This was one of the episodes shown on a station's day-long tribute to Tony Dow. I think the Beaver called the boy who bullied him a dumb a** (although you can't hear him actually say the word). Frankly, I'm surprised this episode got aired at all, given the times. Yes, it would have been nice if the bully had been punished, but the point of the show was that Wally did a great job in handling his father's duties while he was on a business trip, Beaver confessed to his mom what happened, and he learned his lesson. And the show was very funny.
11 Reviews
Wally, Wally, bo-bally, Banana-fana fo-fally, Fee-fi-mo-mally , Wally!
pensman19 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Ward has to go to St. Louis for a business trip. As he is leaving, Ward calls to Wally to come outside with him. Ward tells Wally that he believes his older son has the good sense, judgment, and maturity to act as the man-of-the-house in his absence. Wally takes the responsibility seriously. He even makes sure June has the number of his school. Just in case she falls down the stairs and can't get up, she can call Wally for help.
At school's end, Beaver and his friends are leaving when a bigger boy, Arthur, trips Beaver. When Beaver gets up he confronts the boy and say, "Arthur, you are a big . . .." We don't know the exact word(s) Beaver uses because the ringing of the bell drowns his voice out. Out to us, not out to Miss Landers who heard it clearly, and she is so shocked that she gives Beaver a note to take home.
Wally reads the note, and Beaver whispers in his ear what he said. Beaver hopes Wally will be complicit by writing a response note to Miss Landers. Better yet, he can accompany Beaver to school and talk with Miss Landers in a sort of in loco parentis; Dad did leave Wally in charge after all.
I couldn't believe it, but Wally actually went with Beaver. This does not sit well with Miss Landers, but she does talk with Wally. Wally explains the situation to Miss Landers; with their dad away, they really can't let their mother hear "exactly" what Beaver said. After listening to Wally, Miss Landers agrees that the situation has been handled in an adult manner, there will be no need to pursue the incident any further.
At the dinner table that night, June asks Beaver if he has anything interesting to say. Beaver says he believe he has said enough interesting things for quite a while. June knows something happened at school, and when Wally leaves to get the roast from the kitchen, Beaver confesses. Even she doesn't know what was said; but she is satisfied Wally handled it well. Wally returns with the roast and feels unsure about his ability to carve it. June tells Wally she has every confidence in his abilities; and Beaver agrees.
Later when June has her normal evening phone conversation with Ward, she asks him to return with an extra special present for Wally. When Ward asks why; June says, let's just say for his very adult ability to carve roast beef.
Up in their room getting ready for bed, Beaver thanks Wally for liking him. Wally says he has to like his little brother. Beaver pursues the topic, asking if Wally likes him a whole lot. Wally says Beaver better not go mushy on him, or he will have to sock him. Watching this episode brings memories of Father Flanagan, and the somewhat apocryphal saying, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother. A nice episode for brothers or sisters to watch.
At school's end, Beaver and his friends are leaving when a bigger boy, Arthur, trips Beaver. When Beaver gets up he confronts the boy and say, "Arthur, you are a big . . .." We don't know the exact word(s) Beaver uses because the ringing of the bell drowns his voice out. Out to us, not out to Miss Landers who heard it clearly, and she is so shocked that she gives Beaver a note to take home.
Wally reads the note, and Beaver whispers in his ear what he said. Beaver hopes Wally will be complicit by writing a response note to Miss Landers. Better yet, he can accompany Beaver to school and talk with Miss Landers in a sort of in loco parentis; Dad did leave Wally in charge after all.
I couldn't believe it, but Wally actually went with Beaver. This does not sit well with Miss Landers, but she does talk with Wally. Wally explains the situation to Miss Landers; with their dad away, they really can't let their mother hear "exactly" what Beaver said. After listening to Wally, Miss Landers agrees that the situation has been handled in an adult manner, there will be no need to pursue the incident any further.
At the dinner table that night, June asks Beaver if he has anything interesting to say. Beaver says he believe he has said enough interesting things for quite a while. June knows something happened at school, and when Wally leaves to get the roast from the kitchen, Beaver confesses. Even she doesn't know what was said; but she is satisfied Wally handled it well. Wally returns with the roast and feels unsure about his ability to carve it. June tells Wally she has every confidence in his abilities; and Beaver agrees.
Later when June has her normal evening phone conversation with Ward, she asks him to return with an extra special present for Wally. When Ward asks why; June says, let's just say for his very adult ability to carve roast beef.
Up in their room getting ready for bed, Beaver thanks Wally for liking him. Wally says he has to like his little brother. Beaver pursues the topic, asking if Wally likes him a whole lot. Wally says Beaver better not go mushy on him, or he will have to sock him. Watching this episode brings memories of Father Flanagan, and the somewhat apocryphal saying, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother. A nice episode for brothers or sisters to watch.
Wally Becomes Ward
MichaelMartinDeSapio15 March 2016
We know right off the bat that something is up, because Ward is wearing a hat, which he hardly ever does. We soon learn that he is departing for a business trip in St. Louis and putting Wally in charge as the deputy "man of the house" while he's gone. In short order, Wally has a situation on his hands: Beaver gets in trouble at school for using foul language to a classmate who tried to trip him up in the hallway. (We never find out what horrible word Beaver used, since it is "bleeped out" by the school bell.) Prim and proper Miss Landers is appalled at Beaver's language - and so, for that matter, is Beaver. She tells him to bring one of his parents into school to speak to her about the transgression. But the boys can't very well offend June's delicate ears by telling her what Beaver said; so Wally acts *in loco parentis* and comes instead. At first Miss Landers thinks that he and Beaver are trying to put one over on her, but after listening to them she sees that Wally is merely doing his brotherly duty.
LITB reinforces its starchy values by disapproving of foul language in any circumstance. The episode is a strong end to the fourth season in which we see Wally growing into manhood and taking on Ward's fatherly role.
LITB reinforces its starchy values by disapproving of foul language in any circumstance. The episode is a strong end to the fourth season in which we see Wally growing into manhood and taking on Ward's fatherly role.
Personal Accountability
Hendry216 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This episode reminds me of what happened one day to well-known 1980s Indiana high school student Ryan White - in his biography, he explains while in the hospital his favorite nurse (his version of Miss Landers) happened to overhear him cursing and how she roundly told him, "Ryan, we don't speak that way here." and like Beaver, an embarrassed Ryan apologizing to his nurse and his mother. Yeah, Beaver was tripped by some jerks (oops), but Beaver's response is what defines his life, not the action of the kids who years later might remember the time they were mean to a kid at school. Miss Landers was generous to receive and allow Wally to stand in for Ward, realizing Beaver had learned a lesson. As another reviewer said, a strong ending episode to Season 4...
Excellent episode
mrice-327439 April 2022
I wish things were still like this.
The biggest "violence" there was in school was tripping and the occasional fight that was more like two puppies playing.
Swearing was a big deal. That's why it was handled as such. The language shows a general disrespect that often turns into more serious issues.
Miss Landers couldn't punish the "bully" if she didn't know about it.
They treated fighting severely, too. Recall the episode where Beaver beats up the kid at the bus stop. It's meant with great backlash.
No, warning kids about swearing today is not usually enough. The fact it's so easily passed off shows how asinine society has gotten.
How on earth can someone who worked at a school where there was a shooting think that is better than the Beaver era?
This is especially true when we now live in a society that bulliesxway more often and severely than someone being tripped.
The biggest "violence" there was in school was tripping and the occasional fight that was more like two puppies playing.
Swearing was a big deal. That's why it was handled as such. The language shows a general disrespect that often turns into more serious issues.
Miss Landers couldn't punish the "bully" if she didn't know about it.
They treated fighting severely, too. Recall the episode where Beaver beats up the kid at the bus stop. It's meant with great backlash.
No, warning kids about swearing today is not usually enough. The fact it's so easily passed off shows how asinine society has gotten.
How on earth can someone who worked at a school where there was a shooting think that is better than the Beaver era?
This is especially true when we now live in a society that bulliesxway more often and severely than someone being tripped.
Sappy, but very good
vitoscotti1 July 2021
Shows the positive influence a big brother can be to a younger one. The tripper slithered away Scott-Free. Wally is funny uncomfortable in the grammar school especially with the giggling girls. Some terrific Eddie Haskell scenes as usual.
WALLY MEETS MISS LANDERS!
tcchelsey29 February 2024
Ward has to go away on a business trip --so Wally becomes the MAN of the house! Interesting.
Producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher came up with this story and, you have to admit, it's quite original, and a "growing up" lesson for both Wally and Beave in a funny sort of way. It's also another full cast show, featuring Eddie, Gilbert, Richard, Whitey, and even Miss Landers.
The big surprise of it all is how Beave gets into trouble this time -- caught swearing at school! It's amazing Connelly and Mosher would go that far with a script, though we never know what the word actually is, still taboo stuff back in the day. Interestingly, behind the scenes, it was "forbidden" to swear on the set at Universal because children were present, and the story goes that when one of the crew swore he was immediately fired as a lesson to everybody else.
Getting back to the big scandal... Miss Landers requests a parent-teacher conference on the matter and Wally goes in Ward's place. This is a classic scene, well directed by David Butler, as there was never anything like it. Even Miss Landers, at first, thinks it's some sort of a gag.
A Top 10 all the way, also marking one of the final episodes we will would see Sue Randall as Miss Landers. Sue went onto many other tv projects, appearing on such shows as PERRY MASON and the TWILIGHT ZONE before retiring in the late 60s. By the way, her full name was Alice Landers. Super trivia question.
Most creative line department: a phony note from Ward to Miss Landers reads.... "I have washed Beaver's mouth out with soap and beat him up three times!"
OMG. From SEASON 4 EPISODE 39 remastered.
Producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher came up with this story and, you have to admit, it's quite original, and a "growing up" lesson for both Wally and Beave in a funny sort of way. It's also another full cast show, featuring Eddie, Gilbert, Richard, Whitey, and even Miss Landers.
The big surprise of it all is how Beave gets into trouble this time -- caught swearing at school! It's amazing Connelly and Mosher would go that far with a script, though we never know what the word actually is, still taboo stuff back in the day. Interestingly, behind the scenes, it was "forbidden" to swear on the set at Universal because children were present, and the story goes that when one of the crew swore he was immediately fired as a lesson to everybody else.
Getting back to the big scandal... Miss Landers requests a parent-teacher conference on the matter and Wally goes in Ward's place. This is a classic scene, well directed by David Butler, as there was never anything like it. Even Miss Landers, at first, thinks it's some sort of a gag.
A Top 10 all the way, also marking one of the final episodes we will would see Sue Randall as Miss Landers. Sue went onto many other tv projects, appearing on such shows as PERRY MASON and the TWILIGHT ZONE before retiring in the late 60s. By the way, her full name was Alice Landers. Super trivia question.
Most creative line department: a phony note from Ward to Miss Landers reads.... "I have washed Beaver's mouth out with soap and beat him up three times!"
OMG. From SEASON 4 EPISODE 39 remastered.
A good episode
pmike-1131225 March 2022
This episode focuses on a person's behaviors and the consequences for them. Beaver swears, Miss Landers hears it, and Beaver is in trouble for it. The fact that the kid who tripped Beaver gets away scot free is irrelevant. Landers didn't see that part; that's life.
I laugh at the previous poster who said that it came at a time when America was "wrong" and now we're "better".
LOL! The current lack of morals, expectations, responsibility, and behavior in this country (and the world, really) is somehow "better"? And this person was a teacher - that explains a lot. Someone needs their head examined...
I laugh at the previous poster who said that it came at a time when America was "wrong" and now we're "better".
LOL! The current lack of morals, expectations, responsibility, and behavior in this country (and the world, really) is somehow "better"? And this person was a teacher - that explains a lot. Someone needs their head examined...
I agree very Sappy & Wrong
bdtcomp29 December 2021
Having taught many years, most as a substitute, and once when a gun was fired in the school I guest taught at, 1992. The boy shooting was being bullied. Ms. Landers, owed Due Process, what she is supposed to be installing in these young souls!
It was wrong to swear. Today, you give a warning to students and say, "this is inappropriate." That is usually enough. If not you say you can discuss your politics at the office. But usually this ends, and you don't make a Federal case of the swearing, but you must let students know this is inappropriate. B
But this is 1961 America and that is the way it was, highly wrong and we are better today than this.
I like 'Leave it to Beaver' but how often do we hear the word 'hitting'?
It was wrong to swear. Today, you give a warning to students and say, "this is inappropriate." That is usually enough. If not you say you can discuss your politics at the office. But usually this ends, and you don't make a Federal case of the swearing, but you must let students know this is inappropriate. B
But this is 1961 America and that is the way it was, highly wrong and we are better today than this.
I like 'Leave it to Beaver' but how often do we hear the word 'hitting'?
Missed The Mark
1Wishbone17 March 2018
This episode missed the point about school bullying. Beaver was tripped (assaulted?) by another boy with his buddies at school. The Beav responded by standing up to him (good for him) and calling him a bad name (instead of a punch in the nose - again, good for him). Who gets in trouble? Beaver of course, for his language, while the bully and his friends walk off laughing. Compounded by Beaver's friends taking off too, without any explanation to Miss Landers as to why Beaver was the victim. Is this how it was in the 50's? School bullies are OK, but a cuss word (even justified) is not? So the next 20 minutes dealt with the dreaded bad language instead of the bullying. You can bet the bully and his friends go right on hurting and harassing the student body the next day, weeks, and years. Nice.
Don't Worry, Wally's Man Enough To Handle It
StrictlyConfidential21 November 2020
(*Wally to Ward quote*) - "Sure, dad, I know kids. If you don't lean on them they get out of line."
While Ward Cleaver is away in St. Louis on an important business trip, Wally takes on the demanding role of being the head of the household.
Even though Wally is tempted to boss Beaver around, he soon begins to show a lot of maturity, making sound decisions and conscientiously supporting his younger brother when "The Beave" gets into trouble at school.
While Ward Cleaver is away in St. Louis on an important business trip, Wally takes on the demanding role of being the head of the household.
Even though Wally is tempted to boss Beaver around, he soon begins to show a lot of maturity, making sound decisions and conscientiously supporting his younger brother when "The Beave" gets into trouble at school.
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