Leave It to Beaver season 1
Season 1: 1957-1958
The first season of Leave It to Beaver debuted Friday, October 4, 1957 at 7:30 P.M. (EST) on CBS. Mid-season, the show was rescheduled to Wednesday nights at 8:00 P.M.. In the second season, the show would move to ABC.
When the show opens, Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver is a seven-year-old boy in the second grade at Grant Ave. Grammar School while his brother Wally is a twelve-year-old in the eighth grade at the same school. Their father Ward is a white collar office worker and their mother June, a stay-at-home wife and mother whose specialities are unconditional love and wholesome meals. The Cleavers live in a two-story frame house in fictional Mayfield. Beaver's character is established in the first season and remains essentially unchanged in the following seasons. He is a sensitive but gullible boy of average intelligence and abilities trying to make sense of the adult world around him while often being led astray by schoolmates and chums.
Episodes are picaresque stand-alones with no over-arching, episode-to-episode continuity of storyline in the manner of soap operas. Episodes can easily be viewed out of episode order. The first season follows the Cleaver boys as they get in and out of boyhood troubles and face their father for moral lectures (or more serious discipline) regarding their mistakes and misadventures. First season background motifs include money-making schemes for the boys, realtionships within the family, and school problems. Both boys have encounters with first girlfriends in the opening season (Wally with Penny Jamison, Beaver with Linda Dennison), and those encounters are somewhat sour. The opening season sees the only holiday (Christmas) related episode in the series, "The Haircut", and, even then, the holiday only marginally colors the plot.
For season one, a voice-over prologue by Hugh Beaumont precedes each episode's opening credits, providing a background to that episode's theme, and always concludes with "And that's our story tonight on Leave It to Beaver." The voice-over prologues were discontinued mid-season and replaced with a short scene extracted from the episode-at-hand. The prologues are retained in the first-season DVD release but are omitted in airings on TV Land.
The opening titles feature a drawing of a sidewalk, viewed from above, displaying the credits in wet concrete. The characters are not shown. The closing sequence shows the credits against a simple textured background. Both sequences are accompanied by the show's theme tune, "The Toy Parade".
The show's four stars — Barbara Billingsley, Hugh Beaumont, Tony Dow, and Jerry Mathers — appeared in all first-season episodes. Diane Brewster played Miss Canfield, Beaver's second grade teacher, in four first-season episodes and then left the show. Richard Deacon as Fred Rutherford, Frank Bank as his son, Clarence ("Lumpy"), Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Pamela Baird as Mary Ellen Rogers, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, and Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney were introduced in the first season and remained as recurring characters through the series' six-season run, appearing in every season. Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Patty Tuner as Linda Dennison, and Madge Kennedy as Aunt Martha all made their debuts as recurring characters in the first season.
Veteran film and television actor Edgar Buchanan made his first appearance on the show in "Captain Jack", the episode second in air-date order. Buchanan would make two appearances later in the show as Ward's uncle, Billy. Other veterans making first-season appearances were Phyliis Coates, Herb Vigran, William Fawcett, William Schallert, John Hoyt, Lyle Talbot, Will Wright, John Hart, and Maudie Prickett.
All first-season episodes (with the exception of "The Broken Window") were directed by Norman Tokar, a director distinguished for his ability to work well with children. The show's creators, Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher, wrote the vast majority of scripts with occasional contributions from other writers. The writing team of Dick Conway and Roland MacLane (who would write many later seasons episodes) made their debuts in the first season.
Critics were generally favorable to Leave It to Beaver. TV Guide dubbed the show "the sleeper of the 1957-58 season". But the season did not break into the Neilsen top-20. It was in the first season, however, that the show received its only Emmy nominations in its history: the first nomination, for Best New Program Series of the Year, and the second, for Best Teleplay Writing - Half Hour or Less (Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher) for the premiere episode, "Beaver Gets 'Spelled".
| Title | Original airdate | # | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "It's a Small World" | April 23, 1957 | P | |||
| Beaver and Wally collect milk bottle caps after hearing from mischievous Frankie Bennett that the Franklin Milk Company is giving away bicycles in exchange for 1,000 caps. Mr. Baxter, milk company executive, is surprised when Beaver and Wally appear with a wagon-load of caps because he's heard nothing about a contest and a call to the home office returns no information. Unable to give the boys a bicycle immediately, Mr. Baxter sends the boys to a local shop to select a bicycle at the company's expense. The boys select their bicycle. Mr. Baxter then learns from the home office a contest was never held. He hurries off to the Cleaver home to reclaim the bicycle. The boys relinquish the bike. Ward explains to the heartbroken boys that they weren't entitled to the bicycle because there was no contest. Later, Mr. Baxter tries to get the boys to accept the bike in a publicity stunt for the company but the boys turn him away. Ward buys the boys a new bicycle.
Guests: Casey Adams (Max Showalter) as Ward Cleaver, Paul Sullivan as Wally Cleaver, Richard Deacon as Mr. Baxter, Diane Brewster as Miss Simms, Joseph Kearns as Mr. Fred Crowley, Russell Thorson as Man with Milk Bottles, Lennie Bremen as Milk Bar proprietor, Harry Shearer as Frankie Bennett, Tommy Randall as Frankie's friend, Tim Graham as Doc, Virginia Carroll as Nurse. Director: Jerry Hopper. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver Gets 'Spelled" | October 4, 1957 | 1 | |||
Guests: Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, Diane Brewster as Miss Canfield, Ralph Sanford as Fats Flannaghan, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Gary Allen as First Man in Park, Alan Reynolds as Second Man in Park, Steve Paylow as Boy in Park. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. "Beaver Gets 'Spelled" was third in production order but became the premiere episode when "Captain Jack", the first episode in production order and intended premiere, was held up while being reviewed by the censors. | |||||
| "Captain Jack" | October 11, 1957 | 2 | |||
| Beaver and Wally buy an alligator through a comic book advertisement without telling their parents of the purchase. When the baby alligator arrives, the boys keep him hidden from their parents by stowing him in their bathroom. They consult Captain Jack, the manager of an alligator farm, about their pet's care and keeping. Wally and Beaver exhibit the reptile (now named "Captain Jack") to the neighborhood children in their bedroom. When the alligator grows too large for the bathroom, the boys move him to the basement laundry tub where Minerva, the housekeeper, discovers him. Ward is astonished, but pleased the boys have taken such good care of an animal. He tells the boys, however, the alligator must be sent to the alligator farm and the boys must let go of what they love. The boys are heartbroken but later find a little terrier in their bedroom — the gift of their parents.
Guests: Irving Bacon as Postal Clerk, Edgar Buchanan as Captain Jack, Connie Gilchrist as Minerva, Penny Carpenter as Neighborhood Girl. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. "Captain Jack" was the first in production order and the intended premiere but was held up in the censors' office regarding scenes displaying a toilet. The show was forced to debut with "Beaver Gets 'Spelled". "Captain Jack" was televised the week following the premiere. The episode has taken its place in television history as the first to display a toilet.[1] The terrier never returns to the show after this episode. In a later episode, Ward reminds Beaver the dog was given away when he neglected to care for him. It's difficult to believe that a show about a middle class household with two boys wouldn't have a dog, but, in real life, dogs and other animals in films and television can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to work with — which accounts for the fact that very few sitcoms feature family pets with regularity. The alligator and the terrier are Beaver's first of several "one-shot" pets over the course of the series. | |||||
| "The Black Eye" | October 18, 1957 | 3 | |||
| Beaver gets a black eye and tries to cover it with his mother's beauty cream. The truth comes out at dinner and Ward is taken aback when he discovers Beaver didn't defend himself. Later, Wally tells Ward it was Violet Rutherford who gave Beaver the black eye. Concerned about future confrontations, Ward decides Beaver should learn to defend himself and sets up boxing lessons in the garage. Beaver is knocked to the floor by a punching bag. Nonetheless, he heads to Violet's house, challenging her to "get 'gressive". Violet doesn't want to fight, however, and the two have a day of fun instead. Ward and Violet's father, Fred Rutherford, believe the children are fighting somewhere in the neighborhood and set off in search. They discover the two sitting peacefully on the front steps chewing gum.
Guests: Wendy Winkelman as Violet Rutherford, Richard Deacon as Fred Rutherford, Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Julie Bennett as Waitress, Philip Greisman as First Neighborhood Boy, Lonnie Thomas as Second Neighborhood Boy, Tommy Berwald as Third Neighborhood Boy, Richard Smiley as Fourth Neighborhood Boy. Director: Norman Tokar. Story: Hendrik Vollaerts. Teleplay: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Recurring character Fred Rutherford (Richard Deacon) was introduced in this episode and remained in the series for its entire run. Violet Rutherford would be played in later episodes by Veronica Cartwright. | |||||
| "The Haircut" | October 25, 1957 | 4 | |||
| After Beaver loses his lunch money three days in a row, Ward gives him a stern lecture on responsibility. The next day, Beaver loses his haircut money. Rather than go to his parents and explain the loss, Beaver gives himself a ragged haircut with Wally's help. The boys wear stocking caps to dinner, telling their parents they've joined a secret club and the caps are a part of their two-week initiation. Later that night, Ward and June slip into the boys' bedroom, lift Beaver's cap, and discover the truth. June convinces Ward that Beaver was afraid to come to them after losing his haircut money so they have no one but themselves to blame for Beaver's deception. Beaver joins the school concert dressed as an angel wearing a stocking cap.
Guests: Benny Baker as Barber, Gilbert Frye as Mr. Tyne. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Bill Manhoff This is the only episode related to a holiday (Christmas) in the entire series. In one scene, June sews Beaver's angel costume and, in the finale, Beaver sings a Christmas carol in a choir of angels at a school concert. | |||||
| "New Neighbors" | November 1, 1957 | 5 | |||
| New neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, move in next-door and June asks Beaver to take a bouquet to the house. When Beaver gives Mrs. Donaldson the bouquet, she thanks him by kissing his cheek. Eddie and Wally are watching from an upstairs window in the boys' bedroom and give Beaver the business for kissing another man's wife. The jokesters tell him to beware of Mr. Donaldson. Later, Mrs. Donaldson calls June and invites Beaver to a birthday celebration for her niece Julia. Beaver dons his Sunday suit (not knowing it's a birthday party but thinking Mrs. Donaldson wants him for his handsome self), and goes next-door, but flees in fear when Mr. Donaldson arrives at the house with little Julia. The Donaldsons and Julia go to the Cleaver house to inquire after Beaver but he remains obstinately in his bedroom. The next day, when explanations are offered and the misunderstandings resolved, Mr. Donaldson tells Beaver he can kiss his wife whenever he chooses and they become friends.
Guests: Charles H. Gray as Harry Donaldson, Phyllis Coates as Betty Donaldson, Yolanda White as Julia, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Brotherly Love" | November 8, 1957 | 6 | |||
| June rushes upstairs to put an end to a fierce fight between Wally and Beaver. She makes them create a friendship pact, promising to do things together and enjoying each other's companionship. On Saturday, both boys get separate invitations from friends — Wally to a football game with Chester, and Beaver to a fishing trip with Gus. Both boys then try to get the other to break the pact without revealing his invitation. When they accuse each other of being "sneaks", another fight explodes. Ward settles things by telling the boys that the good times they have together will far outweigh the bad times. The next day, Gus suggests the boys take his dinghy and have an afternoon of fishing fun together.
Guests: Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Herb Vigran as Stanley the Barber. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly. Story: Norman Tokar. | |||||
| "Water, Anyone?" | November 15, 1957 | 7 | |||
| Wally, Chester, and Tooey work hard around their yards mowing, trimming hedges, and pulling weeds to earn money for baseball uniforms. Beaver wants a uniform, too, but there are no jobs left for him to do. It's a hot day so he decides to sell water to the boys as they work. The boys laugh at the idea because they have garden hoses for water and don't need his supply. Then, workmen turn the water off for the afternoon and Beaver gets rich selling his water to the boys and their mothers. Ward lectures Beaver about exploiting his friends. The boys are angry, saying Beaver has swindled them out of their uniform money. They kick him off the team. When the electric power is shut off in the neighborhood, Beaver gives his money to the boys to buy candles which they then sell at exorbitant prices in the neighborhood. With enough money earned from candle-selling, the boys buy uniforms and welcome Beaver back on the team.
Guests: Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Katharine Warren as Mrs. Brown, Francis De Sales as Mr. Anderson, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Eddie Marr as First Water Worker, Norm Alden as Second Water Worker. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Clifford Goldsmith. | |||||
| "Beaver's Crush" | November 22, 1957 | 8 | |||
| Beaver has a crush on his teacher, Miss Canfield, and stays after school to clean the chalkboard. Judy, Whitey, and Larry accuse him of being the teacher's pet, which Beaver denies. To prove it, he puts a spring-action snake in Miss Canfield's desk drawer. Later, he regrets doing so and persuades Wally to accompany him to the school after dark to retrieve the snake. At the school, they are chased away by Mr. Johnson's watch dog and return home without the snake. The next day, Beaver watches anxiously as Miss Canfield reaches for her desk drawer. After school, Miss Canfield tells him she found the snake before school and blames herself for the prank. She tells Beaver she should not favor one pupil over another and that someday he will find a nice girl his own age. Beaver tells her no little girls smell as nice as she does.
Guests: Diane Brewster as Miss Canfield, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, William Fawcett as Mr. Johnson, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Story: Phil Leslie. Although Larry Mondello has been mentioned in previous episodes and Rusty Stevens has been seen in school crowd scenes, this is the first episode in which Rusty Stevens appears as Larry Mondello. | |||||
| "The Clubhouse" | November 29, 1957 | 9 | |||
| Wally, Eddie, and Tooey decide to build a clubhouse, charging eighth graders one dollar to join and second graders (Beaver) three dollars to join. Beaver sets off looking for ways to make money to join the clubhouse and meets Pete, a seedy gent, who is wearing an advertisement sandwich board. Beaver is inspired and makes his own sandwich board, renting his front for 50 cents and his back for 75 cents. Beaver also hits on the idea of charging passers-by 10 cents to spit off a nearby bridge. He makes two dollars. Later, he meets Pete again who gives him a hard luck story about his daughter, "Little Jasmine". Beaver feels sorry for "Little Jasmine" and gives Pete his two dollars. Back home, Beaver finds Wally and his friends have abandoned the clubhouse.
Guests: James Gleason as Pete, Allen Windsor as Ice Cream Man, Johnny Silver as Man on Bridge, Raymond Hatton as Charlie the Fireman, Charles Wagenheim as Bridge Painter, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Story: Lydia Nathan. | |||||
| "Wally's Girl Trouble" | December 6, 1957 | 10 | |||
| Wally and Beaver plan to sneak out of dancing school to go fishing, but Wally reneges on the deal when he becomes smitten with new classmate, Penny Jamison. Thereafter, Wally has little time for his brother, choosing instead to engage in sugary conversations on the phone with Penny and listening to hear her read aloud from Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. Beaver mows the lawn for Wally, hoping to win his companionship back. Wally finally takes Beaver on a soda date with Penny, but Penny won't have anything to do with "grubby infants". Ward tells Beaver one way to win a woman's favor is to give her a sentimental gift. Beaver gives Penny his pet frog, Herbie, which ends her relationship with both boys. Wally decides he can get another girl and Beaver decides he can get another frog.
Guests: Carol Sydes (Cindy Carol) as Penny Jamison, Erik Nielsen as First Boy in Library, Paul Engle as Second Boy in Library, Stephen Hammer as Third Boy in Library, Louise Lewis as Store Clerk, Barbara Dodd as Librarian, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Mel Diamond, Ben Gershman. | |||||
| "Beaver's Short Pants" | December 13, 1957 | 11 | |||
| When June leaves town for a few days, her fastidious maiden aunt, Martha Bronson, arrives to tend the Cleaver men. She takes Beaver shopping and buys him a short pants suit in the style of the English school boy. At home, Beaver is stunned when she expects him to wear it to school. He does so, and his classmates pick on him. A fight breaks out, only ending with the intervention of Mr. Bloomgarten. The next day, as Beaver leaves for school (dressed once again in the short pants suit), Ward pulls him into the garage and allows him to dress in his regular clothes. When June returns and Aunt Martha leaves for home, Beaver dons his short pants suit to see Aunt Martha off, thinking the gesture will please her.
Guests: Madge Kennedy as Aunt Martha, Eric Snowden as Clothier, William Schallert as Mr. Bloomgarten, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "The Perfume Salesmen" | December 27, 1957 | 12 | |||
| Beaver and Wally try to sell twenty-four bottles of "Flower of the Orient" perfume to win a movie projector but the perfume smells so bad no one will buy it. The boys put the perfume in their closet and forget about it. A letter from the perfume comany's lawyers tips Ward off to the boys' abandoned project and he gives them a lecture on salesmanship and perseverance. He takes them around the neighborhood to try again and they fail. Ward then secretly calls members of June's Women's Club and offers to reimburse the ladies if they will buy the perfume from the boys. The boys sell all the perfume. When the movie projector arrives, Ward is disappointed to find it's a cheap plastic toy. He quietly buys the boys a real projector and the boys are thrilled upon receiving it. Later, the boys put two-and-two together and realize their father bought the projector. They decide not to spoil the moment by letting him know they are aware of his good deed.
Guests: Anne Dore as Mrs. Wentworth, Helen Jay as Customer. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Ben Gershman. | |||||
| "Voodoo Magic" | January 3, 1958 | 13 | |||
| June forbids Wally to take Beaver to the horror movie, "Voodoo Curse", but Eddie persuades Beaver to take Wally to see the movie. Later, Ward and June learn the boys went to see the horror movie and punish the two. Guests: Karl Swenson as George Haskell, Ann Doran as Agnes Haskell, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Bill Manhoff. | |||||
| "Part Time Genius" | January 10, 1958 | 14 | |||
| Miss Canfield's class takes an IQ test. When the children finish the tests, a new boy in class, Charles Fredericks, is assigned the task of carrying the tests to the principal's office. When the tests are graded, Beaver has the highest test score in the entire school. Mrs. Rayburn makes arrangements for Beaver to be interviewed at a school for exceptionally intelligent children. Larry, Whitey, and Judy call Beaver a "sneaky genius". After the interview, Miss Canfield drops by the Cleaver house with Charles Fredericks. Charles admits he switched Beaver's test paper with his own because he always places high on tests and consequently becomes a school outcast. June and Ward are glad Beaver is not a genius but just plain, old Beaver.
Guests: Diane Brewster as Miss Canfield, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, Bobby Mittelstaedt as Charles Fredericks, John Hoyt as Dr. Compton, Charles Davis as Willis "Corny" Cornelius, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Story: Hendrik Vollaerts. Teleplay: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Party Invitation" | January 17, 1958 | 15 | |||
| Linda Dennison invites Beaver to her all-girl birthday party. Beaver is reluctant to attend. At home, Wally tries to help Beaver by pretending to be Ward, calling the Dennison house and declining the invitation. Ward discovers the ruse and drives Beaver to the party, not knowing it is a girls' party. Beaver is the only boy and wins a fancy doll in a name-drawing event. When the girls want to play Post Office, Beaver slips away to another part of the house where he discovers Mr. Dennison in his den. Beaver is welcomed and is entertained with Mr. Dennison's antique gun collection. At home, Wally explains to his parents why Beaver didn't want to go to the party and the two believe Beaver will hate them for forcing him to attend. When Beaver arrives home, he says he had a swell time, confusing his parents even further. In their bedroom, Wally finds Beaver writing a note to Linda asking permission to walk her home the following day. Beaver tells Wally he really wants to see Mr. Dennison's gun collection again.
Guests: Lyle Talbot as Chuck Dennison, Claudia Bryar as Mrs. Dennison, Patty Turner as Linda Dennison, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Dorothy Anne Collier as First Girl at Party, Betty Budzak as Second Girl at Party. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Ben Gershman. | |||||
| "Lumpy Rutherford" | January 24, 1958 | 16 | |||
Guests: Richard Deacon as Fred Rutherford, Frank Bank as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford, Helen Parrish as Geraldine Rutherford. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. In future episodes "Geraldine" would become "Gwendolyn". | |||||
| "The Paper Route" | January 31, 1958 | 17 | |||
| The boys want a bicycle and get a newspaper delivery job to earn money. Ward and June help out when they realize the boys are struggling with the workload. One afternoon, June discovers a pile of papers in the garage, and, not realizing they're last week's papers, folds and delivers them around the neighborhood with Ward's help. Customers then complain to the newspaper office about receiving the old newspapers and the boys are fired over the foul-up. Ward feels bad about his interference and goes to the newspaper office in an attempt to get the boys reinstated. The boys, however, have gotten jobs as bag-packers at the grocery and are finally able to buy a new bike. The two decide their father should have the honor of the first ride.
Guests: Jack Kelk as Mr. Merkel, Alan Reynolds as Newspaper Delivery Man, Gilbert Frye as Newspaper Customer, Yvonne White as First Newspaper Customer, Lyn Osborn as Second Newspaper Customer. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Child Care" | February 7, 1958 | 18 | |||
| When the Wilsons pick up Ward and June for a wedding reception, they bring along their four-year-old daughter Puddin', explaining that their babysitter cancelled. Ward boasts of his sons' sense of responsibility and the two boys babysit the child. Puddin' proves to be a handful. She throws things and demands to see "Mary Jane". The boys telephone their parents at the wedding reception and discover "Mary Jane" is the girl's code word for the bathroom. Once in the bathroom, Puddin' locks the door and won't come out. Beaver is too big to climb through the window so he brings little Benjie from across the street and passes him through the window with instructions to open the door. The bathroom doorknob falls off when Benjie turns it, and now, both children are trapped in the bathroom. Wally and Beaver call the Fire Department and the children are finally freed. When Ward and June arrive home all is serene but a neighbor says a fire truck was at the house. Ward wants an explanation from the boys but June says they have proven they're responsible and will explain when they're ready.
Guests: Shirley Mitchell as Janet Wilson, Ray Montgomery as Herb Wilson, Will Wright as Pete the Fireman, Gabrielle as Helen "Puddin'" Wilson, Joey Scott as Benjie Bellamy. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "The Bank Account" | February 14, 1958 | 19 | |||
| The boys want new baseball gloves and plan on raiding their piggy banks. Ward tells them to make do with what they have and leave their piggy banks alone. He explains that he has wanted a new hunting jacket for years but has resisted the temptation to spend the money. The boys decide to buy their father a new hunting jacket at Abernathy Potts, the toniest sporting goods store in town. They withdraw funds from their school savings accounts and leave school grounds one afternoon to buy the jacket. Mrs. Rayburn informs Ward the boys left school without permission and have taken money out of their school accounts to go shopping. Ward is furious. When the package arrives from the sporting goods store, Ward sarcastically calls everyone around to see if the boys' purchase is a worthwhile one. He is rendered speechless to find the boys have generously bought him a new jacket with their funds. At bedtime, Wally tells Beaver they should warn their father in advance if they plan to surprise him.
Guests: Eric Snowden as Salesman, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Phil Leslie. | |||||
| "Lonesome Beaver" | February 21, 1958 | 20 | |||
| Beaver is heartbroken when Wally joins the scouts and he's left out of the fun. When Wally leaves on a weekend trip with his scout troop, no one has time for Beaver: Larry has "swolled glands" and Gus is busy with special duties. Beaver wanders around the neighborhood alone and with nothing to do. Ward discovers Beaver sitting idly by an open manhole waiting for the workmen to return. Ward explains to Beaver that he can't expect Wally to keep him company forever. When Ward and Beaver arrive home, they discover Wally's trip was rained-out and Wally is in bed. Beaver is glad Wally is home and says he'd rather do nothing with Wally than something with anyone else. Later, when Wally attends a scout meeting in the evening, Beaver goes to bed early, using Wally's official scout sleeping bag in preparation for the day when he'll become a scout.
Guests: Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Lillian O'Malley as Mrs. Whitney, John Hart as Troop #21 Scoutmaster Norton. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Wally tells the Scoutmaster he is twelve. Eddie Haskell identifies himself as "Edward Clark Haskell, Junior" to the Scoutmaster but, in a previous episode called "Voodoo Curse", Eddie's father is named George. Mr. Haskell is "Frank" in a later episode. | |||||
| "Cleaning Up Beaver" | March 7, 1958 | 21 | |||
| Wally and Eddie are all spruced up for a day at the movies and resent having to take untidy Beaver and Larry. At dinner, Ward and June praise Wally for his neat, well-groomed appearance. Beaver is told he could follow his brother's example and the criticism effectually separates the two brothers. Beaver decides he wants his own room where he can be his untidy self so June moves him into the guest room. That night, shadows in the room and a yowling cat in the tree outside the window spook Beaver and force him to seek safety in his old room with his brother. Beaver says he only moved out because Wally called him a slob. The brothers decide they can stay together by striking a middle ground: Wally will a little less neat and Beaver will be a little less untidy.
Guests: Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Bill Manhoff. | |||||
| "The Perfect Father" | March 14, 1958 | 22 | |||
| Willie Dennison's father takes the Cleaver boys to a sports event where they all have a good time. Ward is jealous because he's been busy with work and hasn't been able to give the boys his undivided attention. When the boys begin spending time at the Dennison's house to play basketball, Ward puts a basketball hoop and backboard over the garage doors. The boys and their friends play basketball at the Cleaver house until Ward joins them, delivering unsolicited criticisms and comments on how to play like a pro. Ward takes the fun out of playing basketball and the boys run off to the Dennison's house where they can play without adult interference. At the country club, Ward bumps into Mr. Dennison who tells him he doesn't interfere with his boys because they don't want him to do so. Later, Ward tells June the secret of being close to your children is to stay away from them.
Guests: Lyle Talbot as Charles "Chuck" Dennison, Richard Smiley as Willie Dennison, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Tiger Fafara as Tooey, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver and Poncho" | March 21, 1958 | 23 | |||
| Beaver trades a doorknob for a lost Chihuahua and smuggles the dog into the Cleaver house. When Ward finds the dog, he tells Beaver they must place an ad in the paper in a search for the dog's owner. Beaver grows attached to the dog. It isn't long before a Mrs. Bennett calls to claim her "Poncho". Ward tells Beaver the sad news, and, the next day, Beaver carries the dog to school in his coat. Mrs. Bennett arrives at the Cleaver house, and grows distressed when Poncho cannot be found. In the meantime, the dog is discovered under Beaver's coat at school and Mrs. Rayburn contacts Ward. Ward is furious Beaver has kept Mrs. Bennett worrying about her dog. At home, Beaver surrenders Poncho to Mrs. Bennett and tells her he only took Poncho to school because he wanted the dog to remember him a little longer. Mrs. Bennett doesn't understand little boys but Ward does and decides to be lenient with Beaver's punishment.
Guests: Maudie Prickett as Mrs. Bennett, Diane Brewster as Miss Canfield, Doris Packer as Mrs. Rayburn, Patty Turner as Linda Dennison, Joanna Lee as Newspaper Clerk, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler. Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "The State vs. Beaver" | March 26, 1958 | 24 | |||
| Ward helps the boys build a kart out of old boards, wheels, and a one-cylinder motor. He tells them not to ride the kart in the street. Larry meets Beaver at the house the next day and urges him to give the kart a spin. Against his better judgement, Beaver agrees to Larry's suggestion. The boys take the kart into the street and are stopped by a policeman who gives Beaver a ticket for driving without a license. Wally agrees to act as Beaver's guardian in court so Beaver won't have to tell his father about the incident. Beaver gets worried when the judge begins sentencing people to jail. Beaver cries and the judge sends the boys home, saying they've been punished enough. When the boys tell their father what happened, he says they should never be afraid to come to him in time of trouble.
Guests: Frank Wilcox as Judge, Bill Kendis as Police Officer, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "The Broken Window" | April 2, 1958 | 25 | |||
| While playing baseball in the street, Eddie hits a ball through the front window of the Cleaver house. Ward then forbids the boys from playing ball outside the house. The next day, Wally and Beaver smash a window in the car door with their baseball. They don't have enough money at the moment to get the window repaired so they roll it all the way down, hoping the damage won't be noticed immediately. The next day, Ward drives the family to Crystal Falls on an outing. He tells Beaver to roll the window up. Beaver cries, and Wally tells his father about the damage they did to the window the day before. When the window is rolled up, the boys are stunned to discover the damage has been repaired. Ward says he slammed the car door the night before and heard glass shattering. Believing he broke the window, Ward had the window repaired in the morning before leaving for Crystal Falls. Wally says they would have told Ward the truth eventually but Ward says they have done "real good" by telling the truth.
Guests: Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Charles Davis as Willis "Corny" Cornelius, Ralph Sanford as Fats Flannaghan, Bill Hunt as Grocer. Director: James Neilson. Writer: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "The Train Trip" | April 9, 1958 | 26 | |||
| Returning home from a visit to Aunt Martha, the boys persuade her to let them buy their own tickets for the train. She gives them the money and leaves the station. The train is delayed and the boys spend the money on sodas and candy bars. They board the train without tickets and tell the conductor a tall tale about their father falling out of an airplane. The conductor lends them money to get home and gives them his address. That evening, George Haskell tells Ward he was on the train and heard the fantastic tale the boys told the conductor. As Ward tucks the boys in, he slyly tells them he is feeling much better after falling from the airplane. When Ward leaves, Wally tells Beaver parents find out something you know they couldn't find out. Beaver concludes that it must be the same method used by Santa Claus.
Guests: Ricky Allen as Boy in Train Station, Joe Crehan as Train Conductor, Mary Foran as Lady in Bus Station, Madge Kennedy as Aunt Martha, Eddie Marr as Ticket Salesman, Alan Reynolds as man in Train Station, Karl Swenson as George Haskell, Bess Flowers as Lady in Train Station Waiting Room (uncredited). Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "My Brother's Girl" | April 16, 1958 | 27 | |||
| When a dance is scheduled for the eighth grade, Wally decides to go with Eddie. His classmate Mary Ellen Rogers has different plans for him, however. She has lunch with Beaver in the school cafeteria and tells him he can come to her house to see her father's train set if he brings Wally with him. Together, the boys go to Mary Ellen's house to see the train set. Mary Ellen entertains the two with donuts and ginger ale for a while, then sends Beaver to the kitchen so she can manipulate Wally into going to the dance with her. Beaver realizes he's not wanted, makes a face at the two teens, and goes home. Ward tells Beaver he's been used. Later, when Mary Ellen arrives at the house for the dance, Beaver gets back at her by ignoring her.
Guests: Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Jan Gillum as Kathleen, Linda Lowell as Frances, Pamela Baird (Pamela Beard) as Mary Ellen Rogers, Raymond Karr as Boy. Director: Norman Tokar. Teleplay: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Story: Bill Manhoff. | |||||
| "Next Door Indians" | April 23, 1958 | 28 | |||
| Beaver is anxious to have the bigger boys pay attention to him so he makes up a story about an Indian battle taking place near his house. Eddie questions the story and wants Beaver to prove it. At home, Beaver and Wally bury a souvenir arrowhead and a toy arrow in the lot across the street and then join Eddie, Tooey, and Chester in searching for artifacts. Eddie discounts their discoveries one-by-one. Tooey, however, finds some garnets and the boys dream of becoming "jillionaires". Beaver is the hero of the moment because the boys wouldn't have discovered the garnets if it hadn't been for his Indian battle story. Later, Gus the fireman tells Beaver the garnets are the sort used for making sandpaper and are worthless. Beaver is crestfallen. Ward points out the risks of making up stories and trying to be a "make-believe big guy". Wally tells Beaver the boys will forget all about dreams of sudden wealth because such things don't happen to boys.
Guests: Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Tenting Tonight" | April 30, 1958 | 29 | |||
| Ward is disturbed that the boys spend their Saturdays cooped-up in a dark movie theater watching cartoons and horror films. He wants them to get outside. To that end, he plans a weekend camping trip for the following Saturday. When the weekend arrives, Fred Rutherford stops at the house to tell Ward a report needs to be completed by Monday and they're going to have to work through the weekend. Ward is disappointed but the boys decide to camp out in the backyard on their own. They pitch a tent. It rains heavily and June is worried about the boys but Ward assures her they will take care of themselves. The next morning, June has discovered water spots here and there in the house. Ward tells her the boys made the spots when they left the tent in the storm and carried their sleeping bags up to their bedroom. As the boys dress for Sunday school in their room, Beaver wonders if their father cares about what they do. Wally says he does care because he left the back door open for them the night before.
Guests: Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Buddy Hart as Chester Anderson, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Frank Bank as Lumpy Rutherford, Richard Deacon as Fred Rutherford. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Music Lesson" | May 7, 1958 | 30 | |||
| When June and Ward grow excited about Wally's school baseball career, Beaver admits he didn't make the team. His parents encourage him to find something to distinguish himself. He decides to play clarinet in the school band. He practices, but, at home, his impromptu performance leaves much to be desired. His parents praise his efforts and he is pleased. He performs so poorly at band auditions, however, that the music teacher is forced to deny him admission. Beaver keeps his failure a secret. He continues to carry his clarinet to and from school. On the night of the school concert, Beaver dresses for the event anxiously, not knowing what to tell his parents. Wally has found out about Beaver's status with the band and quietly tells his parents. When Beaver enters the living room ready to leave for the concert, Ward spares him the humiliation of admitting his failure by saying something has come up and they must remain at home. June suggests Beaver take off his suit and Ward tells him a little boy can't be wandering about the street at night alone. At bedtime, Beaver gives his father a kiss, and thanks him for pretending he "thunk" he was still in the band. Ward assures him he'll make the band next year.
Guests: Wendell Holmes as Mr. Willet, Douglas Wade as Boy with Trumpet, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney. Director: Norman Tokar. Teleplay: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Story by Jack Patrick. | |||||
| "New Doctor" | May 14, 1958 | 31 | |||
| Wally is home from school sick and is given plenty of love and attention from his parents. June buys him a model plane, Ward brings him chocolate chip ice cream, and his classmates buy him a magic set. The next morning, Beaver feigns sickness, thinking he'll get some loot like Wally did. He's disappointed, however. Wally and Eddie have a half-day of school and Beaver is sorry he chose such a day to get sick. Beaver's classmates arrive but the only thing they bring him is a homework assignment and Miss Canfield's orders to study over the weekend so he can catch up with the class. The family physician, Dr. Richardson, is unavailable so his associate, Dr. Bradley arrives to examine Beaver. Dr. Bradley determines Beaver is well. The two have a talk and the doctor tells Beaver the story of the boy who cried wolf. After dinner in bed, Beaver confesses to his parents that he was faking illness to get some loot and realizes he kept the doctor from examining people who really needed his help. He says will never do it again. Ward tells Beaver to eat his ice cream so it won't go to waste.
Guests: Stuart Wade as Doctor Bradley, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Tiger Fafara as Tooey Brown, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney, Jeri Weil as Judy Hensler. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver's Old Friend" | May 21, 1958 | 32 | |||
| While cleaning the garage with his father and brother, Beaver finds his old teddy bear, Billy. Beaver is thrilled but Ward says Beaver is too old for dolls. The bear is tossed into the trash can. When Beaver is alone he retrieves Billy from the trash but his friends arrive and tease him about playing with a teddy bear. Beaver reluctantly puts the bear back in the trash can, and the boys all hurry off to collect old pop bottles along the street. The trash men arrive and empty the trash cans into their truck. Beaver sets off in pursuit of the truck to save Billy. He manages to retrieve Billy with the trash man's help. At home, he hides Billy in his room. Later, June and Ward find the bear. June wistfully reminds Ward that Billy kept Beaver company when he had the measles. She has the bear cleaned and repaired. Later, Beaver decides to give Billy to Benjie, a boy across the street with the measles. Beaver says when you have the measles, Billy is the best friend you can have.
Guests: Jesse Kirkpatrick as Trash Man, Dennis Holmes as First Friend, David Halper as Second Friend, Stanley Fafara as Whitey Whitney. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Dick Conway, Roland MacLane, Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Wally's Job" | May 28, 1958 | 33 | |||
| Ward makes a deal with Wally to paint the trash cans for fifty cents a piece. Eddie Haskell urges Wally to up the price to $3 and when Wally mentions it to his father, Ward refuses. When Wally is out of the room, Beaver offers to do the job for free. Ward gives the job to Beaver for fifty cents a can. The next day, Wally is off playing baseball and Beaver is home painting the trash cans. When Wally arrives home and discovers Beaver doing the job, he's furious. The boys fight. Ward decides each boy will paint one can and be paid fifty cents for the doing the job. The boys begin painting the cans. Eddie drops by with the news that the lumber yard is burning. The boys run off to see the fire. When Ward arrives home and learns of the fire, he hurries off, too. June finishes painting the trash cans and treats herself to a new hat as payment for the job.
Guests: Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver's Bad Day" | June 4, 1958 | 34 | |||
| Beaver is forbidden to play at a worksite in the neighborhood. He does, however, making a teeter-totter out of old boards with Larry. Eddie interferes, resulting in Beaver ripping his flannel suit pants. Beaver tells his parents Eddie's dog (who was present at the worksite) ripped his pants but Ward finds rust on the pants and sends Beaver to his room for lying. After Sunday school the next day, Beaver tells Wally about Eddie's part in ripping his pants and Eddie's boast that he can lick Wally. The boys meet Eddie at the worksite. Wally and Eddie fight, and, when Beaver gets involved, Eddie's dog rips Beaver's blue suit pants. At home, Beaver tells Ward Eddie's dog ripped his pants but Ward believes Beaver is lying and summarily sends him to his room. Beaver is unhappy about being punished for telling the truth. Ward and June learn from Mrs. Mondello that a dog did, indeed, rip Beaver's pants. Ward realizes he made a great mistake and prepares to talk to Beaver.
Guests: Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Bobby Mittelstaedt as Boy at Worksite (uncredited). Director: Norman Tokar. Writer: John Whedon. | |||||
| "Boarding School" | June 11, 1958 | 35 | |||
| Johnny Franklin, a former student at Wally's school, visits the Cleavers during his break at Bellport Military Academy. The boys are fascinated with Johnny's stories of horses, guns, marching, wrestling, and all-male teachers. Wally asks his parents if he can attend the school, and, though Ward and June are shocked and dismayed with Wally's proposal, Ward agrees to consider an application. Eddie says Wally's parents want to send him to military school because they want to get rid of him. Wally loses his enthusiasm for military school and Beaver finds him crying. Ward talks to Wally and the two decide Wally should remain at home and go to Mayfield High with his friends. Wally tells Beaver he's staying home because Beaver might get into trouble going to the lake alone looking for polliwogs and stuff.
Guests: Barry Curtis as Johnny Franklin, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher, Dick Conway, Roland MacLane. | |||||
| "Beaver and Henry" | June 17, 1958 | 36 | |||
| Ward sets a trap to catch the gopher destroying June's flowers but catches a white rabbit instead. Beaver names the rabbit Henry but June thinks Henrietta would be a better name for the animal. Henrietta gives birth and Beaver is warned not to touch the babies because the mother will abandon them if he does. It's too late, however; Beaver has picked up one of them. Beaver consults Gus the fireman who tells him putting talcum powder on all the babies will fool the mother. Beaver does so and, later, Ward notices an odor near the hutch. He questions Beaver who confesses. Ward wants to know why Beaver didn't come to him for advice. Beaver says his father is better at telling him what not to do than what to do. Ward hopes he's learned as much about children as Beaver has learned about rabbits.
Guests: Burt Mustin as Gus the Fireman, Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver Runs Away" | June 25, 1958 | 37 | |||
| Larry and Beaver are playing with Ward's electric drill and accidentally drill two holes in the garage wall. Ward sternly tells Beaver he has no respect for his home. Beaver puts his belongings in a pillowcase and prepares to run away. Ward bids him farewell and closes the door behind the departing boy. Beaver is disheartened to be on the street alone and goes to Larry Mondello's house for the evening. When Beaver doesn't return, June insists on a search. Ward stubbornly refuses but June finds Beaver and brings him home. Beaver apologizes to his father and asks him how he felt as boy when he ran away and his father didn't come looking for him. Ward says he forgot for a moment what it was like when he was a boy. The next day, he buys the boys their own set of tools.
Guests: Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Madge Blake as Mrs. Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Beaver's Guest" | July 2, 1958 | 38 | |||
| Larry Mondello arrives for a weekend stay. Ward fires-up the barbecue but finds Larry sitting on the front porch wanting to go home. He says Beaver punched him in the stomach. Ward calls a taxi (because his car is in the shop) and when it arrives, Beaver and Larry have made up and are best friends again. Meanwhile, the hamburgers have burned, and Ward starts the meal again. Later that night, Beaver rouses his parents from sleep. Larry has a stomach ache. June discovers the remains of four candy bars under his pillow and Ward decides Larry has simply overeaten. The next day, when Mrs. Mondello arrives to take Larry home, Ward breathes a sigh of relief but Wally wants Eddie to stay the following weekend.
Guests: Rusty Stevens as Larry Mondello, Frank Sully as Cab Driver, Madge Blake as Mrs. Mondello. Director: Norman Tokar. Writers: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. | |||||
| "Cat Out of the Bag" | July 16, 1958 | 39 | |||
| The next-door neighbors, the Donaldsons, leave their cat, Puff Puff in the care of Wally and Beaver. Ward thinks they may have accepted too much responsibility. Eddie's dog chases Puff Puff away. In the night, Wally and Beaver hear a cat meowing and tiptoe outside with their flashlight. The boys discover Puff Puff high in the backyard tree. Beaver climbs the tree and catches the cat but then says he's "a-scared" to descend. Wally gets his parents. June pleads with Ward to get Beaver down before yelling at him. The next day, Mr. Donaldson comes over to say the boys have told him of their troubles and have refused payment. He calls them a couple of characters and the Cleavers say the two are a couple of "nice" characters.
Guests: Ray Kellogg as Mr. Donaldson, Ken Osmond as Eddie Haskell. Director: Norman Tokar. Teleplay: Joe Connelly, Bob Mosher. Story: Roland MacLane, Dick Conway. | |||||
