"Leave It to Beaver" (1957) TV series 1957-1963

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Creators:

Joe Connelly
Dick Conway
Bob Mosher

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

4 October 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

The Cleavers are the 1950's 'All-American Family' in this 'feel-good' family sitcom. Parents Ward and June...

Plot Keywords:

Sitcom | Americana | USA | Housewife | Small Town

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Barbara Billingsley	...	June Cleaver (235 episodes, 1957-1963)
Jerry Mathers	...	Theodore 'Beaver' Cleaver (235 episodes, 1957-1963)
Hugh Beaumont	...	Ward Cleaver (234 episodes, 1957-1963)
Tony Dow	...	Wallace 'Wally' Cleaver (234 episodes, 1957-1963)
Ken Osmond	...	Edward 'Eddie' Haskell (97 episodes, 1957-1963)

Also Known As:

"It's a Small World" (USA) (working title)
"Wally and the Beaver" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

30 min | USA:30 min (234 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company:

Gomalco Productions

Trivia:

Eddie called everyone "Sam".

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: During the opening credits of the '62-'63 edition of the show, the main characters can be seen coming out the front door of the house, and one can see the inside. There appears to be some sort of entryway, with a table with flowers on it. Subsequently, in interior shots, there's nothing like that to be seen.

Quotes:

Eddie Haskell: Wally, if your dumb brother tags along, I'm gonna - oh, good afternoon, Mrs. Cleaver. I was just telling Wallace how pleasant it would be for Theodore to accompany us to the movies.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Wordplay (2006)

Still the Beaver after all these years.

It is easy to criticize "Leave it to Beaver" today for being an overly romanticized look at family life in the late 50s/early 60s. Because, well, it is an overly romanticized look at family in the late 50s/early 60s. But so what? This is a well written, well acted sitcom. I love it for the show that it is and I don't worry about the more realistic show it could have been.

Ward and June Cleaver are raising two sons: Wally and Theodore, who everyone calls by the nickname "Beaver." (To answer an earlier reviewer, the nickname came from older brother Wally who couldn't pronounce "Theodore" when his little brother was born, instead pronouncing it "Beaver.)

Beaver is definitely not a Bart Simpson, constantly making trouble and outwitting his dad. No, Beaver is a kid who gets into trouble usually because one of his friends (Larry, Richard or Gilbert) talks him into it. It is then usually up to Ward to help straighten the situation out and gently but firmly teach Beaver the lesson to be learned.

Wally and June are equally as important. Wally is the older brother we all wish we had. And who else but June could look so perfect while fixing up a batch of our favorite cookies?

One of the biggest reasons why the show was popular then and is still popular today, however, is the supporting cast. Eddie Haskell. ("And might I add Mrs. Cleaver, that is a lovely blouse you are wearing.") Fred Rutherford. ("See you in the salt mines, Ward.") Larry Mondello. Miss Landers. Mary Ellen Rogers. Gus the Fireman. All have endured for more than 40 years and become permanent fixtures in our pop culture.

Overly romanticized? Sure. But so what. Years from now when people have forgotten almost all of the sitcoms airing today, The Beaver will still be bringing smiles to our faces.