Over the course of 60 films Arden's withering gaze, splendid lip-curling delivery and relaxed warmth stole scenes in films including "Cover Girl" (1944), "Paid in Full" (1949), "Anatomy of a Murder" (1959) and "The Dark at the Top of the Stairs" (1960, an especially touching performance). She also created the kindly, yet tart-tongued single teacher Miss Brooks, first on radio (from 1948), then on the successful TV series "Our Miss Brooks" (1952-56) and on film (1956). Arden later starred in the series "The Eve Arden Show" (1957-58) and "The Mothers-in-Law" (1967-69), and her inimitably acid delivery was once again put to good use when she played the principal in the 1978 film "Grease".