It was in one of the “lost” 70’s episodes, when they introduced a black character to the Cleaver family, named Eldridge. 😉
Wow! Which episode had the backhoe cutting the gas main? That would be awesome! Did Eddie Haskell goad Wally into operating the backhoe, even though Ward warned him not to go near it? Blam! There goes the whole neighborhood! Too bad “Leave It To Beaver” never aired on Fox.
I wouldn’t say Ward was distant. Most of the shows were built around the boys trying to keep their father out of the loop, so he wouldn’t “clobber or yell” at them. He wanted to be involved, but he knew there were some things they had to learn for themselves. Personally, I prefer the understated tone of Beav. After “All in the Family,” TV sitcom writing was about as subtle as a backhoe cutting a gas main.
Even with my questionable memory, Ward was, at best, a distant father. Of course, a lot fo men were back then. He had all his discussions with Wally and Beaver in the den and the most emotion he showed was a clap on the shoulder. “That’s when I turned gay,” admitted Walter Cleaver in his biography.” KIDDING! For that matter, June wasn’t much of a hugger, either. Just a kiss on the brow. Man, were we ever repressed in the 50s!
Netflix streaming video has the complete LITB series, minus some “disc only” episodes. One of the many things I love about Beav’ is how clearly it reflects the swift change from the post-war years to the 60’s. The first two seasons feel old-fashioned, but after the Cleavers move to a new house in the third season, everything looks much more modern.
Watching the shows now, rather than relying on memories, it’s amusing to see how agitated and impatient Ward was with the boys, especially in the first few seasons. You’re right about June getting her zingers in, and, yes, she really does say, “Ward, you were a little hard on the beaver last night.”
A class act, and everything I ever wanted in a mom, not too salty, and not too sweet. What I liked is she should could really sneak in a zinger, even to Ward, that would throw you off!
It was in one of the “lost” 70’s episodes, when they introduced a black character to the Cleaver family, named Eldridge. 😉
Wow! Which episode had the backhoe cutting the gas main? That would be awesome! Did Eddie Haskell goad Wally into operating the backhoe, even though Ward warned him not to go near it? Blam! There goes the whole neighborhood! Too bad “Leave It To Beaver” never aired on Fox.
I wouldn’t say Ward was distant. Most of the shows were built around the boys trying to keep their father out of the loop, so he wouldn’t “clobber or yell” at them. He wanted to be involved, but he knew there were some things they had to learn for themselves. Personally, I prefer the understated tone of Beav. After “All in the Family,” TV sitcom writing was about as subtle as a backhoe cutting a gas main.
Even with my questionable memory, Ward was, at best, a distant father. Of course, a lot fo men were back then. He had all his discussions with Wally and Beaver in the den and the most emotion he showed was a clap on the shoulder. “That’s when I turned gay,” admitted Walter Cleaver in his biography.” KIDDING! For that matter, June wasn’t much of a hugger, either. Just a kiss on the brow. Man, were we ever repressed in the 50s!
Netflix streaming video has the complete LITB series, minus some “disc only” episodes. One of the many things I love about Beav’ is how clearly it reflects the swift change from the post-war years to the 60’s. The first two seasons feel old-fashioned, but after the Cleavers move to a new house in the third season, everything looks much more modern.
Watching the shows now, rather than relying on memories, it’s amusing to see how agitated and impatient Ward was with the boys, especially in the first few seasons. You’re right about June getting her zingers in, and, yes, she really does say, “Ward, you were a little hard on the beaver last night.”
A class act, and everything I ever wanted in a mom, not too salty, and not too sweet. What I liked is she should could really sneak in a zinger, even to Ward, that would throw you off!