Leave It to Beaver (1957–1963)

The misadventures of a suburban boy, family and friends.

Creators:

Joe Connelly, Dick Conway, Bob Mosher

Stars:

Barbara Billingsley, Jerry Mathers, Hugh Beaumont

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

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Barbara Billingsley	...	June Cleaver (235 episodes, 1957-1963)
Jerry Mathers	...	Theodore Cleaver (235 episodes, 1957-1963)
Hugh Beaumont	...	Ward Cleaver (234 episodes, 1957-1963)
Tony Dow	...	Wally Cleaver (234 episodes, 1957-1963)
Ken Osmond	...	Eddie Haskell (95 episodes, 1957-1963)

Storyline

The Cleavers are the 1950's 'All-American Family' in this 'feel-good' family sitcom. Parents Ward and June, and older brother Wally, try to keep Theodore ('the Beaver') out of trouble. However, Beaver continues to end up in one kind of jam or another. Unlike real life, these situations are always easily resolved to the satisfaction of all involved and the Beaver gets off with a few stern moralistic words of parental advice. Instigator and troublemaker Eddie Haskell is an older kid who always manages to avoid being caught.

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Plot Keywords:

sitcom | accountant | slang | buddy | small town | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

It's a Small World

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gomalco Productions, Kayro-Vue Productions, Revue Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (234 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Produced by Gomalco Productions (1957-61) and Kayro Productions (1961-63) in association with Revue Productions. Produced at Republic Studios (1957-59) and Universal-International Studios (1959-63). Originally syndicated by MCA-TV, more recently by Program Exchange.

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Quotes

Fred Rutherford: [Wally and Eddie's prank on Lumpy has backfired] Clarence! Did you wrap this chain around the axle of your car and then try to drive off?
Clarence 'Lumpy' Rutherford: Gosh no, Daddy! Why would I do something like that?
Fred Rutherford: It just seems like something you would do.

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Connections

Referenced in North (1994)

User Reviews

A SHOW THAT 'PLAYS' ACROSS THE YEARS.....

Leave it to Beaver is one of the classic sit-coms of all time. It is timeless and has had meaning for every generation that has watched it since its inception. It is in that rare category of show that will be shown forever. Like "I Love Lucy" or "The Dick van Dyke Show", or "The Brady Bunch (although I call this one a cheap rip-off)", or "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"---THE BEAVER IS AMONG THE BEST OF THE BEST, completely watchable and understandable with concepts that are universal to all and can be understood across the years.

When my young children discovered it, valuable lessons were learned. We laughed at the "messes" Beaver got in, usually with the help of friends talking him into it. We all learned to trust our judgment and not be led into unnecessary trouble. If there was trouble out there Beaver would find it. Thanks to the Beaver, mine have had a little more trouble finding it than they might have otherwise. Lots of laughs and a lesson to be learned every show.

Please check my comments for "Still the Beaver", (a many years later continuation), and if you get the chance tune into it for some "Cleaver's: the next generation action". It was done with love and it was a wonderful job.

PS--I was surprised to learn (from the imdb info on 'beaver') that GWEN RUTHERFORD (fred's wife/lumpy's mom) was played by MAJEL BARRETT (RODDENBERRY) of later Star Trek fame. Live and learn.......