Lute Productions
Starring: Eve Arden, Jane Morgan, Robert Rockwell
Directed by: Al Lewis

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Based on the long-running comedy radio and television series.  Connie Brooks (Eve Arden) is an English teacher at Madison High School who has a crush on the Biology teacher Phillip Boynton (Robert Rockwell).  Unlike the earlier incarnations this film covers a wider arc and even brings the potential for matrimony into the mix.

Cinema Cat: Miss Brooks boards with an elderly woman named Mrs. Davis (Jane Morgan) who owns an orange tabby cat named Minerva.  Minerva was a regular character on the series back in the radio days and during the television run when she was played by cat actor Orangey.  In fact Minerva was such a prominent role for Orangey he was actually known by the name Minerva (as well as his original screen incarnation Rhubarb).  Since the cast and director from the television series all made the transition to this film it’s safe to assume Orangey did as well (although as always Orangey stand-ins and substitutes may well have been used for some shots.)

Since the movie begins with Miss Brooks arriving in the small town where she will teach high school we also see her meet Mrs. Davis for the first time.  Mrs. Davis is first seen sitting in a rocking chair with Minerva in her lap as she brushes the cat’s fur.

To help her decide if Miss Brooks is a good person to stay with her, Mrs. Davis calls Minerva into the room.

Minerva walks up to Miss Brooks’ feet.

Miss Brooks picks up Minerva, who starts to lick her face (likely some kind of oil or flavor was placed on Eve Arden’s cheek.)  This seals the deal and Miss Brooks will live there.

Later in the film Mrs. Davis is seen feeding Minerva in the kitchen.

Mr. Boynton comes over and says he has something confidential to talk to Mrs. Davis about.  Mrs. Davis gets up and opens the back door and tells Minerva to go outside, which she does.

Final Mewsings: It was nice they included the entire original cast, including Minerva, in this movie adaptation!

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