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

Richard Deacon's appearances as pompous Fred Rutherford diminished in the last season as he was also portraying Mel Cooley on the The Dick Van Dyke Show at the same time.

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Quotes

Wally Cleaver: Hi Dad. I didn't do anything.
Ward Cleaver: Why do you say that?
Wally Cleaver: Well, I don't know, but, uh, you have that look on your face like somebody did something.

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Connections

Referenced in Quantum Leap: The Great Spontini - May 9, 1974 (1990)

User Reviews

Might Have Worked as "Leave It To Wally, Too!

When I was young, way back in the 1960's I never really dug this show. It was too `predictable'. In the fist five minutes we meet the Cleavers, then in the next 15, Beaver has screwed up, and the last few minutes of the show, we get a good lesson on `cause and effect' from Ward. Everybody laughs, credits roll, and we get to see Wally and Beaver walking home and a brand new De Soto go by in the street (Chrysler, replacing Ford Motor Company, sponsored the show from about 1959, onward and used the closing credits to get a product placement shot in.) And as I was a kid at the time, I never enjoyed seeing other kids get into trouble.

Now that I'm in my forties, I find the show hysterical. The exasperated look that Ward and June get when something happens, Wally's comments, and the dealings with all the Cleavers friends are priceless.

Wally's come backs of `Aw, heck, Beaver', and `Don't be a creep, or something.' Crack me up. You can always count on a great line from Tony Dow in every episode.

The story lines were fairly typical fifties fluff, with a few exceptions. There is one that deals with an alcoholic handyman that Ward knows, that frankly could be re-shot today, and not feel 40 plus years old. I recently saw one, where Beaver joins a record club, and forgets to send back a card to cancel the next shipment of records. Hands up, out there, how many of us do that today with our CD and DVD club selection cards?

A true, kindhearted, and well written classic to be enjoyed by the whole family.