Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) Cat Out of the Bag (1958) User Reviews

Did Wally And Beaver Really Take On A Job Bigger Than The Both Of Them Could Handle?

[StrictlyConfidential · 6/10 · 22 June 2020]

(*Puff Puff quote*) - "Meow!"

In this pleasant episode from TV's "Leave It To Beaver" - The Cleaver boys really do let the cat out of the bag when the Donaldsons' prize-winning pet, Puff Puff (who they are taking care of) goes missing after being chased up a tree by Eddie Haskell's dog, Wolf.

And, of course, Wally and Beaver don't dare tell their parents what's become of poor, frightened Puff Puff since Ward had earlier voiced his serious doubts about his sons taking on a job which required that they assume full responsibility when it came to their initial agreement with Mr. Donaldson.

Anyway - For the most part - I'd definitely say that "Cat Out Of The Bag" was a somewhat better-than-average episode from this vintage family TV Sit-Com of the late-1950s.

The boys drop the ball, or cat if you prefer.

[pensman · 7/10 · 11 July 2017]

Ward comes home to find Wally and the Beaver have a new job for the weekend; take care of the lawn and feed Puff Puff, the Donaldson's cat. Mr. Donaldson brings his cat over for the boys to get comfortable with Puff Puff. Mr. Donaldson dotes on his prize-winning cat. Ward is worried if Wally and Beaver can take care of the cat; and he gives them a warning: don't come to him if they make a mistake.

The next day, Eddie Haskell shows up with his dog Wolf and June tells Eddie the boys are next door taking care of Puff Puff. Eddie says there is a carnival at Metzger's Field, but Wally says they can't go, they have a job. Eddie says they can split the job with each boy doing the job alternate days. Guess who loses the flip of Eddie's coin. Beaver is left alone and makes a mistake. The cat is left outdoors for his walk and Beaver doesn't latch the gate. The cat gets out and Wolf chases the cat up a tree. The cat isn't the only one up a tree. Apparently Wally hasn't learned not to listen to Eddie yet.

At Dinner time there is no Wally. Ward wants to know what's going on. Wally shows up and Ward wants to know where Wally has been. Beaver hasn't said anything to their parents but using the dropped silverware ploy, Beaver tells Wally what happened. Ward asks if anything happened he should know about, but Beaver says there is nothing happening Ward should know about. Ward still feels in his gut something is up he should know about.

It's nine o'clock and the boys are trying to find Puff Puff. Ward says time for bed. About one o'clock Wally hears a cat mewing. The boys sneak out and find Puff Puff high up in a tree. Wally figures out they are in trouble. Beaver is volunteered to try and climb the tree to get the cat as he is the lightest. Beaver gets up to Puff Puff, but now Beaver can't get down. Time to wake dad.

June suggests Ward get Beaver and the cat down and yell afterwards. Ward succeeds but he isn't happy. Next morning Ward is still fuming and June is still making excuses. Mr. Donaldson stops by and tells Ward the boys came over and confessed what they did and refused to take any money. Ward is pleased his boys were honest but I'm betting he still had a few words with them.

The first season is over and Beaver still looks like Beaver but we can see Wally is transitioning over to becoming a teenager. In real life Tony Dow was 13 and getting that growth spurt. No doubt he will have changed physically when the next season starts.

Puff Puff a Puddin' redo.

[vitoscotti · 8/10 · 7 March 2021]

The boys babysitting that gets out of control was done earlier in season 1. But, both episodes are decent. Classic up a tree scene with Ward saving the day is one of the series most memorable.

Letting a valuable house cat outside unleashed for a walk seems bizarre. Eddie's dog stealing his thunder. A new Mr Donaldson made cat goofy now. Nice finish to season 1.

One of several pet-centric episodes and scenes through the years

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 27 April 2024]

The writers of LITB must have loved animals of all kinds, because animals and the importance of responsible pet ownership and care show up as themes in several episodes over the years. This last episode of season one has Wally and Beaver signing up to care for the Donaldsons' prize cat Puff Puff while the Donaldsons are at the beach for a few days. They will be paid top dollar at a rate of fifty cents a day, so naturally they are excited. Ward expresses his concern at the boys being mature enough to care for such an expensive cat, but does not prevent them from taking the job.

So what could go wrong? - Enter stage left Eddie Haskell, his dog Wolf, and one of Eddie's crooked coin tosses. Dealing with Eddie on a daily basis, I'm surprised that Wally didn't realize how Eddie was cheating Beaver.

Because the Donaldsons are childless, Mr. Donaldson dotes on Puff Puff as though she was his child, but acts as though it's his wife who is so fond of her, probably because he doesn't think it manly to have such affection for a cat. I can tell the writers are fans of cats, because they have the boys mentioning with wonderment how cats do things - how they wash themselves, climb, and even how they eat out of a bowl. If you don't love cats you may not love this episode as much as I did.

Another Ridiculous Episode!

[JSGal · 5/10 · 19 November 2023]

Wally and Beaver are hired to care for a prize winning cat as a team for a weekend. However Eddie, Wally's friend, talked him into going to the carnival and leaving Beaver in charge of the cat! Needless to say disaster followed with Eddie's dog chasing the cat up a tree, and finally the parents learned what happened when Beaver climbed a tree to get the cat and was afraid to come down. As usual the parents come to the rescue. However, they never seem to really discipline these kids, which isn't doing them any favors. The mom constantly coddles them, and lessons are never learned. The father often caves to his wife's wishes as she whines about her "babies".