Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) Music Lesson (1958) User Reviews

Extremely Touching Ending Lifts Episode

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 2 August 2006]

Wally makes his baseball team as the starting pitcher and Beaver doesn't make his squad at all. Ward is justifiably proud of Wally but that makes Beaver kind of left out, so he decides to try something easier than getting conked on the head trying to catch fly balls - play the clarinet, so that he can get his father's approval, too.

He begins to take lessons and then gives his first "concert:" to his family in the living room, playing about five seconds of "America" with a few sour notes on the way and a very abbreviated ending. The looks on the Ward and June's faces make this a pretty funny scene.

Then, when school tryouts occur, Beaver doesn't make that team, either. Not wanting to look bad in his dad's eyes, The Beav still takes his clarinet to school everyday fooling his parents. However, when the first official concert is announced and the family is ready to attend it.....well....suffice to say that this doesn't have a humorous ending but has a touching message that comes close to bringing a tear to one's eye. Some of these shows, like this one,has such positive human and family-relations type messages they make me shake my head in amazement. Wonderful stuff that is truly missed in today' TV shows.

All God's children can't play the clarinet.

[pensman · 8/10 · 5 July 2017]

Wally did fine with baseball, first string pitcher. Beaver didn't make the cut for his league. Then it gets worse, Ward will be playing catch with Wally, but since they will be using a hardball it's best Beaver hit the homework.

Beaver is thinking of trying out for the band. But which instrument? Maybe the clarinet as it looks like it's easy to carry and Beaver likes the look of it. Beaver has had six lessons so he brings his clarinet home but it's a stretch to recognize the tune America when Beaver plays it; plus, his eyes cross when he plays. When Beaver goes upstairs, Ward and June break into laughter.

At school the kids are upfront with Beaver; he plays a terrible clarinet. Everyone has to play for Mr. Willet, the band director, for a judgment on how they are coming and if they can make the orchestra. Judy does a reasonable job at piano. Whitey does OK but then it's Theodore all alone. Beaver can't make the cut, maybe next year. What can Beaver do? He can lie to Wally that what he's doing.

Arriving at home, Beaver is asked by June why he isn't practicing with the band. Beaver hems and haws about for a while about how Ward might feel if Wally was bad at baseball. He just can't bring himself to tell his parents he was cut but when he plays for them after dinner, they are confused: he doesn't sound any better. Wally is more honest and wants to know when Beaver was kicked out of the band. Beaver says two weeks ago and it's Wally fault for being so good at baseball.

Ward and June find a notice the school band is going to be playing and plan on going. Beaver puts his suit on like he is going to the concert but Wally isn't going, he doesn't want to see what happens when Ward and June find out Beaver isn't in the band. Wally decides he better tell his parents the truth. Ward has been making a fuss about Wally making the baseball team, and Beaver just wanted Ward to be proud of him for something so he kept pretending he was in the band.

Ward and June find a graceful way to excuse not going to the band concert and figure it might be nice if Beaver stay home and they will do something as a family. Ward feels guilty about the pressure Beaver felt but to be honest, he had no idea of the problem. Beaver is just happy when his dad found it, he did it with grace. Not quite the way Beaver put it, but he was eloquent in his own way.

A good episode that reminds parents all their children need some recognition.

watching because I like the show

[trobertt-15-22112 · 9/10 · 28 December 2021]

, but lately it brings a tear to my eye. Especially the episodes where beaver reaches up to his father to bring him down close and kisses his cheek at the end of the episode. ; (

Episodes starting to hit stride

[vitoscotti · 8/10 · 1 March 2021]

The writing the last few episodes has been very good. They're really pulling at the heartstrings of being a kid, and parent in the 50s-60s. Ward keeps gently hammering hard work, personal responsibility, but also having fun,, and enjoying life. Jerry Mathers acting in this episode was way off the chart good. It's petty obvious why he was picked to be Beaver.

Joining The School Orchestra

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 5 June 2021]

(*Ward to June quote*) - "Well, if it's their report cards, I'd better wait till I'm in better humor."

Beaver decides to try out for the school orchestra. His musical instrument of choice is the clarinet.

Even though music teacher, Mr's Willis rejects Beaver from the class Beaver still pretends to his family that he is in the orchestra.

After 3 weeks pass, Beaver's secret is found out, but his family doesn't make a big deal about it.