unexplained how it came about that Walter drives Miss Brooks to school almost every morning. One supposes it's just because Walter's a TeachersPet.
** "Stretch" Snograss' nickname was an artifact from the radio episode where he was first introduced, "Stretch the Basketball Star." His nickname is said to come about from the fact he's six foot five inches tall. When the program went to television, its readily apparent Leonard Smith, the actor who played Snodgrass, was nowhere near that height (and is, about the height of Eve Arden). Its never again explained how he became known as "Stretch." The fact is lampshaded in the episode "Baseball Slide."
-->'''Miss Brooks''' (in greeting): Why, Stretch.
-->'''Stretch Snodgrass''': [[LiteralMinded I don't know. That's what everybody calls me.]]
* ArtisticTitle: In syndication, Our Miss Brooks has the title and opening credits appearing on a blackboard. One of the openings used during the show's run had the opening credits also appearing on a blackboard, with Miss Brooks herself erasing them - only for the next set of credits to appear to the consternation of a confused Miss Brooks!
* AsideComment: Miss Brooks makes aside comments sometimes, under the guise of talking to herself. This is more prevalent on the radio than on television.
* AsideGlance: Miss Brooks does this a few times in the [[TheMovie the theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], i.e. her confused expression upon meeting Mrs. Davis. However, her expressions were very much testament of her feelings rather than an attempt to break the fourth wall.
* ASimplePlan: "The Birthday Bag" sees Miss Brooks' friends try to throw her a surprise birthday party and buy her an alligator skin purse as a gift. HilarityEnsues.
* AskAStupidQuestion: Miss Brooks sometimes resorts to giving a stupid answer in response.
* AsleepInClass:
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", [[DumbJock star athlete]] Stretch Snodgrass' late nights [[ItMakesSenseInContext "rumbering"]] cause him to fall asleep in school. In this case, it's not the dimwitted student's marks that are at stake, but Madison's winning the big football game with Clay City High.
** Another episode has Walter Denton accidently blurt to Miss Brooks that he sometimes takes "forty winks" in his class, because his teacher would have to be a "cockeyed wonder" to see him napping in his seat behind Stretch. To Walter's horror, he realizes Miss Brooks is the "cockeyed wonder" to whom he was referring.
* AssemblyLineFastForward: In "Vitamin E-4", Mr. Conklin, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton make a mess when manufacturing the eponymous "vitamin".
* {{Auction}}: In "The Auction", [[SoundToScreenAdaptation a radio episode remade for television]], Madison High School holds an auction to raise funds for children's playground equipment. A local philanthropist even donates an entire house full of furniture. HilarityEnsues when DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass mixes up addresses, and Miss Brooks inadvertently auctions off Mr. Conklin's furniture instead:
--->'''Miss Brooks''': [[OhCrap Mr. Conklin . . . it was your house!]] . . . Well, there's only one way to settle this. Gather round, folks, gather round. What am I bid for me and Stretch Snodgrass?
* BackseatDriver: In "Game At Clay City", Mr. Conklin appoints himself navigator and gives a steady stream of orders to Miss Brooks.
* BackToSchool: The episode "Mr. Lathrop Returns to School". Mr. Lathrop (voiced by Jim Backus) is a successful entrepreneur and self-made man, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin choosing to return to school to complete his high school diploma.]] Unfortunately, Mr. Lathrop insists on rearranging school clubs and school management in the manner of a corporation, and being a friend of the Head of the Board, is able to do this unopposed. Miss Brooks resorts to a ZanyScheme; she invites her landlady Mrs. Davis and one of Mrs. Davis' elderly friends to go in a new class with Mr. Lathrop. Mr. Lathrop flees Madison High School when he finds himself in a combination sewing circle and day nursery for Mrs. Davis' friends' grandchild.
* BadBadActing: In "Acting Director", the school faculty tries to impress a visiting talent scout from Creator/WarnerBrothers. Features over-the-top bad acting from Mr. Conklin, Mr. Munsee, Mr. Talbot. The episode ends when Miss Brooks herself tries to impress with an overemotional (and dressed) portrayal of Lady Godiva!
* BadLiar: Mr. Boynton is a terrible liar. In "Trial by Jury", it's revealed the very act of lying gives him a psychosomatic case of the hiccouphs.
* BadLuckCharm: "Four Leaf Clover" has Miss Brooks find the unlucky charm. Lo and behold, all four tires of Miss Brooks' car blow, she's forced to pay a large fine for stepping on a lawn, she knocks over a table of trinkets in front of the store, is threatened with arrest by a policeman, and is finally quarantined in the same building as Mr. Conklin. Miss Brooks gives the unlucky clover to a dishonest car mechanic.
* BadlyBatteredBabysitter: Miss Brooks falls victim to this trope in "Babysitting for Three", "Babysitting New Year's Eve" and "Measles".
* BadToTheLastDrop: Mrs. Davis' coffee was usually fine (the time she made "Bulgarian Coffee" notwithstanding). However, being a CordonBleughChef, Mrs. Davis sometimes makes horrid liquid (albeit non-alcoholic) drinks that are truly BadToTheLastDrop.
* BarbershopEpisode:
** In the radio episode, "The Hair-Do", Miss Brooks goes to the beauty salon. SitcomArchNemesis Daisy Enright tells Antoine to give Miss Brooks an inappropriate hairdo.
** To a lesser degree, "Fargo Whiskers". Harriet advises Miss Brooks that she can get more interest from Mr. Boynton by changing her hairstyle. Miss Brooks goes to the hairdresser and gets a hairstyle with three buns on the side and the back. Later, Miss Brooks tries a series of wigs. Unfortunately, some misinformation from Miss Brooks' landlady Mr. Davis makes Mr. Boynton think that Miss Brooks is only getting new hairstyles is because Brooks' suffering from overwork.
* BarelyThereSwimwear: In the episode "Friday the Thirteenth"; while looking through a photo album with Mrs. Davis, Connie finds a photo of herself in a "French model bathing suit". The picture's described as unsuitable for the yearbook, although Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are very impressed with the revealing photo nonetheless.
* TheBartender: In "Babysitting New Year's Eve", Mrs. Davis has a friend who's a bartender. She invites him over to prepare the punch for her New Year's party. Mrs. Davis' bartender friend is allowed New Year's off as a condition of his employment. The reason? [[FridgeLogic The bartender hates drunks.]]
* BathsAreFun: In "Stretch Has A Problem", Miss Brooks' "feet were ready to come off" participating in a snake dance. The rally was held in honor of the Madison High School basketball team's departure to the state tournament. The sore and tired Miss Brooks spends the rest of the episode trying to take a bath. Alas, she's continually interrupted by somebody coming to the door before she can get into the tub:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': ''(singing, while filling the bathtub with water)'' Singing in the bathtub, nothing can go wrong. Singing in the bathtub . . . .
-->''Doorbell rings''
--> '''Miss Brooks''': ''(singing)'' [[DeadpanSnarker Oh, I should live so long!]]
* BatmanInMyBasement: In "The Jockey", Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis hide a jockey ''and his racehorse'' in their garage until he can win a big race and pay his debts.
* BatmanParody: In the episode "New School TV Set" (aired 1951), Miss Brooks and Mrs. David criticize the television set at school as scholastically and culturally useless. All the students were watching were westerns, murder mysteries and horror stories. Miss Brooks remarks that there was one semi-educational program on the day before, "The Batman Eat Up The Dean of Harvard" - suggesting Miss Brooks is joking, but doesn't realize who or what Batman is.
* BavarianFireDrill: Mr. Conklin places himself in charge practically ''everywhere'' he goes. This is in spite of the fact that his authority as principal is really only good at Madison High School. The "Thanksgiving Show" is a good example. Mr. Conklin arrives at Mrs. Davis' house and quickly puts himself in command, ordering about the others in the setup of the dining room table.
* BeautifulDreamer: At the end of "Wake Up Plan", Mr. Boynton falls asleep on a chair in the hall. Miss Brooks doesn't wake him up, but sits beside him. Mr. Boynton whistles in his sleep!
* BeleagueredAssistant: In "The Dancer", Miss Brooks discusses with Mrs. Davis the fact that Mr. Conklin can never hold onto a secretary. Fed up with being yelled at by the hotheaded principal, they inevitably quit. The newest secretary quit before she started, she heard Mr. Conklin yelling at her predecessor. The result? Miss Brooks is forced to play the role of Mr. Conklin's beleaguered assistant when he finds himself without a secretary . . . Hilarity Ensues.
* BellyDancer: Belly dancers appear in Miss Brooks' India themed dream in the episode "King and Brooks".
* BetaCouple: The alpha couple was Miss Brooks' '''slow''' romance with ObliviousToLove Phillip Boynton. In the background, was the often goofy teenaged romance of beta couple Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin.
* BettyAndVeronica: Miss Enright was another, more glamorous English teacher who competed with Miss Brooks for Boynton's affection.
* BewareOfViciousDog: Mr. Whipple's guard dogs in the episode "Mr. Whipple".
* BigBrotherIsWatching: The point of Mr. Conklin's "Project X" in the episode of the same name. Mr. Conklin's system allows him to listen in to what's going on in every room in the school, including the female faculty room, the boiler room, and the roof.
* TheBigDamnKiss: In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton is jealous of Miss Brooks spending time with millionaire Lawrence Nolan. Wondering how he can compete with a millionaire, Miss Brooks suggests that "a good offense is the best defense." Mr. Boynton is initially [[ObliviousToLove clueless as per normal]]. Suddenly, he has a EurekaMoment, his eyes lights up, goes back to the Mrs. Davis' door and passionately kisses Miss Brooks. [[WhamShot Something he hadn't had nerve to do for the previous eight years of radio or eight years of television.]]
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Like, wow.
* TheBigEasy: In one episode, Mr. Boynton falsely claims to have learnt some French serving in the army [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII during the war]]. A skeptical Miss Brooks counters that Mr. Boynton was stationed in the United States, and he knew it. Mr. Boynton insists that he was stationed in New Orleans, and spent a lot of time in the French Quarter.
* BigFancyHouse:
** Mr. Whipple, in the episode of the same name, lives in mansion guarded by vicious dogs.
** In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] the Nolans live in a large mansion, complete with a butler and additional servants.
* BigFriendlyDog: The eponymous dog in "Peanuts, The Great Dane".
* BigSecret:
** In "Stolen Aerial," Miss Brooks is able to get a discount from a wolfish television repairman who wants to go out with her. Miss Brooks is advised to keep her discount a secret so as not to get many more freeloaders wanting the same deal. Too late, Mrs. Davis and Walter Denton had already let the cat out of the bag. Miss Brooks gets deluged with broken aerials and even television sets needing repair. However, Miss Brooks keeps her promise; she hides the real reason for her sudden television-equipment windfall from Mr. Conklin. Unfortunately, the television repairman had accidentally lent Miss Brooks Mr. Conklin's checkered television aerial. Mr. Conklin concludes Miss Brooks is a [[Literature/OliverTwist "female Fagin"]], using Mr. Boynton and several high school students to run a television-equipment theft ring.
** The BigSecret trope again appears in "The Jewel Robbery." Mr. Conklin accidentally breaks a jewelry store window when carrying a bad a laundry to the cleaners. Conklin believes the police want him for the inadvertent vandalism. In reality, they're looking for a thief who had robbed the jewelry store a short time before.
* BigStormEpisode: In the episode "Radio Bombay", Miss Brooks and the Madison High gang are convinced that a fierce hurricane is on the way. The only problem is that the broadcast they're listening to originates from Bombay, India . . . .
* BigWordShout: "Now GO!", Mr. Conklin's favored expression when ordering someone out of his office. He make extensive use of this trope on other occasions as well!
* BindleStick: In "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo", the "Earl of Peoria" is mentioned as carrying a bindle stick. Later, when Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, Mr. Conklin, and Mrs. Davis [[ItMakesSenseInContext masquerade as hobos in order to apprehend the titular hobo]], they also have bindle sticks in their gear.
* BirthdayEpisode / BirthdayPartyGoesWrong: A mild example is the episode "The Birthday Bag" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of the radio episode "The Surprise Party"). The Conklins are throwing Miss Brooks a surprise birthday party at six o'clock, however, she visits the Conklins to try and buy a purse from Harriet at five o'clock. As a result, when Miss Brooks' friends arrive at the house to help setup the party, they each exclaim "MISS BROOKS!"
--> '''Miss Brooks''': If anyone says Miss Brooks once more, I'm going to change my name to Elsie Pumpernickel!
** While the surprise was partially ruined, the party eventually goes off well with everyone giving Miss Brooks her present, and singing Happy Birthday!
* BlackComedyBurst: At the crisis point in [[TheMovie the theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], a depressed Miss Brooks jokes about playing Russian Roulette.
* {{Blackmail}}: In "Threat to Abolish Football", Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass derail Mr. Conklin's [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin threat to abolish football]] through blackmail. Mr. Conklin had been using the school shop class to fix his roof, an act that could get him fired. Mr. Conklin relents and allows football to continue at Madison High School. However, Mr. Conklin gets the last laugh. He arm-twists Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton into shingling his roof.
* BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce: In the episode "Mr. Boynton's Barbeque", Mr. Boynton prepares a "mild" hot sauce for his cookout as he believes his usual sauce would be too much for his guests. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks and Walter Denton cook up a blazing mixture of tabasco and horseradish to spring on Miss Brooks' rival Miss Enright. However, a mix-up results in Miss Brooks receiving her own doctored dish. No matter, Miss Brooks can hold her hot sauce. She eats calmly and remains a DeadpanSnarker throughout. The same can't be said of Miss Enright and Mr. Conklin. They eat Mr. Boynton's supposedly minor sauce and run away practically screaming for water!]]
* BlindingCameraFlash: The obnoxious reporter in "The Model Teacher" subjects Miss Brooks to several.
* BlindWithoutEm: Mr. Conklin and Mrs. Davis. Mr. Conklin suffers this trope with a vengeance in "Living Statues" and "Cure That Habit".
* {{Blipvert}}: In "The Auction", Miss Brooks suggests a blipvert to cheaply advertize a charity auction at Madison High School:
-->'''Mr. Conlin''': Miss Brooks, do you have any idea how much a thirty second spot announcement costs?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Well, we don't have to buy thirty seconds. We can buy about five, and say something quick, like "Today. Auction. Madison High School."
-->'''Harriet Conklin''': But Miss Brooks. That sounds like we're auctioning off the school.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker Is that bad?]]. I mean, if the object is just to lure people over . . . .
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Any '''feasible''' suggestions?
* BluffWorkedTooWell: In "Do-It-Yourself". Miss Brooks wants to borrow Mr. Conklin's tools to build herself a night-table . . . unfortunately, Mr. Conklin won't lend his tools to amateurs. Walter Denton "helps" Miss Brooks by describing her as an expert carpenter, who even built her landlady, Mrs. Davis, a gazebo in the backyard. Mr. Conklin, instead of lending Miss Brooks his tools, decides to have Miss Brooks build him a new garage.
* BluntMetaphorsTrauma: Stretch Snodgrass is prone to this, along with his generally mangled grammar. For example, he once says "let's put all of our heads together". Another time ("Two Way Stretch Snodgrass") he mentions having a "king in his lingament".
* BookSmart: Harriet Conklin, usually scoring marks in the 90% range. In the episode "The English Test", a whole row of students tries to copy off her! In contrast, her LoveInterest Walter Denton is a shrewd HighSchoolHustler but very much in the BookDumb category.
* {{Bookworm}}: Mr. Boynton. In "Bones, Son of Cyrano", Mr. Boynton goes so far as to break a date with Miss Brooks so he can finish ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac''.
* BornInTheSaddle: Tex Barton, a teenaged cowboy who makes a few radio appearances.
* TheBoxingEpisode: [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Walter vs. Stretch Grudge Match" concludes with a boxing match between Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass.]]. Miss Brooks is the ringside announcer, and Mr. Conklin is the referee.
* BrainsAndBrawn: Generally describes the friendship between HighSchoolHustler Walter Denton and his best friend, DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass. Sometimes applies to Stretch's [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute brother]] Bones as well. In the two different radio episodes titled "The Moving Van", the two teenage pals go into the moving business. Walter outright states that he's the brains of the operation. In one version, "Stretch" is the brawn. In the other, "Bones.
* BriefAccentImitation: In "The Miserable Cabelleros", Miss Brooks briefly imitates her eleven-year-old friend Benny Romero's accent. Once as a light joke, and the second time to test Mr. Conklin's resolve in sending the boy home to his uncle.
* BritishStuffiness: The very British public school headmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips." While quintessentially British, he's a youngish man who gets around fairly well with everyone at Madison. Mr. Conklin, interesting enough, was expecting a much stricter man and had even dictated that Miss Brooks (and the rest of the faculty) wear funereal black so as not to hurt his sensibilities.
* BrokenGlassPenalty: Completely subverted in the episode "Two Way Stretch". Mr. Conklin begins to reprimand [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]] for kicking a football through the window of his inner office:
-->'''Mr. Conklin:''' I thought I told you to confine your practicing to the other end of the field.\\
'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' But I did Mr. Conklin. That's where I kicked it from.\\
'''Mr. Conklin:''' Well, there's actually no excuse in the world for you to... nice kick boy!
* BuffySpeak: Teenage Walter Denton, although a great one for SesquipedalianLoquaciousness, sometimes mixes advanced vocabulary, current slang and awkward phrasing. The following example is a petition he writes for the episode "Cafeteria Boycott". Note the oddball combination of 50's slang, extensive "borrowing" from the Declaration of Independence, and assorted legalese:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Whereas and to wit--\\
'''Miss Brooks''': [[RedScare That's pretty strong language, isn't it? A little on the pink side.]]\\
'''Harriet Conklin''': Listen, Miss Brooks.\\
'''Walter Denton''': When in the course of student's events, it becomes necessary to turn one's back on one's stomach, we the undersigned, exercising our constitutional right to peaceably assemble, and to form a committee to seek the redress of grievances, do hereby announce our firm intention of the Madison High School Cafeteria only to use the tables, chairs, water, napkins and toothpicks provided therein. Until such a time that the duly appointed party or parties, namely Mr. Osgood Conklin, principal, or the Board of Education, responsible for the operational bog-down that has befallen this installation, do take such action that will improve the food, lower the prices and better the service in said cafeteria. It is also recommended the person, or persons, in whom this authority is vested, immediately see that the present chef in charge of preparing the food, and without any further frippery or fanfare, chuck him the heck off the premises. Well, Miss Brooks, what do you think of it?\\
'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker How much do you want for the picture rights]]?
* BuriedTreasure: The promise of a large reward sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton search for a lost Indian Burial Ground in the episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Indian Burial Ground"]].
* BusmansVocabulary: Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Miss Enright are erudite on and off the job.
* CallOfTheWildBlueYonder: At the beginning of "Surprise Party", Miss Brooks dreams about literally flying away with Mr. Boynton:
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': [[PurpleProse Ah, my darling Constance! You're so lovely! So desirable! I feel I could fly on the wings of our love! Won't you join me Constance, on a flight to paradise?]]
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker Contact!]]
* {{Calvinball}}: In the episode "Parlor Game", Miss Brooks invents a convoluted parlor game in order to annoy Mr. Conklin and, in so doing, convince him to allow his family to go out for the evening.
* TheCameo: Desi Arnaz makes a brief appearance in "King and Brooks".
* CaptiveAudience: Anytime there's a school event or assembly, Mr. Conklin makes it mandatory for students and teachers to attend. The fact the event is happening outside school hours is rarely an excuse, especially for Miss Brooks.
* CannotTellAJoke: Mr. Boynton is rarely if ever able to tell a joke in a way that would be funny. The humor comes from the lameness of his attempt, and Miss Brooks' [[DeadpanSnarker response]] - [[OfficialCouple although, Miss Brooks once mentions she loves this corniness.]]
* CanonDiscontinuity: Due to ExecutiveMeddling, the final season of the TV series had Madison High torn down for a freeway, and Miss Brooks sent off to teach at a L.A. private elementary school. The radio series ignored this development, and continued at Madison High as per usual. When [[TheMovie the cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]] was released the following winter, it also ignored the final TV season. [[spoiler: At the end of the movie, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton marry and live HappilyEverAfter.]]
* CanonForeigner: LonelyRichKid Gary Nolan and his neglectful father, Lawrence Nolan, only appear in TheMovie GrandFinale. The resentful and neglected Gary provides Miss Brooks with a student to tutor to show just how good a teacher she is. Lawrence Nolan becomes a DisposableLoveInterest, he provides a good dose of jealousy that shakes Miss Brooks' longtime LoveInterest Mr. Boynton into action. He finally gives Miss Brooks a BigDamnKiss, they move onto FirstNameBasis, and (through some last minute scheming by Miss Brooks' landlady Mrs. Davis) Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks at last get married.
* CareerVersusMan:
** In a few episodes, Miss Brooks' intention is said to be to retire from teaching and raise a family after she's married(i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton"). This is in spite of the fact she is a good teacher, dreamed of being one since childhood (i.e "Here is Your Past") and (mostly) enjoys it. It's just that being a full-time wife and mother seems to be part of Miss Brooks' SeriesGoal after marrying Mr. Boynton.
** It's unclear if Miss Brooks would even be able to continue on at Madison High School after her marriage, should she want to. The program ran from 1948-1956 at a time of different societal expectations. In an early radio episode, "Head of the English Department", the departing woman in the position retires when she's going to have a baby. On the other hand, in "Aunt Mattie Boynton", Mr. Boynton talks with reverence about his aunt who taught several subjects at school ''and'' took care of her husband and nine children. So it may be a matter of preference.
** In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton and "June Bride" Mr. Conklin is afraid that Miss Brooks will immediately quit her job upon marrying. This would cause him the trouble of having to promptly look for a replacement teacher. Miss Brooks' retirement from teaching is assumed by Mr. Boynton when he's finally ready to propose in the TheMovie GrandFinale. Boynton is saving his money so he'll be able to support the a wife. Although Connie Brooks and Phillip Boynton marry at the end of TheMovie. However, it's never mentioned if Miss Brooks retires from teaching immediately, or waits until their first child to be housewife full-time.
* CaretakerReversal: A CaretakerReversal ''revolving door'', in "Old Age Plan."
** The story begins with Mrs. Davis having cared for her sister Angela, and falling ill from Angela's complaining. By the end of the episode, Mrs. Davis has recovered and Angela has again become ill from Mrs. Davis' complaining.
** ''Meanwhile'', Miss Brooks had spent the episode shilling Mrs. Davis and Angela's club's old age plan to Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin. The two men end up suffering psychosomatic symptoms of old age.
** Miss Brooks decides to invite them over to Mrs. Davis' house, and fake the symptoms of old age to distract Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin from their symptoms. The climax of the episode has Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin rapidly experiencing illness and being placed on the sofa with a blanket and ice pack in turn.
* CarryingACake: Several episodes see Miss Brooks accidentally collide with Mr. Conklin, lunch in hand.
* CatchPhrase: Walter's "Hiya, Miss Brooks!", Conklin's "...now GO" when trying to get rid of someone.
* CatchYourDeathOfCold: The trope appears in any episode where Mr. Conklin is being particularly stingy in maintaining the school's heat; most notably "Blue Goldfish".
* CatsAreLazy: Minerva, Mrs. Davis' pet cat, has her moments:
** In "The Frog", Minerva spends all day sleeping inside the piano.
** In "The Magic Tree", Minerva gets drunk sipping on pine needles. She then spends hours sleeping in Miss Brooks' lap as they rock in a chair:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Jingle Bells!
--> Jingle Bells!
--> Merry stuff like that!
--> Oh what fun it is to rock!
--> With a big fat drunken cat!
* ChainOfDeals: In "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud", Miss Brooks sets up a chain of deals to get a new coat. Unfortunately, Chief Thundercloud cuts in and ruins her scheme . . . that is, until it turns out the patient and longsuffering Mrs. Thundercloud demands the chief get her a housecoat from Miss Brooks.
-->'''Chief Thundercloud:''' Squaw, be quiet!
* ChaosArchitecture: In the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], most of the Warner Brother's sets are ''similar'' to those previously used on the Desilu produced television episodes. The sets are, however, more elaborate as befitting the concluding film's theatrical release. The one major difference is Mr. Boynton's biology lab. Shown previously as essentially a small office with some cages and posters, it is seen as an enormous darkened classroom with ''many'' cages and aquariums.
* CharacterNarrator: After a brief introduction by the announcer, Miss Brooks provides her own brief introduction and a few lines of narration after sponsor breaks or sets up the scene for the episode. This is mostly confined to the radio, however Miss Brooks occasionally provides narration on television as well. Most notably "Who's Who" in the fourth season.
* CharacterTitle: The show's named for Constance (Connie) Brooks of course!
* ChattyHairdresser: Antoine, who runs a beauty saloon in the episode ''The Hair-do''. He admits to Miss Brooks that he doesn't like Miss Enright, though she sends him many customers. Later, Miss Enright leans on him to give Miss Brooks a funny hair treatment. The character is played by character actor Frank Nelson, in much the same way as Frank Nelson played opposite Jack Benny.
* CheapCostume: "Halloween Party" sees Walter Denton dress up as a BedsheetGhost. Meanwhile, Mr. Boynton puts together a skeleton costume, Stretch Snodgrass disguises himself as Hopalong Cassidy, and Miss Brooks announces her intention to masquerade as a witch.
* ChekhovsGun: Phone booths play a key role in a couple episodes:
** In "Key to the School", Mr. Conkin and Miss Brooks use the phone booth at Marty's Malt Shop to place a call to board superintendent Mr. Stone, after everybody is locked out of Madison High.
** In "Monsieur [=LeBlanc=]", Walter Denton calls Mrs. Davis' house from a phone booth pretending to be a Spaniard interested in purchasing Mr. Conklin's car.
* ChewingTheScenery: Principal Osgood Conklin is a very pompous man. Played by the great Gale Gordon, Mr. Conklin's especially over-the-top when he's angry or excited.
* ChineseLaborer: In "Two Way Stretch", in order to save a FawltyTowersPlot from going off the rails, Miss Brooks pretends to be secretly married to Mr. Conklin. She claims the reason the marriage was secret was that she entered the country illegally in company with "Oriental labourers". It MakesSenseInContext.
* ChocolateFrostedSugarBombs: Mrs. Davis refers to the noisy crackling of most cereals in one episode, when she makes Miss Brooks a bowl of sugar coated pine needles as a "quiet" alternative.
* ChristmasCarolers: "The Magic Christmas Tree": When the Conklins, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton pay Miss Brooks a visit on Christmas Eve, they regale her with a rendition of "Deck The Halls". [[spoiler: Miss Brooks places her hand over Walter's mouth midway through, to stop his off-key adolescent squeaking.]]
* ChristmasEpisode: Several; i.e. "Christmas Gift Mix-up", "Christmas Show", "Department Store Contest", "The Magic Tree".
* ChristmasInJuly
** In the episode "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None", Mrs. Davis' hypochondriac sister Angela pretends to be dying. Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton throw her an early Christmas, Angela's favorite holiday.
** In the radio episode "The Telegram", Mrs. Davis' Uncle Corky sends a telegram giving notice that he'll be visiting for a week. A series of missteps leads to the telegram being partially burned, and interpreted as Uncle Corky saying he has a week to live. Miss Brooks, Mrs. Davis, the Conklins and Walter Denton throw Uncle Corky a Christmas party in July.
* ChronicallyCrashedCar: In early radio episodes, Miss Brooks' is frequently getting into car accidents. By the time the show began broadcasting on television, this becomes far more rare. However, in "Trial by Jury" and "Miss Brooks' New Car", HilarityEnsues after collisions with a fruit stand.
* ClassTrip: In the episode "Heat Wave", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton each try to win permission to take their respective classes to Fisher's Farm. Fisher's Farm just happens to be the location of "the ol' swimming hole" (everyone's wearing their bathing suit under their regular clothing). Mr. Boynton gets ultimately permission to take his biology class down; Miss Brooks needs to rely on LoopholeAbuse to join the others.
* ClassyCane:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Mr. Boynton tells Miss Brooks he's considering buying a cane to invoke this trope.
** In "Blind Date", Mr. Boynton carries a classy cane so his blind date will recognize him; he had broken up with Miss Brooks after an argument. Unbeknownst to Boynton (and Miss Brooks), the blind date was scheme to get the two back together, and Boynton's date ''is'' Miss Brooks. Mr. Conklin, in a case of ExactEavesdropping, overhears Boynton's blind date calling on the phone (actually his daughter, Harriet, speaking with a Southern accent). Conklin and mistakes it for an old college flame, Lula May Calhoun, whom Conklins wants out of town and away from his wife. Mr. Conklin shows up with cane in hand to beg her to leave; again, it's ''actually'' Miss Brooks, carrying a parasol.
* CleanPrettyChildbirth: In "The Egg", when the chick hatches it hatches completely dry. In reality, the newly-hatched chicken would have been wet and taken some time to dry off.
* ClothingSwitch: In "Madison Country Club", Miss Brooks spills breakfast on her dress. She borrows a dress belonging to her elderly landlady Mrs. Davis. A kind gesture by Mrs. Davis, but Miss Brooks ends up going to school looking absurd. HilarityEnsues.
* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}: Mrs. Davis. She sometimes forgets what she's saying in the middle of a sentence.
* ClownCarBase: The episode "Oo-Me-Me Tocoludi Gucci Moo Moo" has the gang squeeze into a tiny trailer.
* CluelessChickMagnet: Mr. Boynton, by way of a combination of ObliviousToLove and bashfulness. He's the object of Miss Brooks' affection. And Miss Enright's. And an obnoxious reporter for SNAP magazine in the "Model Teacher". And the newly hired biology teacher in "Life Can Be Bones". And a Phys. Ed. teacher in "Connie and Frankie" . . . . Miss Brooks finally gets her man in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] GrandFinale.
* ColdSnap: A few episodes of ''Our Miss Brooks depend on winter weather for their humor.
** "Blue Goldfish" sees Mr. Conklin very miserly with the furnaces' coal supply, thus keeping Madison High School cold ''inside'' during the winter weather. This was a [[SoundToScreenAdaptation television remake]] of the radio episode "Lack of Coal at Madison".
** "Going Skiing", a radio episode, sees Miss Brooks go skiing with Mr. Boynton. HilarityEnsues when Miss Brooks uses Walter Denton's new ski-fasteners.
** "Winter Outing", another radio episode, sees Madison High's faculty and students continue a tradition started by school founder, Yodar Kritch. A winter picnic in frosty Kritch Canyon .
* ColdTurkeysAreEverywhere: In "Connie Tries To Forget Mr. Boynton", [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin when Connie tries to forget Mr. Boynton]], every stranger she meets looks and sounds like Mr. Boynton. The "Misters Boynton" Miss Brooks meet include, but aren't limited to, the American Ambassador to India, an elderly postman, a matron, a fourteen year old boy and a newborn baby. [[spoiler: Fortunately, it's AllJustADream.]]
* CollaredByFashion:
** Walter Denton wears a large frilled collar when he dresses as Romeo for "The Festival".
** Mr. Boynton wears a Sir Walter Raleigh costume with a frilled collar in "Madison Country Club". Mr. Boynton again affects a frilled collar when he dresses as Prince Charming for the masquerade ball in "Oh Dem Gold Shoes".
* ComedicSpanking: Mike and Danny's fate in "Orphan Twins". Let's say they had it coming.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oh, isn't that cute? They stopped on the front lawn, and Sergeant Gillis just lifted Danny up and put him across his knees.
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': Across his knees?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Yes. Now the sergeant's raising his hand, now the hand's coming down. Well, what do you know?
--> '''Mr. Boynton''': What is it Miss Brooks?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': At last those big tears are for real!
* ComicallyIneptHealing: In "First Air Course", Miss Brooks purposely invokes this trope to avoid teaching the eponymous program.
* ComicallyMissingThePoint: This happens quite often:
** Almost any time Miss Brooks suggests anything romance-related to ObliviousToLove Mr. Boynton:
--->'''Miss Brooks:''' In these boyhood fights, Mr. Boynton, was there any girls involved?\\
'''Mr. Boynton:''' Gosh, no, Miss Brooks. I wouldn't hit a girl.\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' [[SarcasmMode Well, bravo for you]].
** Any time Miss Brooks tries to correct Stretch or Bones Snodgrass' grammar:
--->'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' Miss Brooks, you done it again.\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' Please Stretch, I did it again.\\
'''Stretch Snodgrass:''' I don't blame you for bragging.
** Many other occasions as well. For example, this exchange with Walter Denton:
--->'''Miss Brooks:''' Walter, George Eliot was not a gentleman.\\
'''Walter Denton:''' He may have not been a gentleman, but he was a darned good writer.
* ComicalOverreacting: Mr. Conklin, portrayed by Gale Gordon, will start yelling at the drop of a hat.
** In "Radio Bombay", Miss Brooks mistakenly thinks a hurricane is heading to Madison and dismisses school in Mr. Conklin's absence. When Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Harriet Conklin and Walter Denton go to his house, it is his daughter Harriet goes to tell him the news. Walter listens at the door in an adjoining room, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton listen from further away. His yelling causes Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to try and make an exit, while Walter Denton falls on the floor.
** Humorously subverted in the radio episode "Friday The Thirteenth". Mr. Conklin, the repeated victim of Miss Brooks' episode-specific klutziness, remarks that losing one's temper "displays ill breeding". He goes to his closet and shouts privately, but loudly enough to be easily overheard by Miss Brooks.
* ComicBookAdaptation: Dell adapted the movie into comic book form.
* CommitmentIssues: Part of Miss Brooks' troubles [[WithThisRing in getting Mr. Boynton to propose arise from commitment issues]], coupled with his innate shyness.
** This was made especially clear in the episodes "Hello, Mr. Chips" and "24 Hours". Specifically, in "Hello Mr. Chips" Miss Brooks hears that Mr. Boynton has been saying a man should only get married when he's too old to do anything else. Miss Brooks punishes him by treating him as an old man that evening when he comes to dinner.
** When Miss Brooks gets Mr. Boynton to take her to a friends' wedding in "Old Age Plan", Mr. Boynton tries to back out of the date (finally) anticipating that Miss Brooks will want to get married herself.
** Part of this may be hereditary influence, as in "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Mr. Boynton remarks that his father and mother went together for eight years until they were married.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton himself is finally getting ready for commitment. He, up to now, ObliviousToLove, discusses with Miss Brooks the "good, old biological feeling" of being ready to marry and start a family. Miss Brooks, who decided [[LoveAtFirstSight she wanted to marry Mr. Boynton on their first meeting]], remarks that's [[DeadpanSnarker she's way ahead of him.]]. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton get married at the end of the movie.]]
* CompeteForTheMaidensHand: In "The Grudge Match", Walter Denton challenges Stretch Snodgrass to a fight for Harriet Conklin's love. The two end up boxing in a temporary ring setup in the Madison High School gymnasium.
* ConflictingLoyalties:
** In "The Big Game", Miss Brooks wants to maintain academic standards . . . but give long-ago Madison football hero Gus Geary his diploma so he can remain Assistant Coach. Miss Brooks [[LoopholeAbuse relies on a loophole]] to [[TakeAThirdOption evade the tricky ethical dilemma]].
** Again, in "The Yodar Kritch Award", Miss Brooks relies upon LoopholeAbuse to give [[DumbJock Bones Snodgrass]] the eponymous award.
* ConspicuousConsumption: In "Madison Country Club", Miss Brooks brags about how much she spends on travel, food, champagne and clothes to society matron Mrs. Grabar. Miss Brooks thinks that Mr. Conklin is poking fun of the faculty; in reality Conklin was soliciting a donation from the wealthy philanthropist.
* ConspicuousTrenchcoat: When Miss Brooks attempts to track down a missing postman in ''Postage Due'', she wears a trenchcoat like any proper amateur detective.
* ContinuityReboot: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] fell in with the regular continuity of both the radio and television versions of the series. However, it was a partial reboot as it erased the events of the final television season (which featured Miss Brooks working at a private elementary school in California, a plot development '''not''' occurring in the concurrent radio series). The movie began by retelling Miss Brooks' initial arrival in Madison. On the other hand, the characters (and actors!) were the same as on the radio and television series and there were many continuity nods throughout the film. [[spoiler: The movie ends with Miss Brooks achieving her SeriesGoal, marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* ContrivedCoincidence:
** Many of the show's plots and misunderstandings heavily relied upon this trope. For example, several plots involved Brooks, Boynton, and Conklin conveniently becoming involved in the exact same scheme and not realizing the others are involved too . . . that is until the end of the episode. Other episodes would have Miss Brooks learning some piece of misinformation from Mrs. Davis that would conveniently affect Mr. Conklin's plans later that exact same day.
** In "Poison Ivy", Miss Brooks tells off an obnoxious man who is tying up Mrs. Davis' party line. Later, Miss Brooks and Walter Denton nearly run over an obnoxious jaywalking woman on their drive to school. Unhappily, Mr. Conklin soon informs Miss Brooks that said obnoxious man and woman are important state officials who have the power to fire Mr. Conklin or Miss Brooks on the spot!
* ContrastingReplacementCharacter: In the fourth television season of the series, Miss Brooks receives two successive love interests; Clint Albright and Gene Talbot. For a few episodes, Miss Brooks is pursued by Clint Albright; for about half a season, it's Gene Talbot. Miss Brooks' love interest on the radio and TV up to this point had been Mr. Boynton [[spoiler: Miss Brooks marries Mr. Boynton at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale]] ; notable for being shy and oblivious. In direct contrast, the gym teachers Clint Albright and Gene Talbot are much more aggressive. Albright flirts with Miss Brooks immediately on seeing her, soon catching Miss Brooks under mistletoe and forcing a kiss on her. Talbot calls Miss Brooks honey, and by the end of his tenure Connie's furious at him for taking her up to the Hollywood Hills on dates . . . late into the night. As to the gym teachers' reception by fans, by the end of the season, TheBusCameBack with Mr. Boynton aboard.
* ConvectionSchmonvection: In "Public Property on Parade", nobody so much as breaks a sweat when standing next to Madison High School's coal fired boiler.
* ConvenientlyInterruptedDocument:
** "Madison Mascot": Mr. Conklin's letter telling Miss Brooks to get him an elephant bookend is torn. Miss Brooks is forced into the conclusion that Mr. Conklin wants her to get him an elephant. ItMakesSenseInContext.
** In "The Telegram", the eponymous telegram catches fire. As a result, half the message from Mrs. Davis' Uncle Corky gets destroyed. What little's left causes everybody believes that Mrs. Davis' uncle only has a week left to live. Again, ItMakesSenseInContext.
* ConvenientlySeated: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] has possibly the only scene of the series where Miss Brooks is '''shown''' teaching a full class (as compared to being heard teaching a class on the radio, or tutoring a student or students). Miss Brooks is in front, teaching the class. Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin have seats in the back; all the better for Walter can tell Harriet about his car troubles and invite her to lunch. [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]] is right in the middle, so he can stand up to answer a question on double-negatives spectacularly wrong. Finally, Gary Nolan is in front, so after class Miss Brooks can upbraid him for his failing the English test.
* CookingDuel: In "Miss Enright's Dinner", Miss Brooks duels with Miss Enright for Mr. Boynton's affections by preparing recipes pinned up by the school's home economics teacher. Unfortunately, unknown to Miss Brooks, the recipe for Irish Stew on the board is a prank one Walter Denton pinned up to trick Miss Enright.
* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: When Miss Brooks accidentally derails Mr. Conklin's promotion in "Rumors", Mr. Conklin punishes Miss Brooks by forcing her to do his family's laundry.
* CoolKey: In "Key to the School", Miss Brooks is given the key to the school by the custodian. HilarityEnsues when Mrs. Davis takes the key with her on a visit to her brother Victor, leaving students and faculty alike locked out of Madison High School.
* CoolOldGuy: In "The Big Game", Gus "Snakehips" Geary, who's still admired as Madison High School's greatest football star decades after he graduated.
* CoordinatedClothes:
** In "The Festival", Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin attend the titular festival as Romeo and Juliet.
** "Red River Valley" sees Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin dress as hillbillies to audition for Deacon Jones' Square Dance troop.
** In "Amalgamation", Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Munsee and Mr. Talbot dress as ''Dutch Vaudeville comedians'' to annoy Mrs. Pryor. ItMakesSenseInContext.
* CopycatMockery: Miss Brooks has learned to expect Mr. Conklin's typical DelayedReaction when he is surprised by anything angering or distasteful. A couple of times, she mimics his exclamation ''and expression'' when it finally comes along. A good example is in the episode "Cure That Habit". On radio episodes, being an audio medium, Miss Brooks sometimes just copies the inevitable shout.
* CordonBleughChef: Mrs. Davis is creative with her recipes.
* CosmopolitanCouncil: In the episode "Foreign Teachers", educational officials from France, Ireland and Sweden visit Madison High School. They turn out to be so insulting that Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin throw them out. Unfortunately, this gets Miss Brooks and company in trouble with the head of the National Board of Education . . . .
* TheCouch: Mrs. Davis' living room has a couch, under a window and to the left of the fireplace. It's always facing the fourth wall, as the show was shot using the three camera configuration. It's none too prominent, as Mrs. Davis (and therefore Miss Brooks) doesn't have a television set. Much of the talking and action usually takes place in front of it. However, there are exceptions, notably "Old Age Plan".
* CounterZany: Happens occasionally. In "Twins at School", after discovering Connie has been impersonating her non-existent identical twin Bonnie, Mr. Conklin invents a non-existent identical twin of his own. Complete with cowboy accent.
* {{Courier}}: The bicycle-riding telegram delivery boy, in "Telegram for Mrs. Davis". HilarityEnsues when Mrs. Davis is too superstitious to open the telegram, or allow Miss Brooks to open the telegram on her behalf. The boy won't leave until he gets the requested reply . . . .
* CourtroomEpisode: "Trial by Jury" sees Miss Brooks defend herself in court for "speeding, going through a red light, reckless driving, driving on the sidewalk and hitting a fruit stand." The episode was a remake of "Reckless Driving" which played on the radio.
* CoveredInGunge: In "Vitamin E-4", a conman named Professor Anderson tricks Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin into working for in the manufacture and promotion of the titular "vitamin". Unbenowngst to the three, Professor Anderson is really a conman who ''modus operandi'' includes tricking well-educated teachers to win over the general public. The episode ends with Brooks, Boynton and Conklin manufacturing the vitamin according to the recorded directions of Anderson. It doesn't go so well; Mr. Conklin ends up having the ingredients of the titular "vitamin" thrown, poured or falling over him. Incidentally, the main ingredient of Vitamin E-4 is ''chicken fat''!
* CovertGroup: Miss Brooks becomes involved in secret activity a few times through the course of the series. One of the most memorable was in "Red River Valley", where Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton meet secretly to rehearse for a job with the hillbilly troupe led by Deacon Jones.
* {{Cowboy}}: Tex Barton, a stereotypical teenaged cowboy, is a Madison High School student in a few episodes i.e. "School T.V. Set", "Bargain Hats for Mother's Day," "Tex Barton Basketball Star."
* CramSchool: In "The Yodar Kritch Award", a time-pressed Miss Brooks tries this approach with Bones Snodgrass. [[spoiler: It fails miserably.]]
* CrankyNeighbor: In "Mr. Travis' Three Acre Lot", Mr. Travis, a [[TheScrooge cheap, hostile businessman]], consistently refuses to sell his lot and finally let Madison High School have a regulation-size gridiron.
* CrazyJealousGuy: Mr. Boynton is usually even-headed, but on occasion can be crazy jealous when provoked. In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Miss Brooks spending time with millionaire Gary Nolan sees him turn crazy jealous (with a little prodding from Mrs. Davis).
* CrustyCaretaker: In "The Loaded Custodians", Mr. Barlow is portrayed as a rather crusty old man. Averted with the previous custodian, the [[LiteralMinded literal- minded]] Mr. Jensen.
* CryLaughing: It happens to Miss Brooks at the end of "Hobby Show", where she's about to suffer a nervous breakdown. Afraid that she is overworking herself, Miss Brooks' friends visit encouraging her to start a hobby. Unfortunately, Miss Brooks is expected to knit (Mrs. Davis' hobby), play chess (Mr. Boynton's hobby), run model trains (Walter Denton's), finger-paint (Harriet Conklin) and fix broken toys to give to underprivileged children (Mr. and Mrs. Conklin) . . . ''all at the same time''. The [[SoundToScreenAdaptation radio original]] featured the same gag, although there Walter and Harriet's hobbies were the less-visually interesting [[PragmaticAdaptation stamp-collecting and crossword puzzle solving, respectively]].
* CuckoolanderCommentator: In "Walter vs. Stretch Grudge Match", Miss Brooks deliberately invokes the trope when she's assigned to do the play-by-play commentary for the titular boxing match between the teenage combatants:
--->'''Miss Brooks''': As the fighters go to the center of the ring, just a word of reminder. Boys, if like Walter Denton, you're about to get your head knocked off, why not put an Adam Pat on it first? And now let's listen to the referees' instructions . . .
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': Marquis of Queensberry rules. I am here for one reason and one reason only. To see that fair play is strictly observed. You will at all times be honestly and impartially judged. Now, then, Stretch?
--->'''Stretch Snodgrass''': Yes, Mr. Conklin?
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': I want you to be sure to go a neutral corner every time Denton is on the floor. You Denton?
--->'''Walter Denton''': Yes, sir?
--->'''Mr. Conklin''': Where do you want your body . . . oh, well, I . . . Now then you two, I want a good clean fight and may the better man win. And win quickly, Stretch. Go to your corners, come out fighting.
--->'''Miss Brooks''': There goes the bell, folks. Oh, Walter's down, fell over his shoelace. Now it's tied, and the two men meet in the centre of the ring. They're cautious at first, Walter is dancing lightly around, left arm extended. Stretch is dancing around. Now they're dancing around together. Mr. Conklin breaks them, and once again they circle around carefully. Now here it is, the first exchange . . . .
* TheCuckoolanderWasRight: Miss Brooks' wacky landlady, Mrs. Davis, often gives good advice. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale she plays a critical role in Miss Brooks' finally marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* CuriosityIsACrapshoot: Curiosity is definitely bad in the episode "Sneaky Peepers". When Miss Brooks accidentally orders a copy of Rodin's "The Kiss" instead of "The Thinker" for Madison High School. Mr. Conklin orders the offending statue covered up until it can be returned. After Mr. Conklin falsely accuses Walter Denton of looking at the statue, Denton decides to setup a trapdoor to catch the actual culprit. Lo and behold, Walter Denton, Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conlin and Head of the School Board Mr. Stone end up falling through the trapdoor and locked in a storage room in the basement.
* CurseCutShort: One episode features this exchange between Miss Brooks and Walter Denton:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Mr. Conklin's making my usual tranquil life a veritable . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': WALTER!
-->'''Walter Denton''': . . . (''meekly'') inferno?
* CurtainCamouflage: Twice, behind the same set of curtains no less:
** In "First Day", Walter Denton tries to avoid Mr. Conklin by hiding behind the curtains in Mrs. Davis' living room.
** In "Madame Brooks Du Barry" Mr. Conklin and Harriet hide behind the curtains and spy on Miss Brooks.
* CuteClumsyGirl: Miss Brooks sometimes finds herself playing to this trope, usually around Mr. Conklin.
** Occasionally, Miss Brooks finds herself breaking his glasses, i.e. "Living Statues".
** Her clumsiness might have reached its nadir in the episode "Home Cooked Meal". There, she unwittingly causes Mr. Conklin to be locked in a freezer before accidentally contributing to his attending a ''minor'' gas explosion.
** Miss Brooks' clumsiness again strikes Mr. Conklin in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale.]] Miss Brooks' arrival at Madison is portrayed at the beginning of the movie, when she makes a unique first impression on Mr. Conklin by accidentally dropping a dumbbell on his foot.
* CuttingCorners: Mr. Conklin periodically subjects Madison High School to economy drives. One such drive occurs in the episode "Blue Goldfish", where Conklin's miserly apportionment of coal causes the school to feel like a refrigerator.
* DaddysGirl: Harriet Conklin is close to her father. She can often be seen in his office helping him out.
* DaEditor:
** In "Cafeteria Boycott", Miss Brooks describes the school food as putrid. Unfortunately, she unknowingly does so in front of the local newspaper editor. Neither particularly gruff or authoritarian (except when confronting Mr. Conklin), the editor becomes a problem for Miss Brooks notwithstanding.
** Lawrence Nolan, in TheMovie GrandFinale. He's authoritarian, but being something of the local plutocrat, he's more of a stuffed shirt rather than stereotypically gruff.
* [[DamnedByFaintPraise Darned By Faint Praise]]: A ''Snap'' magazine reporter "compliments" Miss Brooks' clothes: "That's a very nice suit...One can tell at a glance that it's worn you for years."
* [[DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster Darn It Feels Good To Be A Gangster]]: In "Sunnydale Finishing School", Miss Brooks receives a letter offering her a position at the eponymous school. Walter Denton, utilizing a ZanyScheme, ''pretends'' to fall victim to this trope and begins acting like a mobster while speaking in a blizzard of hard-boiled slang.
* DamselOutOfDistress
** Miss Brooks, when trapped in an industrial freezer with Walter Denton, Philip Boynton and Osgood Conklin in "Male Superiority". The three males panic while Miss Brooks stays calm. An example of LaserGuidedKarma and HypocriticalHumor, as all three had lectured Miss Brooks on a man's ability to stay calm during an emergency.
** In its SpiritualSuccessor, "The Big Jump", Boynton and Conklin similarly panic when a prank by Walter makes it appear the school is on fire. Again, Mr. Boynton had been claiming men were calmer in the event of an emergency.
* DanceOfRomance: In TheMovie GrandFinale, Connie's fantasy includes her dancing with Phillip in their future home.
* DancesAndBalls: Dances drive the plot of a few episodes, as befitting a program whose main setting is Madison High School. Notable examples include "The Yodar Kritch Award" and "Cinderella for a Day".
* TheDandy: Briefly and infuriatingly, Mr. Boynton falls victim to this trop in "Mr. Boynton's Mustache". Miss Brooks had decided to get Mr. Boynton to pay more attention to his appearance, so suggests he grow a mustache and then has the female faculty members compliment him. Thankfully, Mr. Boynton is cured when Miss Brooks gets the Home Economics Class to reward him with their class project . . . a suit made out of an old horse blanket.
* DarkestAfrica:
** In "Safari O'Toole", the eponymous adventurer spends much of his time in the SavageSouth, Africa in particular. [[spoiler: He's a fake, but a nice one, who's only trying to impress Mrs. Davis.]]
** In "The Hawkins Travel Agency", Mr. Stone proposes Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks all accompany him on an African walking tour. He doesn't find any takers.
* DatePeepers:
** In "Madame Brooks Du Barry", Mr. Conklin and his daughter Harriet hide in the back of Mrs. Davis' living room, and spy on Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton as they have a date.
** In "Mrs. Nestor's Boyfriend", Miss Brooks, Mr. Munsee, Mr. Talbot and Mr. Conklin use binoculars to spy on (widowed) Mrs. Nestor's date with her new boyfriend.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Mr. Conklin loathes his daughter's boyfriend, Walter Denton. It isn't uncommon for him to kick Walter down his porch steps. Why? Walter is something of a nuisance to Mr. Conklin, as the episodes "Cure that Habit", "Wild Goose", "Cafeteria Boycott" and "Space, Who Needs It?" attest. However, there are other reasons as well. In "Spare That Rod!", Mr. Conklin complained that the worst thing about Walter was his squeaky voice.
-->'''Miss Brooks:''' I expect it's his age. His voice is probably changing.\\
'''Mr. Conklin:''' Well, I wish it would hurry up. He sounds like a canary with a mouthful of rancid birdseed.
* DavidVsGoliath: In "The Grudge Match", the eponymous boxing match between 5'6'' Walter Denton and 6'5'' three-letter DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass. A different take on the trope, as the teenagers were best friends fighting over a girl. Walter Denton challenged Stretch to the fight, and it was common belief at Madison that he'd be clobbered. [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin, refereeing the match, is struck by mistake.]]
* ADayInTheLimelight: Although Miss Brooks is always the star of her shore, some episodes give lesser characters a major role:
** "Brooks' New Car" features a major role for Mrs. Conklin. Likewise, "Weekend at Crystal Lake".
** "Madison Mascot" and "Stretch to Transfer" are two of several episodes that feature the [[DumbJock student athlete]] in something akin to a starring role.
** "Angela's Wedding", "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None", and "Mr. Casey's Will" feature Mrs. Davis' sister Angela as the episodes mover and shaker.
** "The Egg" has an appearance by Mrs. Davis' usually unseen, only mentioned, brother Victor.
* DeadpanSnarker: Miss Brooks is one of the queens of this trope, as are many of Eve Arden's characters in other works.
* DeathByChildbirth: Lawrence Nolan's wife died giving birth to Gary.
* DeathGlare: When truly angry, Mr. Conklin is known to give a withering stare. Usually, he yells to great effect; but occasionally he has a glare that tends to frighten both faculty, students, and his own daughter. Noteworthy examples occur in "The Novelist", "Spare That Rod!", and "Space, Who Needs It?".
* DecemberDecemberRomance: In "Puppy Love, Mr. Barlow and Mrs. Davis", Mrs. Davis falls in love with the aged school custodian. It leads to FacePalm worthy descriptions of love in old age by callow teenagers Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin.
** Walter described the old folks' romance as follows:
--> '''Walter''': Oh, by the way, how's Mrs. Davis' romance with Mr. Barlow coming along?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Oh, have you noticed that, too? I think it's the cutest thing in the world. Mrs. Davis actually has a bad case of puppy love.
--> '''Walter''': It is cute ... considering she's in her second puppyhood. No disrespect intended, you understand. After all, what can be more romantic than two lonely old people encountering the grand passion in the sear and yellow leaf of life.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Why, that's absolutely poetic, Walter.
-->'''Walter''': The burning desires of youth long past, they look now for the subdued glow of companionship. The warm and simple pleasures that two elderly people in love can share together.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker I can see them now - soaking their feet in the same pan of Epsom salts.]]
** Later, Harriet ups the ante:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Hello, Harriet. I've got to deliver a message to the custodian. Have you seen him?
-->'''Harriet''': Oh, yes. Mr. Barlow just went into his office. (''dreamily'') Isn't it wonderful, Miss Brooks?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': I don't know. I've never been in his office.
-->'''Harriet''': I mean about Mr. Barlow and Mrs. Davis. They're crazy about each other. Of course, it's a big secret.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker It couldn't be a bigger secret if they took out an ad.]]
-->'''Harriet''': Is there anything more romantic than the mellow romance of old age?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Now please, Harriet.
-->'''Harriet''': To think of two people finding love at a time of life when others are preparing to pass on. Two people walking hand in hand in the twilight of life.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[SarcasmMode Yes, there's nothing like a brisk walk before passing on.]]
* DeclarativeFinger: The gesture is occasionally used by the pompous Mr. Conklin.
* TheDefroster: Miss Brooks sees it as part of her job to try and defrost troubled students. She's also a generous, kindhearted and [[DeadpanSnarker quick-witted]] individual. Notably, Miss Brooks defrosts Mr. Whipple, TheScrooge in the episode "Mr. Whipple". Later, in TheMovie GrandFinale, she defrosts one of her students, Gary Nolan. For good measure, she defrosts his father, Lawrence Nolan, as well.
* DerailedTrainOfThought: Absent-minded Mrs. Davis often suffers from thought derailment.
* DespairEventHorizon / DespairSpeech: In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]]. After overhearing a conversation at the relator's, Miss Brooks discovers that Mr. Boynton has bought the cottage across the street from Mrs. Davis' house. The conversation suggests that he finally intends to propose. Alas, he bought the house so his widowed mother could move in with him. This comes as a shock to Connie, who had even brought wallpaper over to the cottage to decorate. She's lost in daydreams, when Mr. Boynton comes in relates his plans to live with his mother.
-->'''Connie:''' ''(sobbing)'' Fine schnook I've been! ''(She hands the wall paper to Mr. Boynton)'' Wear it in good health! ''(Connie leaves the cottage, slamming the door behind her.)''
** Miss Brooks goes into a deep depression, offers her resignation and prepares to leave Madison. [[spoiler:Fortunately, the matter is fixed by the good offices of Mrs. Davis and Mr. Boynton's mother. Mrs. Davis tells Mrs. Boynton the situation, and invites her to be her new boarder. Mr. Boynton proposes to Miss Brooks, and everybody lives HappilyEverAfter]].
* DevotedToYou: Miss Brooks is devoted to Mr. Boynton, with Miss Enright often appearing as her rival for his affections. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks wins, finally marrying Mr. Boynton in the cinematic grand finale.]]
* DidntSeeThatComing: This happens several times in ''Our Miss Brooks'', and causes a ZanyScheme or a well-intentioned plan to help someone go awry. A few notable examples:
** In "Head of the Board", Miss Brooks sends Stretch Snodgrass to get an old man from the park to impersonate Mr. Hewitt, the Head of the State Board of Education. Mr. Conklin has ordered Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to help him clean the school the week before the start of term. By a ContrivedCoincidence, Mr. Hewitt happens to be visiting in town, sitting in the park, and chosen by Stretch Snodgrass to impersonate himself. HilarityEnsues, as well as a FawltyTowersPlot.
** In "Red River Valley", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin practice a hillbilly routine to get a $500 a month summer job working with Deacon Jones' square dance troupe. It so happens that Matthew ''Jones'', Inspector from the State Board, chooses that day to visit Madison High School.
** "Fargo Whiskers" sees Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton think Miss Brooks have taken leave of her senses. They wish her to take a week off before another school official; when Miss Brooks refuses, Conklin and Boynton have Walter Denton impersonate the official. Unfortunately, Mr. Fargo arrives a few days early and HilarityEnsues.
* DisastrousDemonstration: Madison High School's attempts to use new technology backfires terribly - usually in front of the head of the school board, Mr. Stone.
** In "The Tape Recorder", [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Walter Denton buys a reel-to-reel tape recorder for the school.]] Unfortunately, when playing back the machine to Head-of the-Board Mr. Stone, the machine garbles its messages. The machine suggesting everyone is insulting or threatening Principal Conklin or Mr. Stone. Also, that Mr. Conklin jumps into Miss Brooks' lap!
** In "Movies at School", Miss Brooks tries to use film as an educational aid. Unfortunately, a disgruntled worker at the film company has switched the films around within their canisters. Miss Brooks, leaving a film of the poem "Lady of the Lake" with her class, instead leaves a poem of "Sirens of the Screen, Past and Present". Mrs. Davis intends to show her Ladies Aid Club "Shearing Sheep at Big Billabong, Australia. The ladies club sees a film with showgirls in their dressing room. When Mr. Stone investigates, Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin intend to show the probity of the school by playing a film about the "Board of Education". Instead, they end up playing a film about gambling in Las Vegas.
* DiscountCard: The episode "Christmas Gift Mixup" features a RunningGag where Mrs. Davis, Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin give Miss Brooks "hints" as to what they'd like for Christmas. They helpfully relay the costs of their gifts, and lend Miss Brooks their "exclusive" savings card that gives sale prices at a local store.
* DisguisedInDrag: In "The Stolen Wardrobe", Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton are falsely accused of robbing Sherry's Department Store. They end up (reluctantly) disguising themselves as women to evade the police.
* DisposingOfABody: In the penultimate radio episode, "New Girl in Town," Harriet Conklin tricks the eponymous "new girl's" mother into believing Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are burying Mr. Boynton's old girlfriends in the athletic field. In reality, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are only burying the bodies of Mr. Boynton's dead lab mice.
* DisproportionateRetribution: In ''Spare That Rod!'', it's mentioned that disproportionate retribution is Mr. Conklin's modus operandi as principal of Madison High School. When Conklin discovers that some students had wrote "Old Man Conklin is a Pinhead" on Miss Brooks' blackboard ''after'' school, he orders ''Miss Brooks'' to inspect and clean ''all'' the blackboards at Madison High School.
* DistinguishedGentlemansPipe: Dell's comic book adaptation of the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] has Mr. Boynton carrying and smoking a pipe.
* TheDitz: Stretch Snodgrass and his brother Bones. Stretch also has an even more clueless girlfriend, Suzie Prentiss.
* DomesticApplianceDisaster: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Brooks tries to prepare a roast turkey for Mr. Boynton. Actually, Miss Brooks' friendly elderly landlady Mrs. Davis brings over the cooked turkey so Miss Brooks can pretend to have cooked it herself. All Miss Brooks has to do is place it in the gas oven to warm up. Unfortunately, the oven's automatic gas jets hadn't been connected, so Miss Brooks fills the kitchen with gas. While Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are frantically trying to call the fire department, Principal Osgood Conklin visits Mr. Boynton's house to return his tools. Conklin can't see in the darkened kitchen, and lights a match . . . he's ultimately unharmed, just covered in soot and the remains of the roast turkey.
* DontExplainTheJoke: Mr. Boynton tells terrible jokes, sometimes he has to do this to find the humor to begin with.
* DontMakeMeTakeMyBeltOff: The program features a couple examples:
** "The Twin Orphans" ends with Miss Brooks looking out Mrs. Davis' front window, and observing the titular pair being taken over their knee and spanked by their father. The "orphans", Mike and Danny, had tricked the Madison High crowd into believing they had escaped from an OrphanageOfFear. By the dialogue, Miss Brooks obviously believes the spanking to be well earned.
** Averted in "Amalgamation". Mrs. Nestor's school is nearly merged with Mrs. Pryor's school next year. Upon visiting, Mr. Conklin almost swats one of the bratty child actors with his hand, but is stopped by Mrs. Pryor. As a believer in the "progressive method", students at Mrs. Pryor are allowed uninhibited self-expression. No discipline, corporal punishment or otherwise.
* DontYouLikeIt:
** In "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Miss Brooks is dismayed when Walter Denton and Harriet Conklin are representing a student delegation naming her their "Mother away from Mother". To make matters worse, they present her with a shawl as a gift for Mother's Day.
** In "Mr. Boynton's Mustache", Miss Brooks, Miss Enright, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Stone frantically try to avoid being presented with the Home Economics students' class projects. The girls sewed up a suit and a dress out of an old horse blanket.
** In "24 Hours", Mrs. Conklin is furious with her husband for gifting her with a pair of expensive andirons for her birthday.
* DoomedNewClothes:
** In "Easter Outfit", Miss Brooks' wears a new dress for the Easter Parade. Unfortunately, Connie was forced to go to the parade in her old dress. She had worn the new dress to Easter Breakfast and landlady Mrs. Davis's Easter Egg Hunt. However, Mrs. Davis' Easter Egg hunt goes wrong when Mrs. Davis forgot she hid two eggs under the chesterfield . . . and didn't hard-boil them!
** "Friday The Thirteenth" sees Mr. Conklin proud of his new black suit, black hat, black vest, black shoes and midnight blue tie. During the course of the day it gets torn and dirtied.
* DoomItYourself: In "Do It Yourself", Mr. Conklin starts the plot in motion when he burns down his garage after a misguided attempt at fixing the electrical wiring.
* DoorSlamOfRage: In "Trying to Pick a Fight", Miss Brooks tells Mr. Conklin that some couples pick fights so they can make up later. Sometime later, Mr. Conklin calls Miss Brooks to his office. It seems in trying to pick a fight with his wife, Mr. Conklin only managed to provoke his wife into threatening to go home to her mother. Mr. Conklin leaves to head to the railroad station to try to prevent his wife's departure, angrily slamming his office door behind him.
* TheDoorSlamsYou: Miss Brooks does this to Mr. Conklin a few times, by accident of course. It usually results in Miss Brooks breaking Mr. Conklin's glasses.
* DoorToDoorEpisode:
** In "Kritch Cave", Miss Brooks sells lots in Kritch Canyon at the behest of Mr. Conklin. Only it happens that, through a mixup, she sells Madison High School by error.
** In "Bargain Hats For Mother's Day", Miss Brooks sells three hats Mrs. Davis whipped up in return for Mrs. Davis forgiving several weeks back rent.
* DoTheyKnowItsChristmasTime: Our Miss Brooks had several Christmas episodes, although religion was rarely mentioned at other times (the program also had two Easter episodes and two Thanksgiving episodes):
** "The Magic Christmas Tree" sees Miss Brooks prepared to spend Christmas Eve alone with Mrs. Davis' pet cat Minerva. HilarityEnsues.
** "Christmas Show" features the frantic exchanging of Christmas gifts . . . before Christmas.
** "Department Store Contest" sees Miss Brooks' childhood letter to Santa Claus inadvertently entered into the titular contest.
** "Christmas Gift Returns" sees more trouble from the exchanging of Christmas gifts.
** "Music Box Revue" sees Miss Brooks buy a magic music box that she'll only hear play if she's in the proper Christmas spirit.
** "A Dry Scalp is Better Than None" and "The Telegram" see Miss Brooks and company throw ChristmasInJuly parties for Mrs. Davis' sister Angela and Uncle Corky respectively.
* DoubleDate: A variation on the trope in "The Frog". Miss Brooks is tired of Mr. Boynton taking her to the zoo on the dates. In an desperate effort to move their dates, Miss Brooks gets a pet female frog to date Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall. The idea is for Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton to double date with their pet frogs. It turns into a very noisy triple date, when Mr. Boynton brings a tomcat to date Mrs. Davis' lovelorn female cat Minerva.
* DoubleEntendre: Miss Brooks' letter to Mr. Conklin requesting flower pots for her windowsill gets mixed up with a love letter in ''Bones, Son of Cyrano''. Cue a flurry of double entendres when Mr. Conklin questions Miss Brooks.
* DoubleStandardViolenceChildOnAdult: In "Amalgamation", one of Mrs. Pryor's bratty child actors bites Mr. Conklin and rips his hat and jacket. Mrs. Pryor believes in the "progressive method", where it's forbidden to discipline or criticize a child in any way.
* DoYouWantToHaggle: Several episodes:
** In "Game At Clay City", Miss Brooks haggles with a mechanic.
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", Miss Brooks haggles with Mr. Conklin.
** "Fischer's Pawn Shop" sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Walter Denton haggle with Fischer to raise money for baseball uniforms.
** "Indian Burial Ground" has Mr. Conklin haggle with a prospective buyer for his vacant lot.
** "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud" features a bartering session with the eponymous chief.
* TheDragAlong: Miss Brooks often finds herself made an unwitting accomplice to Walter Denton's various schemes, i.e. "Cure That Habit", "The Cafeteria Strike", as exposing Walter would lead to his being suspended or expelled. Other occasions see her being ''ordered'' to go along with a scheme of Mr. Conklin's, as he's her principal and has the power to force her - or leastways make her life very miserable if she refuses, i.e. "The Big Jump". Yet that's not the whole story. Occasionally she even gets cajoled by her landlady Mrs. Davis, or her sister Angela, into aiding into some other wacky scheme from which Miss Brooks would prefer to keep her distance, i.e. "Mr. Casey's Will".
* DramaQueen: Harriet Conklin is overemotional in early episodes.
** In "Game at Clay City" she emotionally describes her relationship with Walter Denton thusly:
-->'''Harriet''': Walter isn't a real happy heartthrob, but he's good for a heartache or two!
** In "Student Government Day," Harriet Conklin is elected "Mayor for a Day." At the assembly, in front of the [[CorruptPolitician mayor]], she emotionally rails against municipal corruption. Later on, she berates a policeman by reciting the Constitution.
** In "Stretch Has A Problem" she's fit-to-burst when she thinks Walter needs her at his side during the State Basketball Championship. She doesn't miss a beat when she finds out its actually Stretch Snodgrass.
** In "Walter v. Stretch Grudge Match," Harriet instigates the said grudge match and then panics before the fight begins.
** In "Poetry Mixup" and "Bones, Son of Cyrano," Harriet is ecstatic thinking she received a love note from Mr. Boynton.
* DreamEpisode: The third-season episode "The Dream". After reading a book called "Maternity Ward", Miss Brooks dreams that she marries Mr. Boynton and has a baby girl named Cleo. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Conklin has a second child, a boy named Osgood Conklin Junior. Harriet Conklin marries Walter Denton and they have at least five children in three year. By the end of the dream, Osgood Conklin Junior and Cleo are secretly married and secretly have a baby girl of their own.
-->'''Osgood Conklin Junior''': Yes, sir, that's my baby
--> No, sir, I don't mean maybe
--> Yes, sir, that's my baby now!
* DreamSequence: Usually with Brooks dreaming about Boynton sweeping her off her feet or in some magical fairy tale, then the alarm clock ruins it all. A notable exception is "Connie's Job Offer", where Miss Brooks dreams of becoming mayor of a town in New Jersey.
* DressCode: In "Dress Code Protest", Mr. Conklin imposes a dress code after the students celebrate "Spirit Week" by wearing outrageous and mismatched clothing. Miss Brooks refers to the "celebration" as a "Malevolent Mardi Gras."
* DressedInLayers: In "Heat Wave", Mr. Boynton, Harriet Conklin, Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are wearing bathing suits underneath their regular clothes, covertly plotting an escape from school and a trip to the swimming hole. [[spoiler: It so happens Miss Brooks is wearing a bathing suit underneath her regular clothes too.]]
* DrinkingOnDuty: On T.V., in the episode "The Loaded Custodian", Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis discuss how the previous custodian, Mr. Jensen, was fired for his drinking. Actually averted the few times Mr. Jensen appears on the radio (i.e. "Key to the School", "School Safety Advisor"), where his personality quirk is his insistence on interpreting common idioms [[LiteralMinded literally]].
* DrivenToMadness: "The School Board Psychologist" sees [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the Head of the Board, Mr. Stone, appoint a psychologist to examine the faculty of Madison High School.]] He's given the broad authority to fire any faculty who he believes is unfit for the teaching profession. The psychologist is already overworked, and is provably unfit to make recommendations (he suggests, for example, Mr. Boynton should be an exterminator). Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, and eventually Mr. Conklin himself gaslight the psychologist until he withdraws his recommendations and takes his much needed rest.
* DriverFacesPassenger: Walter Denton usually drives Miss Brooks to school. As a reckless sixteen year old driver, he, of course, looks at Miss Brooks instead of looking at the road. On one occasion, Miss Brooks had to grab the wheel and steer in order to prevent an accident.
* DrivesLikeCrazy: Teenagers Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass are chronic offenders of this trip. More surprisingly, Miss Brooks usually is as well. A running gag has her telling Mrs. Davis why she can't drive her car. Often enough it's in the shop. However, there are ''many'' occasions where Miss Brooks is to blame after having proved herself a stereotypical [[WomenDrivers woman driver]]. In "Trial By Jury", Miss Brooks goes to court to fight a charge of reckless driving after her car crashes into a fruit stand.
* DrivingStick: In "Who's Going Where", Mr. Conklin insists on going to Crystal Lake and having Miss Brooks accompany him (and type out his reports while being a "guest" at his family cottage). Miss Brooks offers Mr. Conklin the use of his car. However, Mr. Conklin claims that he can't drive Miss Brooks' pre-World War II car, because of an unfamiliar gear shift system.
* DroppedGlasses: Mr. Conklin fell victim to this trope on more than one occasion; i.e. "Cure That Habit", "Living Statues", and "Skis in the Classroom".
* DunceCap: Unsurprisingly, Stretch Snodgrass is forced to wear a dunce cap in "The Mambo".
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness:
** It's rather interesting to listen to the first "Audition Show" with Shirley Booth trying out for the role of Miss Brooks. Mr. Conklin is the head of the Board of Education, not the incoming principal (that role belongs to Mr. Darwell). Miss Brooks' landlady Mrs. Davis is younger, and has a teenaged daughter who Walter Denton intends to drive to school (Denton only drives Miss Brooks when his girlfriend breaks the date). Walter Denton is characterized somewhat in the vein of a DumbJock, and has a much different voice. In fact, Denton's character is more akin to the later Stretch Snodgrass than the Denton who would be a mainstay of the program from Day 1.
** An eyebrow-raising moments in early radio episodes is Walter Denton's contention that he's a great English student. Later, despite his SesquipedalianLoquaciousness, it's firmly established Denton is BookDumb.
** The animosity between Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks vanishes after "First Day" and remains subdued for most of the first season. Similarly, Mr. Conklin's hatred for Walter Denton is similarly absent. It emerges only after Walter's prank in the original radio version of "Cure That Habit". Mr. Conklin's nickname, "Old Marblehead", doesn't make its first appearance until the radio episode "Mr. Conklin's Carelessness Code". In one first season episode, "Easter Outfit", Walter tells Miss Brooks that Mr. Conklin's nickname amongst the students is "Napoleon".
* EasilyOverheardConversation: Happens from time to time. Usually, the eavesdropper misunderstands and hilarity ensues.
* EasterBunny: The Easter Bunny is [[DiscussedTrope mentioned]] in the two Easter episodes; "Easter Outfit" and "Dying Easter Eggs".
* EasyAmnesia: "Mr. Conklin's Plaque" begins with Mrs. Davis telling Miss Brooks how her sister Angela received amnesia after a blow on the head. Angela recovered after received a second blow.
* EasyComeEasyGo: Happens to Miss Brooks in "Principal for a Day" where she becomes [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin principal for a day]]. [[spoiler: Happily averted in TheMovie GrandFinale where Miss Brooks finally achieves her SeriesGoal and marries Mr. Boynton and lives HappilyEverAfter]].
* EatingPetFood: In "Poison Ivy", Mrs. Davis sets out dog biscuits in place of cereal for breakfast. Miss Brooks and Walter Denton both fall victim.
* EekAMouse: In [[IronicEpisodeTitle "A Demonstration of Male Superiority,"]] a house mouse scares Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis onto the dining room table. Walter Denton scares it away. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks later proves "male superiority" in an emergency to be a myth, when she is trapped in a meat freezer with Walter Denton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton.]]
* EggMacGuffin: episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Egg"]], Mrs. Davis gets a chicken egg from her brother's farm. Mistakenly, he had given her an egg soon to hatch. Miss Brooks and friends try to safely hatch the egg, and keep Mr. Conklin from frightening the chick by flashing a photo as it emerges from its shell.
* ElaborateUniversityHigh:
** Usually averted on radio and television in ''Radio/OurMissBrooks''. Madison High School's facilities seem to par for the course. Miss Brooks frequently criticizes her low pay, and episodes focus on various austerity measures (i.e. "Blue Goldfish"). The most tony aspects of the school are the ivy-covered walls and the bust of the founder, Yodar Kritch. Once or twice, the gymnasium is said to be in a separate building than the main school.
** Elaborate University High goes into play in TheMovie GrandFinale. Madison High School is a very large building with substantial grounds. It even has tennis courts!
* ElderlyFutureFantasy: In "The Dream", Miss Brooks dreams she has finally married Mr. Boynton. They had a daughter named Cleo. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have a son, Osgood Junior. Walter Denton marries Harriet Conklin, they have several children but Walter takes about twenty years to finish high school. Ultimately, many years later, the now elderly Mr. and Mrs. Boynton nee Brooks are still happily married. ''And'' still living with Miss Brooks [[CoolOldLady friendly landlady]] Mrs. Davis, who is well over a hundred year old. The only problem is Cleo, who is running around with the wild Osgood Conklin Junior. Mr. Boynton finds to his horror that Cleo is secretly married to Osgood Junior and they have a child named Osgood Junior Junior. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale Miss Brooks finally gets to marry Mr. Boynton for real.]]
* ElectionDayEpisode: The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] to the ''Our Miss Brooks'' series sees Mr. Conklin compete with school board head Mr. Stone for the newly created post of "Coordinator of Education". [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin withdraws when Mr. Stone, who is independently wealthy, gets the board to set the salary for the position at a mere $500 per year. Meanwhile, in the main plot, Miss Brooks finally manages to achieve her SeriesGoal, marrying Mr. Boynton and living HappilyEverAfter.]]
* ElegantClassicalMusician: In "Faculty Band", Mr. Boynton mentions that Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' [[SitcomArchNemesis great rival]], plays the harp.
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': Well, look at our new harp.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[FluffyCloudHeaven But we're so young!]]
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': It's for the band. Miss Enright lent it to us. I understand she plays like an angel.
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': [[DeadpanSnarker I can hardly wait.]]
* ElevatorFailure:
** In "Project X", Miss Brooks begins the episode by nearly falling to her death down an open elevator shaft at Clay City High School.
** In "School Safety Advisor", a mix-up involves [[spoiler: Mr. Conklin and a member of the school board falling six feet down the empty freight elevator shaft.]]
* EmbarrassingFirstName: Stretch Snodgrass' real name is "Fabian."
* EmbarrassingRelativeTeacher: Harriet Conklin's father is the ''school principal''; to make it worse he's particularly unliked by the student body. Harriet's embarassed by the more ''unprincipled'' facets of Mr. Conklin's tenure. For example, in "Home Cooked Meal" she's mortified that instead of buying a home freezer, Mr. Conklin is secretly hiding the family's meat supply in the school cafeteria freezer.
* EmergencyImpersonation:
** In "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", Walter Denton is drafted to impersonate Stretch Snodgrass, while Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks impersonate his parents.
** In "Head of the State Board of Education", Miss Brooks asks a bum to impersonate the head of the state board (unaware that said bum is the head of the state board), Mr. Boynton impersonates Mr. Conklin, Mr. Conklin imitates Walter Denton, and Walter Denton claims to be Stretch Snodgrass. It all MakesSenseInContext.
* EntertaininglyWrong: Happens several times. From Miss Brooks' perspective, the events of "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton" and "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves" are particularly infamous!
* EtTuBrute: In "Mr. Conklin Plays Detective", Principal Osgood Conklin is shocked to discover that Mr. Boynton seems to be the one that stole his typewriter and made a long-distance call to Rockaway, Minnesota on his office phone. [[spoiler: It turns out to be a misunderstanding. Mr. Boynton oiled the typewriter and put it in the office closet. Boynton left the money for the long distance call in an envelope on Mr. Conklin's desk]].
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Et-tu, Boynton?
* EvenTheGuysWantHim: Walter has at least once said Mr. Boynton is "tall, dark, handsome..." as well as "Boy, is he good looking!"
* EveryProperLadyShouldCurtsy: Mrs. Davis curtsies on a few occasions, usually when the situation doesn't warrant it. In one episode, she even does a curtsy for a hobo calling himself "The Earl of Peoria".
* EverythingMakesAMushroom: In "Writing Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks [[ItMakesSenseInContext tells the editor of "True Family Romance" that her entirely-made-up quiz kid son]] made a mushroom with his home chemistry set the other day.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: In "Life Can Be Bones", Miss Brooks interests LoveInterest Mr. Boynton in a fossil dig in her backyard, by describing to him a bone of what might be a prehistoric "missing link". For some reason, on said dig Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin forget about the "missing link" and dig up presumed dinosaur fossils. It turns out the fossils were planted by Walter Denton, in place of the entirely unconvincing soup bones Miss Brooks herself had buried for the "archeological expedition."
* EvilGloating: Mr. Conklin likes to gloat.
** In "Faculty Cheerleader", Mr. Conklin gloats to his daughter over his morning coffee. He considers the sight of Miss Brooks, appointed faculty cheerleader, tossing a baton up in the air and it hitting her on the head. [[spoiler: When Mr. Conklin decides to make himself faculty cheerleader, he's a victim of LaserGuidedKarma.]]
** Mr. Conklin gloats to Miss Brooks in "Two Way Stretch Snodrgass" about his plans for the school football team, see EvilLaugh below.
* EvilLaugh: Mr. Conklin laughs ''evilly'' on a couple occasions. This example is from the episode "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass'':
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': I just learned that Biff Mooney, one of the greatest college football players, is interested in a high school coaching job in this part of the country. I've already opened negotiations by mail, and it's a foregone conclusion that he'll accept my offer. Ah-ha-ha-ha (''evil laugh''), ah, I can't wait to see the expression on Brill's face when I tell him about it. Heh, heh, heh (''evil laugh'').
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[DeadpanSnarker In some states, that laugh would be banned.]]
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: The series naturally stars Miss Brooks. Additionally, episode titles often describe what the episode is about, i.e "Angela's Wedding" or "Birthday Bag".
* ExactWords:
** In "The Big Game", Miss Brooks takes Mr. Conklin's exact words at their literal value to pass former football star Gus "Snakehips" Geary and give him his high school diploma.
** Similarly, in "The Yodar Kritch Award", Miss Brooks gives [[DumbJock Bones Snodgrass]] (or Stretch Snodgrass, in the radio version of the episode) the Yodar Kritch Award for Unique Achievement in English. The unique achievement? Not answering a single question right.
* ExcitedShowTitle: "Spare That Rod!"
* TheExitIsThatWay: In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", [[ItMakesSenseInContext Miss Brooks accidentally offers to masquerade as Mr. Boynton's mother]] in front of Dean Faraday of State University. Playing the "wrong" Mrs. Boynton requires her to go to Mr. Boynton's apartment and entertain the dean. Unfortunately, Mr. Boynton's apartment features mainly wildlife specimens . . . ''and doors''. Miss Brooks, at various times, mistakenly goes into the bathroom, closet, kitchen, bedroom, and once even locks herself outside the backdoor and has to be let in the front by the dean.
* ExtendedGreetings: Walter Denton likes to carry on. This exchange with Miss Brooks is in the episode "Wild Goose Chase":
-->'''Walter Denton:''' And to you, fair flower of the faculty, a thousand salaams!\\
'''Miss Brooks:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Thank you, Walter Denton, and I've had my share, thanks.]]
* ExtremelyShortIntroSequence: The syndicated opening sequence for Our Miss Brooks [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rr1i9hp-3w is only 13-seconds long]]. Notable in that the syndicated version dates back to the 1950's. The theme itself dates to the 1948 radio premier, when it was played briefly at the start and end of the radio episodes. A much longer version of the tune plays over the closing credits.
* ExtracurricularEnthusiast: Walter Denton. He's been manager of the football, baseball and basketball team. He's been on the debating team, editor of the school paper "The Madison Monitor" and Vice-President of the Student Council. Walters also helps Miss Brooks' with the Spring Garden, and joins Madison High School's (short-lived) student Traffic Police. He's also tried out (unsuccessfully) for the baseball, basketball and water polo, before finally (and barely) making it onto the school football team.
* EyeTake: Miss Brooks bugs out her eyes from time to time. One example is early in [[GrandFinale the film]], after Mrs. Davis greets her with an apparent non sequitur.
* FacialDialogue: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Brooks' facial expressions as Mr. Conklin is about to light a match in a gas-filled room....
* FailureIsTheOnlyOption: Miss Brooks can't get Mr. Boynton to propose marriage . . . that is until the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]] where, with the help of Mrs. Davis, she succeeds in marrying Mr. Boynton and living [[HappilyEverAfter happily ever after]].
* FailuresOnIce: In "Swap Week", school board head Mr. Stone is forced to recuperate at his vacation cabin. Stone had injured his ankle using the pair of ice skates Mr. Conklin bought him.
* FaintInShock: In the concluding film, Mr. Conklin faints when he learns that [[spoiler:the position he's been campaigning for pays only a nominal amount.]]
* FairWeatherFriend: Sometimes, when the going gets tough, Walter Denton gets going, i.e. "Trial By Jury".
* FairyTaleEpisode: "Cinderella for a Day". A mysterious shoe salesman lends Miss Brooks a custom-made gold slipper until midnight. Miss Brooks is treated to several Cinderella-style presents, from the same mysterious donor, that allow her to attend the masquerade ball at the country club in style. [[spoiler: It turns out the shoe salesman was a millionaire gambler who had placed a bet with a expert shoemaker that he could find a pair of feet that would perfectly fit the custom made slippers. The gifts were partly his reward to Miss Brooks, and partly for laughs.]]
* FairyTaleWeddingDress:
** "Angela's Wedding" begins with Mrs. Davis' sister Angela trying on her wedding dress while carrying her bouquet. It is an elaborate white dress with a veil and a train, with humour coming from the fact Angela is in her latter middle-aged and is quite plump.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale to the series, Miss Brooks pictures herself in one as she fantasizes about marriage to Mr. Boynton. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks finally gets her man at the end of the film]]
* FakeCharity: In the episode "Bobbsey Twins in Stir", a conman is tricking people into [[RefugeInAudacity selling fake tickets to the policemen's ball.]] The proceeds are supposedly going to "widows and orphans".
* FallingInLoveMontage: PlayedForLaughs. Mr. Boynton takes Miss Brooks to the zoo, where they feed an elephant mother and her baby. Then Miss Brooks lures Mr. Boynton away from the zoo, to a sale on furniture in the ''Sherry's Department Store'' window, as a way of suggesting matrimony. Mr. Boynton again starts taking Miss Brooks again to the zoo, where a camera fade shows how much the baby elephant had grown in a couple years.
--> '''Miss Brooks (narrating)''': Ours was not the fastest romance in history, but it took no time to develop into one of the slowest.
* FamilyBusiness:
** Mrs. Nestor's private elementary school in the last television season. Mrs. Nestor is principal, [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute her sister (also named Mrs. Nestor) become the new principal,]] her brother Munsee is vice principal.
** ''The Madison Express'', the Madison daily newspaper owned by Lawrence Nolan. He expects his son Gary to run the paper after he retires.
* FamilyVersusCareer: Several episodes (i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton) suggest that upon achieving her series goal of marriage to Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks intends to resign her position as Madison English teacher. In the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] this is also the case. Family first for Miss Brooks, as her HappilyEverAfter is to become a wife and mother.
* FancyDinner:
** The School Board Banquet in "Stretch is in Love" (radio) and "Suzy Prentisss" (television). It's a black tie event, tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women.
** To a lesser degree, Miss Brooks' dinner at an expensive [[FrenchCuisineIsHaughty French restaurant]] in "French Sadie Hawkins Day".
* {{Fanfare}}: The movie dispenses with the usual series theme, and opens with a fanfare heavy composition.
* TheFashionista: Wealthy Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' rival, is always impeccably dressed.
* FashionMagazine: In the episode "Cosmopolitan Magazine", a photographer arrives from the real-life ''Magazine/{{Cosmopolitan}} Magazine'' to do an article and photo-spread about an average American high school. The trope is somewhat averted, as at the time (1953) Cosmopolitan was an esteemed literary and general interest periodical, and not the sex and fashion magazine it is today. The radio episode was broadcast to coincide with Cosmopolitan's publication of an article on Eve Arden and ''Our Miss Brooks''. [[OlderThanTheyThink An example of the application of media "synergies", at least fifty years before the modern word was coined.]]
* FatalFireworks: In the episode "School Safety Advisor", DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass brings an enormous firecracker to school, preparatory to setting it off for the Fourth of July. Stretch accidentally gets the fuse wet, so he ''attempts to dry it off with a match''. This lights the fuse; fortunately a quick-thinking Miss Brooks throws the firecracker into an empty supply room. Alas, the room wasn't so empty after all! Fortuantely, Mr. Conklin emerged relatively unharmed from that minor explosion!
* FavorsForTheSexy: This happened most notably in the episodes "The Model Schoolteacher" (the radio original) and "The Model Teacher" (the television remake). Walter Denton, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin trip over themselves helping a glamorous ImmoralJournalist from "Snap Magazine". She is at Madison High to do a profile on the day in the life of a schoolteacher, but really views her role as that of doing a hatchet job on Miss Brooks.
* FawltyTowersPlot:
** "Head of the Board": The trouble begins when Walter Denton makes a prank call to Mr. Conklin, claiming to be Wallace T. Hewitt, head of the State Board of Education. Miss Brooks is forced to find an impersonator to play the role and avert Mr. Conklin's wrath. HilarityEnsues.
** "Two-way Stretch Snodgrass": Happens when Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin have Walter Denton masquerade as student athlete Stretch Snodgrass.
* FeelingTheirAge: In "Old Age Plan" the power of suggestion turns Boynton and Conklin into shambling wrecks with one foot in the grave. Miss Brooks is trying to sell an old age savings plan to the two men and, after reading the signs of old age to them, they come down with all the symptoms.
* FeigningIntelligence: In "Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks enlists Walter Denton to masquerade as her nonexistent fourteen year old quiz kid son. Miss Brooks had written an fictional article for "True Family Romance" magazine about her quiz kid son, and needed to prove the story was true in order to collect her payment. HilarityEnsues, especially as Mr. Conklin gets involved . . . .
* FellAsleepStandingUp: Stretch Snodgrass in "Stretch Is In Love Again" falls asleep standing in the school hallway. Judy Brille, daughter of rival high school principal Jason Brille, was colluding with her father to keep Stretch out dating her and dancing to the wee hours of the morning. In that way, they hoped to keep him useless in the big game.
* FileMixup: The episode "Have Bed - Will Travel" sees Mrs Davis' medical records mixed with an ill nonagenarian friend, making Miss Brooks believe her landlady is mortally ill.
* FillItWithFlowers: In "Poetry Mix-Up", Mr. Boynton advises Miss Brooks to request some flowers from the school nursery, in order to brighten up her dreary classroom.
* FilmNoir: The latter part of "Postage Due" is very much film noir influenced, with Miss Brooks providing a PrivateEyeMonologue.
* FinalSeasonCasting: The chaotic and controversial last season of the television series. ExecutiveMeddling saw Miss Brooks take a new job as a teacher at a private elementary school in California (versus the EverytownAmerica setting of Madison). The last season initially sees the departure of everybody but Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin. Mrs. Davis was briefly replaced by her sister Angela, before returning to the picture a couple episodes later. Mrs. Nestor is introduced as Miss Brooks' new boss, only to be replaced by her sister, [[FridgeLogic also named Mrs. Nestor]]. Mr. Boynton is replaced as Miss Brooks' love interest by two gym teachers in quick succession, until finally returning at the end of the program. Harriet Conklin and Walter Denton disappear entirely from Miss Brooks' life, although Mrs. Conklin again made a few appearances toward the end. This was averted on the radio, as the program continued at Madison High School in the [[EverytownAmerica City of Madison]] as per usual. The [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] followed the radio continuity, ignoring the final television season completely.
* FireOfComfort: In the episode "Magic Tree", Miss Brooks spends Christmas Eve in a rocking chair in front Mrs. Davis' fireplace
* FirstNameBasis: [[spoiler: Significantly, making up after an argument midway through the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale grand finale]], Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton finally move to a first name bais, "Connie" and "Phillip" respectively.]]
* FiveFingerDiscount: In "The Bicycle Thief", Stevie, a poor but otherwise honest honor student just can't help himself; he borrows Mr. Conklin's bicycle for his birthday. Miss Brooks tries to prevent Mr. Conklin from discovering the identity of the borrower.
* FlashbackEffects: Visual effects and music were used to signify dream sequences in "Magic Christmas Tree", "The Dream", "King and Miss Brooks" and "Mr. Boynton's Return". Just the music was used for the radio in "Connie's New Job Offer" and the radio version of "Magic Christmas Tree".
* FloorboardFailure: In the GrandFinale, when campaigning for the position of Coordinator of Education, Mr. Conklin falls through the floor of the temporary stage Walter Denton constructed. Walter didn't use enough nails.
* FlorenceNightingaleEffect:
** In the episode "Pensacola Popovers", Miss Brooks tries to work the Florence Nightengale Effect to her benefit by buying Mr. Boynton snacks throughout the morning. Including the titular cookies, which made everyone ''aside from Mr. Boynton'' sick. Mr. Boynton eventually telephones Miss Brooks, asking for her nursing aid. However, it turns out that Mr. Boynton wants Miss Brooks to nurse his pet frog (who had also eaten a Pensacola Popover).
** In "Reunion", one of Miss Brooks' friends had met her husband while she working in a doctor's office. He had visited the doctor due to a slipped disk.
* TheFoodPoisoningIncident: Mrs. Davis is often a CordonBleughChef (try her Limburger omelet), but once she goes straight into LethalChef territory. "Pensacola Popovers", in the episode of the same name, are guaranteed to give man or beast gastric distress. Walter Denton tries one and is sick as a dog. Principal Osgood Conklin tries one, and goes home sick within a half an hour. Mr. Boynton's pet frog Mcdougall licks one, and is reduced to hopping around on his head in a frenzy.
** [[spoiler: Miss Brooks gives a few to LoveInterest Mr. Boynton, in a plot to make him sick so she can nurse him back to health. Alas, Mr. Boynton's cast-iron stomach makes him immune. For awhile, at least. Mr. Boynton calls Miss Brooks as he needs someone to nurse . . . his pet frog Mcdougall. Eventually, the popovers have their effect, and Mr. Boynton faints away at the Biology Club luncheon and is taken to the hospital.]]
--> '''Miss Brooks''' Well, what do you know? A delayed popover!
* FlowersOfFemininity:
** Elderly landlady Mrs. Davis prefers floral wallpaper at home, and dress patterns generally.
** In "Bones, Son of Cyrano" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of "Poetry Mixup"), Miss Brooks requests six small flowerpots for her classroom.
* FoodPorn:
** In "Carelessness Code", a SoundToScreenAdaptation, Miss Brooks has no money for lunch due to Mr. Conklin's arbitrary "carelessness code" fines. A lot of time is spent with Miss Brooks looking hungrily upon Harriet's cafeteria lunch of roast beef and mashed potatoes.
** In the "Thanksgiving Show", Walter Denton describes his typical thanksgiving dinner to Miss Brooks:
--->'''Walter Denton''': Well, usually Mom cooks a big turkey. And we have dinner at about four o'clock in the afternoon. Oh gosh, I'll never forget last year's meal. First we had a fresh fruit cup and then some delicious vegetable soup. And then this golden brown turkey was served with a special dressing of raisons and chestnuts. And then we had some candied yams with a baked marshmallow covering and . . . .
* ForeignQueasine: A staple of early radio episodes, was landlady Mrs. Davis' reliance on outlandish foreign recipes for Miss Brooks' breakfast. One such dish were Armenian Pancakes, which relied on sour goat's milk. Another was an Eskimo recipe for "blubber burgers", whale meat fried in seal fat. Mrs. Davis become more staid as time goes on, and the show moved to television. However, Miss Brooks complains of eating Hungarian Goulash in a later episode. Miss Brooks outright refuses to touch a plate of Veal Scallopini and Garlic Bread Mrs. Davis presents her with one morning.
* ForgottenAnniversary: In "24 Hours", Miss Brooks talks to an irate Martha Conklin; she's furious that Osgood Conklin hadn't bought a present or even mentioned their anniversary. Miss Brooks tries to patch things up by buying a pair of andirons and sending it as a gift in Osgood Conklin's name. Later, Miss Brooks is surprised to find Martha Conklin is angry at Osgood Conklin for buying an expensive pair of andirons. It's made worse when she receives the pair of andirons ''Osgood'' bought for her. He hadn't forgotten after all.
* ForgottenBirthday: In "The Birthday Bag". Miss Brooks forgets her own birthday, while everybody else remembers.
* ForgotToMindTheirHead: Occasionally happens to Mr. Conklin. For example, in one episode he's looking for something under his desk and bumps his head when he gets up.
* ForgotToPayTheBill: In "Public Property on Parade", the electricity is disconnected when Mrs. Davis fails to pay the bill. Miss Brooks is forced to type out a speech by the light of a streetlamp.
* FortuneTeller:
** Mrs. Davis believes tea leaves to be a reliable method of telling the future. Most notably, in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves"]], Mrs. Davis' dresses up as gypsy to read Miss Brooks' tea leaves. Her predictions appear to come true . . . until HilarityEnsues.
** Mrs. Davis also reads tea leaves in the radio episodes "The Weighing Machine" and "Friendship" to varying results. In "Weighing Machine", Mrs. Davis' reading is prompted by the need to double check a fortune Miss Brooks' receives from a penny weighing machine. Here, the readings turn out to be correct . . . but not in the way Mrs. Davis or Miss Brooks expects.
** Mrs. Davis switches to playing cards in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]]. However, Mrs. Davis simply uses the cards as a device to reveal Mr. Boynton's intention to Miss Brooks, in spite of having previously been pledged to secrecy.
* ForYourOwnGood: In "Spare That Rod!", Principal Conklin's rationale for his severe discipline policy. It's for the benefit of the students, the faculty and Madison High School alike.
* FourLeafClover: In "Four Leaf Clover", Miss Brooks picks a four leaf clover that brings her nothing but ''bad'' luck. She eventually pawns it off to a crooked auto mechanic.
* FreePrizeAtTheBottom: [[spoiler: The fateful box of Cracker Jacks, at the end of the film.]]
* FreeRangeChildren: Teenagers Walter Denton, Stretch and Bones Snodgrass tend to be able to go where they please and when. Averted with Harriet Conklin, who Mr. Conklin is (sometimes) seen to keep an eye on.
* FrenchCuisineIsHaughty: In the episode "French Sadie Hawkins Day", Miss Brooks accidentally orders "Parking in Rear" from the snobby maître d'hôtel. She then proceeds to order expensive meals for everybody, ignorant of the fact that she has agreed to pay for the entire dinner.
* FreudianSlip: Miss Brooks sometimes slips something marriage or romance related when talking to Mr. Boynton.
* AFriendInNeed: Miss Brooks can always be counted on to stand by her friends; even Mr. Conklin, her FriendlyEnemy.
** On multiple occasions, she protects Walter Denton from having one of his practical jokes exposed and backfiring on him. "Cure That Habit" and "Mr. Conklin is Honored" are cases in point.
** Miss Brooks is eager to protect [[LoveInterest Mr. Boynton]], naturally enough. "Mr. Conklin Plays Detective", where Miss Brooks believes Mr. Boynton used Mr. Conklin's phone to make a long distance call, is a case in point. Likewise, "The Jewel Robbery", where Miss Brooks wrongly believes Mr. Boynton robbed a store.
** Miss Brooks saves Mr. Conklin's job in "Wake Up Plan" and "Saving the School Newspaper". When Miss Brooks wrongly concludes Mr. Conklin has been fired in "Rumors", she sets up a laundry to raise money.
** Miss Brooks saves Mrs. Davis from a hurried marriage in "Marriage Madness".
* FriendlyEnemies: Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin often kvetch about being the bane of one other's existence. However, depending on their goals, they'll either be working together on friendly terms ("Citizen's League", "Two-way Stretch Snodgrass", "Postage Due"), helping one another ("Cure That Habit", "The Hobby Show"), socializing with one another ("Parlor Game" and "The Birthday Bag") . . . or at loggerheads as if they were sworn enemies ("Old Marblehead", "Business Course", "Secondhand First Aid").
* FriendshipSong: In the episode "Friendship", "Friendship" (''from Theatre/AnythingGoes'') is played between scenes, ever more manically as Miss Brooks' loses friends. Unusually, the two buddies singing the song don't have a role outside the song. In the song's last appearance, about midway through the episode, one friend decides to murder the other:
-->'''The Two Friends''': Friendship\\
Friendship\\
Just a perfect friendship\\
When other friendships be forgot\\
'''Gunshot'''\\
'''Surviving Friend''': '''I''' will still be hot.
* FrivolousLawsuit: In the episode "Mr. Travers' Three Acre Lot". Mr. Conklin ''literally'' sets Miss Brooks up for a fall so he can sue Mr. Travers and force the sale of the eponymous lot.
* FruitCart: Memorably, in "Trial by Jury", Miss Brooks finds herself charged with speeding, reckless driving, driving the wrong way, and crashing into a fruit stand. The unfortunate fruit stand owner again suffers at the hands of Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin's automobile mishaps in "Miss Brooks' New Car". At the end of the episode, Miss Brooks takes a wagon load of fruit to the Conklins as a peace offering. The fruit stand owner had decided to give Miss Brooks his stock and start again in another city.
* FryingPanOfDoom: In "Angela's Wedding", Mrs. Davis uses a frying pan to great effect on the noggin of a gym teacher who [[BerserkButton insults her deviled eggs.]]
* FunWithForeignLanguages: Guaranteed whenever French teacher Mr. [=LeBlanc=] appears.
* FurAndLoathing: Miss Enright, Miss Brooks' snooty, catty [[SitcomArchNemesis rival]], brags about her furs as well as other expensive clothes.
* GagEcho: A notable example occurs in the episode "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo." The titular hobo calls himself "The Earl of Peoria." Miss Brooks responds by asking "How is the Princess Margaret-Rose?" The hobo introduces himself to Mrs. Davis. Mrs. Davis inquires "How is the Princess Margaret Rose?" Walter Denton appears, again asking "Then how's the Princess Margaret Rose?" Finally, Mr. Conklin is introduced to the hobo. He asks "Then how's the Duke of Edinburgh?" Mr. Conklin laughs at his own joke.
* GagHaircut: In "The Hairdo". Miss Enright instructs the hairdresser to sabotage Miss Brook’s hairdo.
* GambitPileup: In "Writing Magazine Articles", Miss Brooks and Mr. Conklin each write fictional articles for "True Family Romance" magazine, neither knowing of the other's "indiscretion". Both are forced to prove the veracity of their fake tale in order to collect their fee. Both enlist Walter Denton to play the part of their respective fake fourteen year old sons . . . in the same place, at the same time. HilarityEnsues.
* GamesOfTheElderly: In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Mrs. Davis mentions how Mrs. Boynton (Mr. Boynton's mother) "beat my brains out" in canasta. [[spoiler: At movie's end, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Boynton finally get Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton married]]
* GenderEqualEnsemble: The six major characters are equally balanced by gender. Three girls: Constance (Connie) Brooks, Margaret Davis and Harriet Conklin. Three boys: Phillip Boynton, Osgood Conklin, and Walter Denton.
* GenreRefugee: Tex Barton, a teenaged cowboy.
* GentlemanAdventurer: Safari O'Toole, in the episode of the same name. He is Mrs. Davis' faithful pen pal, and is noted for his travels through the wilds of DarkestAfrica. [[spoiler: He's also a fake.]]
* GettingTheBoot: Walter Denton complains about his dates with Harriet ending with Mr. Conklin kicking him down the porch steps.ca.
* TheGhost:
** Mrs. Davis' eccentric sister Angela is frequently discussed by Mrs. Davis at the breakfast table. Angela, however, remains unheard (on the radio) and unseen (on television) for quite awhile. Eventually, Jessica makes several appearances on the television series (sometimes as her sister's SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute, at a time when actress Jane Morgan suffered a stroke). The role was played by Canadian actress Jesselyn Fax. Fax also performed the role at least twice on the radio.
** Similarly, Mrs. Davis' much discussed brother Victor goes several years without being seen. He finally makes one appearance in the second television season, the episode "The Egg."
* GiftOfTheMagiPlot: In "Easter Parade", Miss Brooks works during her Spring Break in order in earn money so she can accompany Mr. Boynton to the Easter Parade in a new dress. Meanwhile, Mr. Boynton's working to earn money for a new suit to wear when he takes Miss Brooks to the Easter Parade. Due to TaxDeductions, Miss Brooks doesn't earn enough for the new dress. Mrs. Davis lends her the extra money, Miss Brooks doesn't learn the money is actually coming from Mr. Boynton. Mr. Boynton no longer has enough money for the new suit. Miss Brooks' new dress is messed up when she accidently sits on a couple of Easter Eggs Mrs. Davis hid under the sofa cushions. So she too goes to the parade in her old dress of which she's positively ashamed. Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton both enjoy a heartwarming moment as a result.
* GirlOfTheWeek:
** "New Girl In Town" is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. Walter Denton dates the new girl, while Miss Brooks' LoveInterest Mr. Boynton is attracted to the girl's widowed mother.
** "Life Can Be Bones" sees Miss Brooks romantically threatened by Mr. Boynton's temporary laboratory assistant.
** In "Hello, Mr. Chips", Miss Brooks tries to date an English schoolmaster to make Mr. Boynton jealous.
** In "Clay City English Teacher", scheming Clay City High School principal Jason Brille tries to lure Miss Brooks to his school with the eponymous male teacher. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks won't go unless there's a job for Mr. Boynton too.]]
* GirlsBehindBars:
** In "The Embezzled Dress" (a SoundToScreenAdaptation of "Student Banking"), Miss Brooks fears being sent to prison. Landlady Mrs. Davis had unknowingly spent the students' bank money left in Miss Brooks' care, thinking it was Miss Brooks' back rent. Walter Denton, trying to teach Miss Brooks up, tells her about the conditions at the State Prison for Women. It involves mopping the floors all day; as there are not enough mops to go around, many of the inmates have to clean the floors on their hands and knees.
** In "Bobbsey Twins in Stir", Mrs. Davis, and later Miss Brooks, are briefly in jail after they're tricked into selling phony tickets to the policeman's ball.
* GirlsWithMustaches: In "Madame Brooks Dubarry", Mrs. Davis wears a fake mustache when she dons a UsefulNotes/TheodoreRoosevelt costume for a party.
* GirlySkirtTwirl: Miss Brooks does one in her fantasy sequence in the series' [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]]. She's dreaming about her life married to Mr. Boynton.
* GiveMeBackMyWallet: In "The Burglar", Mr. Conklin wakes up from his nap discovering a burglar in the process of absconding with the basket of fried chicken his wife cooked for him.
* GladIThoughtOfIt: Mr. Conklin uses this trope from time-to-time, usually at Connie's expense. However, being a DeadpanSnarker, Connie doesn't let this go without remark.
* TheGlassesGotToGo: Said by Miss Brooks in "The Dancer." She had tried on a pair of glasses to see if Mr. Boynton will find her attractive in them. Mr. Boynton complimented Miss Brooks on how "mature" she looks.
* GoGetterGirl: Harriet Conklin is a straight A student, Student Council President, and member of a number of clubs. Next to her boyfriend, Walter Denton, she's probably Miss Brooks' biggest TeachersPet. She's also seen as the only student who likes the principal, likely because she's his daughter.
* GoingDownWithTheShip: In "An American Tragedy", Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks are stranded on a rowboat in the middle of Crystal Lake. Mr. Conklin proclaims himself captain, however it turns out the rowboat is leaking and starts to sink. Neither Mr. Conklin nor Miss Brooks can swim . . . .
-->'''Mr. Conklin''' (panicking): [[HypocriticalHumor Well keep your head, Boynton!]] Don't get panicky! Don't get panicky, boy! You need all your strength, every ounce of it to tow '''me''' ashore!
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Tow you ashore? What about me, sir? I can't swim either, and you know the tradition of the sea, the captain goes down with his ship!
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Not in this ship!
** [[spoiler: Fortunately, they had unknowingly drifted near the shore and the water under the boat was only three feet deep]]
* GoldDigger: In "Marriage Madness", the butcher's new business partner tries to marry Mrs. Davis for her money. It seems as if he's been often married, starting with the time in school he ran off with his French teacher.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': If he had said English teacher, I would have screamed!
* GoodGuyBar: Marty's Malt Shop is the usual hangout for teachers and students alike, outside school.
* GoodOlBoy: In "Four Fiances", the Texan to whom Miss Brooks finds herself unwittingly engaged. The gentleman is portrayed sympathetically.
* GoodParents: Martha Conklin, mother of HairOfGoldHeartOfGold Harriet Conklin. Unfortunately, it doesn't apply to Harriet's father, Osgood Conklin. Although Harriet and her father are close, Osgood Conklin is pompous and [[OverprotectiveDad overprotective.]]
* GoshDangItToHeck: Used from time to time, often making the avoidance humorous in itself:
** Sometimes, swear words are referred to obliquely. For example, in "Stretch is Accused Of Professionalism, there's this exchange between Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks:
-->'''Mr. Boynton''': Stretch has as much chance of passing that test as, well, . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Maybe one of them didn't melt down there.
** Miss Brooks censors Walter Denton at breakfast when he's complaining about Mr. Conklin:
-->'''Walter Denton''': Miss Brooks, Mr. Conklin is making my otherwise placid existence a living . . . .
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Walter!
-->'''Walter Denton''': Inferno?
** Words like "dang" and "heck" are often treated seriously. When Mr. Boynton uses it in the cafeteria HilarityEnsues:
--> '''Walter Denton''': Language!
--> '''Mr. Boynton''': Oh, sorry Miss Brooks.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': That's all right, Mr. Boynton. In such times, even I resort to a mild profanity. ''Whoa Nelly''!
** On a more serious note, Mr. Conklin's favourite exclamation is the mild"Gad!"; likely to avoid blasphemy and breaking The Third Commandment.
** In a RealLife Moment of Heartwarming, Creator/EveArden asked the radio and later the television crew not to swear on set as there were kids working on the show.
* GossipyHens:
** In "The Party Line", the two woman who share Miss Brooks' party telephone line hold up the phone gossiping all day. The women also listen in on Miss Brooks' conversations and gossip about Miss Brooks, Mrs. Davis and Mr. Boynton.
** Mrs. Davis and her sister Angela, on occasion. Of course, they'll deny being gossips...
* GoToSleepEnding: The episode "Wake-Up Plan" ends with Miss Brooks finding Mr. Boynton sleeping on a bench in the hallway, just outside Mr. Conklin's office. Miss Brooks sits on his lap.
--->'''Miss Brooks''': Oh well, might as well make it unanimous. Good night all.
--->'''Mr. Boynton''': (whistles in his sleep)
* GotVolunteered: Miss Brooks often finds herself volunteered by Mr. Conklin to do his secretarial, typing or speechwriting work; i.e. Aunt Mattie Boynton, Public Property on Parade.
* GrammarNazi: Miss Brooks herself is a mild example, as an English teacher she's often heard correcting Walter Denton or Stretch Snodgrass' grammar. Here, it's [[JustifiedTrope justified]].
* GrandeDame: Mrs. Grabar in "Madison Country Club". Mr. Conklin intends to squeeze money out of the rich dowager so he can redecorate his office. When she arrives, he plans on staging quite a show of poverty, complete with the staff dressed like hobos. Miss Brooks and company have other plans. HilarityEnsues.
* GrandRomanticGesture: In the episode "Clay City English Teacher", Mr. Boynton tries to impress Miss Brooks by imitating Literature/SamSpade. [[ItMakesSenseInContext It makes sense in context.]]
* GrannyClassic: Mrs. Davis is often portrayed this way; she's kind, loves to cook, sews and knits, and has a pet cat named Minerva. [[spoiler: In TheMovie GrandFinale she's responsible the marriage of Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton]]
* GratuitousSpanish: Mexican boy Ricky Velasco in "The Miserable Caballero" and "Buddy", in the last television season Mexican student Benny Romero. Both parts were played by child actor Ricky Vera.
* GrayRainOfDepression: In "The Pet Shop", a misunderstanding means that Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton are likely to stand one another up for their date. At the last moment, Miss Brooks decides to go wait for Mr. Boynton outside the pet shop as promised. Miss Brooks waits, likely in vain, as a grey rain of depression falls. [[spoiler:Mr. Boynton also cannot stay away, and the misunderstanding is cleared. The rain likewise clears, and Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton go out on their date.]]
* GreasySpoon: Miss Brooks moonlights in one, taking the identity of her nonexistent identical twin, in the episode "Connie and Bonnie".
* GretzkyHasTheBall: Miss Brooks' knowledge of sports ranges from the excellent to the ridiculously inadequate.
** In "Bronco Dismissed" the trope is averted, as Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton substitute coach for the football team without any difficulty. Likewise in other episodes such as "Baseball Slide" and "The Big Game". In some episodes, however, Miss Brooks is very much in the dark . . . .
** In "Game At Clay City", Miss Brooks' football knowledge isn't lacking, but Mr. Boynton admits to being clueless as to most if not all sports. He even asks who's pitching for the football team.
** In "The Grudge Match", Miss Brooks confuses the baseball term "bullpen" with "pigpen". She also mistakenly calls pitchers "chuckers". She later redeems herself, by serving as the announcer for the titular boxing match.
** In "Stretch Is In Love Again", Miss Brooks cheers on a dead tired Stretch Snodgrass when he runs the wrong way and scores on Madison.
** In "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", when Mr. Conklin calls Stretch one of the most promising high school tailbacks in the country, Miss Brooks look behind Stretch to see if he had a tail.
* GreyscaleOfEvil: Osgood Conklin prefers to dress in black three-piece suits, or at least dark colors. Although the program appeared on television and film in black and white, and didn't "appear" at all on the radio, this tendency is mentioned several times:
** "First Day": Mr. Conklin not only dressed in black, but drove a large black sedan that Walter Denton compares to a hearse.
** "Friday The Thirteenth": Mr. Conklin brags about his respectable black suit and hat to his daughter. He worries that his "midnight blue" tie might be loud.
* GrinOfAudacity:
** Sported by Walter Denton, whenever conniving to pull an especially severe prank on Mr. Conklin. Being told off sometimes serves to encourage the grin (except by Mr. Conklin himself, of whom Denton is somewhat afraid). Noticeable in "Wild Goose", "Space, Who Needs It?", "Cure That Habit", "Marinated Hearing" and "Spare That Rod!".
** Walter is also proud of having a "dark secret". In "Citizen's League", Miss Brooks suffers from guilt for having [[spoiler: accidentally stuck a pin in the seat of the church organist Mrs. Dunfy when fitting her dress for the governor's wedding]]. Miss Brooks asks Walter if he himself has a dark secret. Walter [[AnnoyingLaugh smirks, laughs, and says he does.]] [[spoiler: However, after being chewed out by Miss Brooks, Walter admits it's far from terrible, and again in the nature of a teenage prank.]]
** In "Wake Up Plan", Mr. Conklin laughs at his having sent a letter to the board of education, reporting Miss Brooks for missing her morning classes. This is in spite of admitted to himself, out loud, that it was a terrible thing to do.
** In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mrs. Davis suggests to Mr. Boynton that Lawrence Nolan had induced Miss Brooks to take a trip on his yacht so he might seduce her. Mr. Boynton is outraged, and begins frantically checking his address book. Meanwhile, Mrs. Davis smiles and stifles a giggles, overjoyed that her use of OperationJealousy was off to a fine start!
* GuysAreSlobs: Walter Denton in "Mr. Boynton's Parents". Walter mentions that one of the reasons he wants to honour his mother on Mother's Day is she picks up after him; a typical teen boy, he leaves his room a mess and his clothes all over the floor.
* HalloweenEpisode: The first season of the radio series has an episode where Walter and Stretch convince Miss Brooks to throw a Halloween party with the promise of inviting Mr. Boynton.
* {{Hallucinations}}: In "Halloween Party", Mr. Conklin is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He starts seeing things, such as a large dog in the doctor's waiting room.
* HamToHamCombat: Any episode where Madison High Principal Osgood Conklin faces his archrival, Clay City High School Principal Jason Brill.
* HandGagging: In "Magic Christmas Tree", Miss Brooks puts her hand over Walter Denton's mouth to stop his painfully off-key rendition of "Deck The Halls".
* {{Handgun}}: In "The Stolen Wardrobe", thieves valuable clothes stolen Sherry's with Miss Brooks, tricking her into believing it's a prize for being best dressed teacher at Madison High School. Mr. Conklin, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton attempt to return the clothes, but are shot at by (in Mr. Conklin's words) "a trigger-happy flat-floot" and flee the store. Later, the police-officer, handgun holdstered, shows up at Mrs. Davis' house.
* HappilyEverAfter: After eight years on the radio, and four on television, Miss Connie Brooks finally gets her happily ever after at the end of TheMovie GrandFinale. Or, to be more accurate, '''Mrs. Connie Boynton''' gets her happily ever after!
* HappilyMarried:
** Osgood and Martha Conklin are very much in love. In the episode "Mr. Boynton's Parents", Mr. Conklin even buys his wife a black sheer negligee for Mother's Day!
** At the end of The Movie Grand Finale, the same applies to Phil Boynton and Connie Boynton nee Brooks. The last few moments of the film sees them leave the zoo arm and arm, and their future home with "The End" superimposed over the shot.
* HappyBirthdayToYou: Miss Brooks' friends gave her a surprise party on the radio, in [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Suprise Party"]]. The episode was later remade for television under the title "The Birthday Bag". Miss Brooks starts the rendition to dodge Mr. Conklin's question, ''How old are you?"
-->'''Miss Brooks:''' ''Happy Birthday to me\\
Happy Birthday to me\\
'''Everybody''': Happy Birthday dear [[LastNameBasis Our Miss Brooks]]\\
Happy Birthday tooo you!''
* HardboiledDetective:
** In "Postage Due", Miss Brooks plays the hard boiled detective as she searches for the missing postman.
** "Clay City English Teacher" has Mr. Boynton consciously imitates Sam Spade in an attempt to lure Miss Brooks away from the eponymous teacher.
* HarmlessVillain: Mr. Conklin, when he serves as the antagonist on the series. His schemes usually involve some petty mischief serving his self-aggrandizement or his greed.
** For example, in "Old Marblehead", he shakes down students and faculty by creating a "Carelessness Code" and fining them mercilessly. His goal is to pay for a bust of his head in the school library - and he intends to destroy the existing bust of Julius Caesar to ensure he takes his rightful place. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks simply tricks him into busting the wrong bust.]]
** Another episode, "Home Cooked Meal", sees Mr. Conklin use the cafeteria freezer to freely store his own food. [[spoiler: He buys a freezer of his own, after Miss Brooks and Walter Denton accidently lock him inside]].
** In "The Big Jump", Mr. Conklin plots to force Miss Brooks to jump off the roof of the school as a publicity stunt for a civil defense drill. [[spoiler: Walter Denton lights some smudge pots on the stairs to the roof, leading to Mr. Conklin and Mr. Boynton jumping off in a panic]]
** In the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]], Mr. Conklin plots to be elected the new Coordinator of Education. [[spoiler: Mr. Stone, the existing board superintendent (or equivalent), forces Mr. Conklin to withdraw by setting the new post's salary as a measly honorarium of %500.00.]]
* HatOfAuthority: In "Public Property on Parade", the Mayor of Madison is seen either wearing his top hat or carrying it about.
* HeadTurningBeauty:
** In "New Girl", all the boys at Madison immediately fall for the titular girl. Worse, from Miss Brooks' perspective, Mr. Boynton starts to fall for her mother.
** The ''Madison Express's'' new lonely hearts columnist. Every man (and boy) in the newsroom literally turns their head to look at her as she walks by.
* HeelFaceTurn: In "Mr. Whipple", Miss Brooks, Walter Denton and Mr. Conklin are so affected by the story of the eponymous Mr. Whipple, a man who hasn't has a bite of solid food for a week. It turns out Mr. Whipple is a bad tempered miser who's on a liquid diet. No matter, the show of kindness melts Mr. Whipple to the point where he undergoes a heel-face turn and donates the money for Madison's new gymnasium.
* HeldGaze:
** In ''The Magic Tree", before Mr. Boynton kisses Miss Brooks. [[spoiler: It's AllJustADream]].
** Just before, and after, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton share a kiss in the series' [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]].
* HeroicBystander: Clay City High School Principal Jason Brill plays the part when he saves Miss Brooks from falling down an open elevator shaft. Madison High School Principal Osgood Conklin tries to match this feat with a "fake" heroic bystander rescue. [[spoiler: Conklin stages a real rescue when the superintendent, Mr. Stone, himself falls into an open elevator shaft.]]
* HerosClassicCar: Through the series, Walter Denton drives a 1930's style jalopy; also qualified as TheAllegedCar. In TheMovie GrandFinale, Mr. Boynton borrows the car to drive to Crystal Bay and "rescue" Miss Brooks from Lawrence Nolan.
* HiccupHijinks:
** In "Cure That Habit", Mr. Conklin has a bad case of the hiccups and suffers through two hiccup remedies. One is a revolting and ineffective mixture cooked up by Mrs. Davis. The second is student athlete Stretch Snodgrass' attempt to cure Mr. Conklin's hiccups by spinning him around in a chair.
** In "Trial by Jury" and "Mr. Conklin's Love Nest", Mr. Boynton suffers psychosomatic cases of the hiccups from either lying or acute embarrassment.
* HiddenHeartOfGold: Mr. Conklin, a.k.a. "Old Marblehead", may be a pompous, dictatorial, underhanded dictator of a principal, but from time to time he shows his good side:
** In "The Hobby Show" he helps fix broken toys to give to needy children.
** He's a member of the "Citizen's League."
** He helps throw a Christmas Party when he believes Mrs. Davis' sister Angela is dying in "A Dry Scalp is Better Then None."
** He helps Miss Brooks and co. find a missing postman in "Postage Due."
** Offers to adopt orphans in "The Twin Orphans" and "The Miserable Caballero."
** He helps Miss Brooks and Mrs. Davis out of problematic situations in "Four Fiances" and "Marriage Madness," among others.
** In "Weekend at Crystal Lake" he is worried that Mr. Boynton is going to repeat ''Literature/AnAmericanTragedy'' and hides under the boat tarpaulin to try and save Miss Brooks.
* HighSchoolDance: A school dance drives the plot in several episodes. "Wishing Well Dance" sees Miss Brooks' hair clipped throughout the day as a gift for Mr. Boynton (to make a pillow for his pet frog). "Mr. Whipple" features Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton as Queen and King of the last dance to be held in the old gymnasium. The costumed dance in "Oh, Dem Gold Slippers" is shown, where Miss Brooks is dressed in a gown.
* HighSchoolHustler: Walter Denton, who was the bane of Principal Osgood Conklin's existence. Not least, because Walter was dating Mr. Conklin's Harriet. On several occasions, Mr. Conklin was the victim of Walter's pranks. For example:
** In "Cure That Habit", Walter applies to an alcoholism treatment program in Mr. Conklin's name; HilarityEnsues when the president of the company warns the head of the board of education that Mr. Conklin is a hopeless drunk.
** "Wild Goose" has Walter trick Mr. Conklin into thinking that he's won a free t.v. from Sherry's Department Store. HilarityEnsues as Mr. Conklin sends Miss Brooks to pick up his "prize".
** In "Space, Who Needs It?", Walter hides a shotgun pellet and buckshot in Mr. Conklin's homemade telescope. Mr. Conklin thinks he's discovered a new planet and her three moons, which he immediately christens "Conklin Junior". Walter then uses a toy flying saucer and wind-up space men to make Mr. Conklin think Madison is being invaded by space aliens.
* HilarityInZoos: It's a running gag that Mr. Boynton usually takes Miss Brooks to the zoo on their dates.
* TheHilarityOfHats: In "Bargain Hats For Mother's Day," Mrs. Davis asks Miss Brooks to sell the homemade hats she made. They feature an imitation sparrow perched upon imitation fruit. Mr. Conklin buys one for his wife Martha, Mr. Boynton buys one for his mother, Walter Denton gets one to use as a table centerpiece, while GenreRefugee Tex Barton buys one for his horse Lucy. [[HilarityEnsues Unfortunately, the recipients, even Lucy, are fanatics about having individualized wearing apparel . . . .]]
* HintDropping: Miss Brooks drops plenty of hints for Mr. Boynton. He rarely catches on.
* HiredForTheirLooks: In TheMovie GrandFinale, it's implied that the city editor hired the new "Miss Lonely Hearts" entirely on her looks. When she walks to the water cooler, she's the subject of the MaleGaze of every reporter in the room. Including the boss's son (Gary Nolan) and later the boss, Lawrence Nolan.
* HobbesWasRight: This is Mr. Conklin's belief, leastways when it comes to running a high school. Conklin essentially says as much to Miss Brooks in "Spare That Rod!". Conklin's military strictness would later put him under the opprobrium of the school board president, Mr. Stone, in the [[TheMovie theatrical]] [[GrandFinale series finale.]]
* {{Hobos}}: Miss Brooks deals with hobos in the episodes "Hobo Jungle" and "Miss Brooks Writes About a Hobo".
* HollywoodDarkness: Night scenes were usually shot uncommonly well. "The Burglar" and "Public Property on Parade" have nighttime scenes that are about as dark as you'd expect. However, the trope arises in "Wake-Up Plan", where the Conklin's hallway is suspiciously bright.
* HollywoodGenetics: Brown-haired Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have a blonde daughter, Harriet.
* HollywoodKiss: Miss Brooks [[spoiler: dreams she gets one from Mr. Boynton]] in "Magic Christmas Tree". Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks finally share a Hollywood kiss midway through the film.
* HollywoodLaw: In the episode "Hospital Capers". A lawyer (a literal ambulance chaser) gets Mr. Boynton to sign a contract hiring him a counsel; the contract features a hefty penalty if Mr. Boynton chooses to terminate his representation. When Miss Brooks visits the lawyer, he hands her ever larger magnifying glasses to [[ReadTheFinePrint read the contract's fine print]]. {{Lampshaded}} when the lawyer admits to Miss Brooks that he's been disbarred in several states.
* HollywoodNatives: In "Bartering With Chief Thundercloud", the eponymous chief and his wife.
* HollywoodSpelling: Averted in the episode "Suzie Prentisss", where the eponymous Suzie misspells her last name by giving it an extra "s".
* HomemadeSweaterFromHell: In "Home Cooked Meal", Miss Enright knits one for Mr. Boynton. One arm is terribly short, tight, and cuts off his circulation. The other is far too long.
* HomeSweetHome: [[spoiler: At the end of the film, Mr. Boynton and Miss Brooks marry and move into the house across the street from Mrs. Davis'.]]
* HotSauceDrinking:
** Mr. Boynton likes hot food. In "Mr. Boynton's Barbeque" he treats Mr. Conklin and Miss Enright to his [[BlazingInfernoHellfireSauce "mild" barbecue sauce]]. The two run for water.
** In the episode, "The Miserable Caballeros", Mexican boy Ricky Velasco proceeds to put an extraordinary amount of pepper and spices on his lunch. He tells Miss Brooks that he finds American food too bland.
* {{Housewife}}:
** Martha Conklin is a housewife
** Miss Brooks' SeriesGoal is to marry Mr. Boynton. In several episodes (i.e. "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton") it is made explicit that Miss Brooks wants to become a fulltime housewife and mother.
* HourglassPlot: The penultimate episode of the television series, "Principal For A Day", has Miss Brooks appointed principal and Mr. Conklin become a History (not English) teacher. Because StatusQuoIsGod, their respective positions are restored at the end. Neither seem to learn much from the episode. Miss Brooks enjoys herself thoroughly, and other than adding feminine touches to her office and spending some quality time with [[LoveInterest Mr. Boynton]] doesn't abuse her power. Mr. Conklin's temporary humility, and appreciativeness to Miss Brooks' giving him the teaching position, is cast off as soon as he becomes principal again. It helps that Mr. Conklin is a pompous JerkWithAHeartOfGold and not an outright villain.
* HowTheMightyHaveFallen: Said by Stretch Snodgrass ([[DumbJock of all people]]) of Mr. Conklin, in the episode "Letter From The Board of Education. Walter Denton speaks the line in the [[SoundtoScreenAdaptation television remake]], "Spare That Rod". [[spoiler: Walter Denton had forged a letter threatening Mr. Conklin with dismissal for being "flagrantly dictatorial" in his disciplinary methods. Mr. Conklin was forcing himself to be meek and humble as a result.]]
* IAmVeryBritish: The visiting English headmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips".
* IAteWhat: In "The Model School Teacher". The editor of ''Snap Magazine'' has eatten CordonBleughChef Mrs. Davis' waffles. He thinks they're good, until he learns what was in it. The joke is ommitted (along with the magazine editor's character) in the [[SoundToScreenAdaptation television remake]] "The Model Teacher".
* IdenticalGrandson: In "The Dream", Miss Brooks' daughter Cleo Boynton is her mirror-image. Similarly, Osgood Conklin Junior looks just like his father.
* IdiotBall:
** Whenever Stretch Snodgrass appears he has idiot ball firmly in hand. i.e. "The Auction", "Stuffed Gopher".
** The same applies to Stretch's brother [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Bones]], i.e. "Marinated Hearing".
** The idiot ball also passes into Walter Denton's clutches on occasion, i.e. "Living Statues", "Cure That Habit".
* IdioticPartnerConfession: The episode "Blue Goldfish" sees Harriet Conklin reveal the truth about Mr. Conklin's much vaunted tolerance to the cold.
* IfIWereARichMan: In "King and Brooks", Miss Brooks dreams about what life would be like married to a maharajah.
* TheIllegal: In the episode "Two Way Stretch Snodgrass", Mr. Conklin and Miss Brooks, [[ItMakesSenseInContext pretending to be Stretch Snodgrass' parents]], spin [[BlatantLies a story of illegal immigration and a secret marriage to preserve their masquerade]]. Mr. Conklin's daughter Harriet walked in the room, threatening to blow up the scheme when she identifies Mr. Conklin as her father and claimed her mother (Martha Conklin) was nowhere in sight.
--> '''Miss Brooks'''; Your father and I, your father and me, we've been secretly married for sixteen years.
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': But I'm almost seventeen.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': I'm over seventeen. I was hoping you wouldn't notice it.
--> '''Biff Mooney'''': What is this all about? Mrs. Snodgrass, I demand to know the truth!
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': Mrs. Snodgrass!
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': You might as well know the whole story Harriet. As a poor but honest immigrant, I entered this country illegally. Your mother and I started out from the old country together.
--> '''Miss Brooks''': But I, your mother, couldn't make it. They shot me at the border. Of course, years later I was smuggled into the country.
--> '''Mr. Conklin''': With a group of Oriental laborers.
--> '''Harriet Conklin''': Oriental laborers?
--> '''Miss Brooks''': Don't look down your nose at me, girl. I helped build Boulder Dam!
* TheIllegible: In the radio episode "Letter to the Education Board", Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton struggle to read Stretch Snodgrass' essay. It was remade on television as "Marinated Hearing", where the sloppy essay was written by Stretch's brother Bones.
* ImmoralJournalist: Stephanie Forest in the episodes "The Model Schoolteacher" (the radio original) and "The Model Teacher" (the television remake). Forester is at Madison High School to do a profile on the day in the life of a schoolteacher, but really views her role as that of doing a hatchet job on Miss Brooks - taking as many insulting and unrepresentative photographs as possible. Miss Brooks covertly removes the unflattering photos, and, in the television version, disposes of Miss Forest by noon; Miss Forest receives a telegram stating her editor wants her in Florida, ''immediatley''.
--> '''Stephanie Forest''': Now, as I was saying my dear. I don't want you to do a thing for this picture. Realism is what our readers want. The eyelids practically stuck together, the little straggly clumps of hair flopping over the ears, and those little tired lines around the mouth that look as if you just tasted a raw lambchop. We want you just the way you are!
* ImADoctorNotAPlaceholder: Used in the episode "Suzi Prentiss". Miss Brooks tells Mr. Conklin, "I'm a teacher, not a psychiatrist."
* ImplausibleDeniability: In "Taking the Rap for Mr. Boynton", Miss Brooks tries to frame Mr. Boynton by drawing a cartoon with Mr. Conklin as a mouse in with Mr. Boynton's reports. Mr. Boynton catches her redhanded, and Miss Brooks tries to deny it.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[SarcasmMode Eek, a mouse.]]
* ImprobablyCoolCar: Walter Denton's car is stated to be a jalopy. On the radio, one can leave it up to one's imagination or various uncomplimentary descriptions of the vehicle. However, on television, it was different. On the rare occasion when it's seen up close, or being driven on the street, it appears to be a vintage 1930's or 1940's roadster. If one looks closely, in an early episode Walter placed a custom badge naming his car the "Denton Special". Somewhat averted in TheMovie GrandFinale however, when Mr. Boynton borrows the car four inner tubes go flat. The car is also visibly smoking when Mr. Boynton drives Miss Brooks home from Crystal Bay ([[CanonDiscontinuity Crystal Lake in the rest of the series]]).
* ImprovisedSail: In "An American Tragedy", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin are stranded on a rowboat in the middle of Crystal Lake. Mr. Conklin suggests using Mr. Boynton's shirt as a sail. Miss Brooks ups the ante:
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Let's try to get organized, shall we? Clear thinking is the ticket. Lacking an oar, we shall need to improvise a sail immediately. I shall need a large, white garment. Miss Brooks?
-->'''Miss Brooks''': You won't get a stitch from me.
-->'''Mr. Conklin''': Well, then, Boynton. I suggest we use your shirt as a sail.
-->'''Miss Brooks''': [[LoveInterest Second the motion. And let's throw in his undershirt, too, sir. Ha. His shirt ought to do nicely.]]
* InadvertentEntranceCue: In the episode "Stuffed Gopher", Miss Brooks asks Walter Denton the fatal question "Who could be so stupid?". Into the cafeteria walks [[DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass]].
* IncorruptiblePurePureness:
** Harriet Conklin. Her motives are always displayed as unselfish or honest, in spite of her father Mr. Conklin being oft unprincipled and her boyfriend Walter Denton being an inveterate schemer and practical joker.
** Phillip Boynton, Miss Brooks' LoveInterest. He's considered by everybody to be the "soul of honesty". In "Trial by Jury", it's revealed that trying to lie makes Mr. Boynton break into the hiccups.
* IndianBurialGround: The promise of a large reward sees Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton and Walter Denton searching for one in the episode [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "Indian Burial Ground"]]. The trope is partially subverted as the supernatural plays no role in the program. This is fortunate for Miss Brooks and company, as they end up digging up an empty lot in search of artifacts!
* IndubitablyUninterestingIndividual: Mr. Boynton, Miss Brooks' {{Adorkable}} LoveInterest lives this trope. He likes to play chess. He hangs out at the Biologists Club. His other hobbies include leading a Boy Scout troop and taking care of his pet frog [=McDougall=]. He likes to take Miss Brooks to the zoo on their dates. His bedtime is usually ten o'clock, but is known to stay up until eleven on New Year's Eve. In "Hello Mr. Chips", Mrs. Davis remarks his habits are like those of a much older man.
* IndyPloy: In the episode "April Fool's Day", Miss Brooks attends an "Everybody Must Do Something Party". [[spoiler: She stalls for time to avoid Miss Enright embarrassing her with an April Fool's Day joke. Miss Brooks plays the ukulele, sings, recites poetry, finally resorting to reading the phonebook aloud.]]
* INeedToGoIronMyDog: In "Heat Wave", Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Walter Denton, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass all get excused from school and find themselves at a farmer's swimming pond through a variety of lame excuses. Miss Brooks, in fact, runs off telling Mr. Conklin that she has to go to the pond to get water [[ItMakesSenseInContext to put out the fire she accidentally started in his office.]]
* InformedAbility: Miss Brooks is said to be a wonderful English teacher. But given that an episode that was actually showed Miss Brooks teaching high school would be rather dull, one has to take it on trust. The few times she is shown tutoring English, it's played for laughs i.e. The radio episode "English Test" sees her give a crash course to DumbJock Stretch Snograss. This was remade into the television episode, "The Yodar Kritch Award", with [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute Stretch's brother Bones]].
* InformedAttractiveness: Apparently, the visiting English schoolmaster in "Hello, Mr. Chips" is attractive. You can tell by the reaction of Miss Brooks, Harriet Conklin, and even Mrs. Davis.
* TheIngenue: Harriet Conklin is kind, sweet and optimistic, suprisingly given her father Mr. Conklin is a MrViceGuy. While Miss Brooks is a nice person, she's somewhat too much a DeadpanSnarker to meet this trope.
* InstantIllness: In "Measles", Miss Brooks catches the measles within twelve hours of being exposed to them.
* InstantWakingSkills: Miss Brooks when waken by her alarm clock. Also happens when she's waken by a reporter in "Model Teacher". Sometimes, however, Miss Brooks is simply NotAMorningPerson.
* InstructionalFilm: In "Audio-Visual Experiment", Miss Brooks rents a filmed version of the poem "Lady of the Lake" to show her class after she's left early for the day. Unfortunately, a disgruntled employee of the educational film company had mixed up films and canisters in revenge. The boys in the class stay late to repeatedly watch "Sirens of the Screen, Past and Present". Later on, Mrs. Davis' lady's aid meeting rents "Shearing Sheep in Big Billibong, Australia" only to have a film with scenes backstage in a women's dressing room. The company tries to rectify the mistake by giving Miss Brooks a film about the workings of the board of education, but end up giving her one all about Las Vegas and gambling.
* {{Instrumentals}}/InstrumentalThemeTune: The opening and closing themes, composed by Wilbur Hatch.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Miss Brooks is friends with sixteen-year-old Walter Denton, and, to a lesser extent, Harriet Conklin and Stretch Snodgrass. However, Miss Brooks herself would surely object to the label!
* InternalReveal: Many times. [[HilarityEnsues Hilarity always ensues]]. Here are a few examples:
** In the "Wrong Mrs. Boynton", Miss Brooks offers to pretend to be Mrs. Boynton - that is, to say Mr. Boynton's ''wife'' - in order to impress the dean of the local college. What Miss Brooks doesn't know, but the audience does, is that she had unwittingly agreed to play the part of Mr. Boynton's ''mother''.
** In "Mrs. Davis reads Tea Leaves", Miss Brooks overhears a conversation between Mr. Boynton and Harriet, and jumps to the conclusion that Mr. Boynton is finally going to marry her and move with her to honeymoon cottage on the edge of town. [[spoiler: The audience hears the entire conversation. It turns out that Mr. Boynton wants to open a summer camp. Cue Miss Brooks stunned reaction when he proposes they have twenty kids (that is to say, campers). Not to mention the fact that Mr. Conklin also attempts to "propose".]]
** Similarly, in "June Bride", Walter Denton and the Conklins assume that Mr. Boynton has finally proposed to Miss Brooks, and the two are to be married that same day. In actuality, Miss Brooks had agreed to be the proxy for Monsieur [=LeBlanc=]'s French bride.
** In "Radio Bombay", a newscast on Walter's homemade radio forecasts the imminent arrival of a strong hurricane. Unfortunately, nobody is around to hear that the newscast originates from Bombay, India.
** In "Spare That Rod", Walter Denton and Stretch Snodgrass alter a ten year old letter they find addressed to a previous principal. The letter was from the head of the board, accusing the principal of being "flagrantly dictatorial" in his management of the school. They use a typewriter to readdress the letter to Principal Conklin.
** In "Bobbsey Twins In Stir". Mrs. Davis had been arrested after having unwittingly sold forged tickets to the [[RefugeInAudacity policeman's ball]]. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks, Mr. Boynton, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Stone soon end up being drawn into the scheme - and arrested - as well.]]
** Most significantly, in TheMovie. [[spoiler: Mr. Boynton tells Mrs. Davis that he finally intends to propose to Miss Brooks. Mrs. Davis soon reveals all to Miss Brooks, while pretending to tell her fortune.]]
* InTheLocalTongue: "Oo Oo Me Me Tocoludi Gucci Moo Moo", in the episode of the same name. It's the name of an isolated lake deep in the wilderness. It's the local Indians' word for blue.
* IntimidatingRevenueService: In "Mrs. Davis Reads Tea Leaves", Miss Brooks is aghast to discover she's recieved a letter from the IRS:
-->'''Miss Brooks''': Collector of Internal Revenue! Not what's the matter with him! I paid my taxes in January!
* IResembleThatRemark: In one episode, Miss Brooks suggests Mr. Conklin never had any friends. [[ComicallyMissingThePoint Mr. Conklin replies that as a boy he was very good friends with his mother.]]
* IronicNickname: In "Wild Goose", Miss Brooks refers to DumbJock Stretch Snodgrass as "the brain."
* IShouldWriteABookAboutThis: In the episode "Miss Brooks Writes About A Hobo," Miss Brooks seeks out a hobo to write an article entitled "The Vanishing Hobo." At the end of the episode, the hobo relates he had bought a set of new clothes with the money he earned from writing about "The Vanishing Schoolteacher."
* IsThisThingOn: Miss Brooks tests the microphone before beginning announcing duties at the titular "Walter v. Stretch Grudge Match".
* ItaliansTalkWithHands: Mr. Morelli, an Italian barber in "Four Leaf Clover", lives this trope. He never speaks without gesticulating.
* ItsALongStory: Sometimes, an episode will end with Miss Brooks returning home in the evening to discuss the events of the day with Mrs. Davis.
* ItsThePrincipleOfTheThing: In "Spare That Rod!" Mr. Conklin berates Miss Brooks for not having her blackboard cleared at the end of the day. He had gone into her classroom after school and found that a student had written "Old man Conklin is a birdbrain." When Miss Brooks protests her punishment, Mr. Conklin tells her it's the principle of the thing.
* ItWillNeverCatchOn: In "Wild Goose Chase", Miss Brooks jokes about T.V. being a temporary fad. This had been a common prediction just a few years before the episode aired on television. It ''was'' still a common view when the radio version had played a couple years before.
* IWasHavingSuchANiceDream:
** The earliest radio episodes, including the premier "First Day", would often begin with Miss Brooks dreaming of some romantic/comedic adventure with Mr. Boynton. [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness The format was very quickly dropped]], in favor of a brief introductory narration with Miss Brooks before the main action, and/or a typically offbeat breakfast conversation with landlady Mrs. Davis and student Walter Denton.
-->'''Narrator''': Yes, Connie Brooks can dream . . . .
** Occasionally, later television and radio episodes would feature dreams and abrupt ending thereof.
*** "The Magic Tree" sees Miss Brooks wake up after kissing a [[ItMakesSenseInContext magic-Christmas-tree-influenced]] Mr. Boynton.
*** "King and Brooks" sees Miss Brooks abruptly waken from a dream where she marries a maharajah.
*** [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin "The Dream"]] sees Miss Brooks waken from a dream where she finally marries Mr. Boynton. [[spoiler: Miss Brooks marries Mr. Boynton for real in TheMovie GrandFinale.]]
* IWasQuiteALooker: In "Angela's Wedding", Mrs. Davis' sister Angela claims to be a bathing beauty and provides her future husband, Gregory Farnsworth, with a photo of her from over thirty-years-before. Miss Brooks is asked to break the news that Angela is now a plump, middle-aged woman. Miss Brooks brings along smelling-salts to help break the news. Fortunately, Angela's fiance finds her to be still very attractive.
-->'''Gregory Farnsworth''': Oh, what a doll baby!
-->'''Miss Brooks''': ''(sniffs smelling salts'')
