Leave it to Beaver is a classic that I never get tired of watching! I didn't watch it too much as a child (I was born in 1951) mainly because as a young child (girl) I wasn't as interested in what little boys were doing but I did watch the show. I continue to watch it as an adult because Ward Cleaver reminds me of my dad, hands down! Ward treats Wally and Beaver with love, patience and RESPECT. Everything about Ward reminds me of my dad...his class, kindness, integrity, wearing a suit to work everyday, you name it! In the beginning episodes they have Ward being a little bumbling as a father and have June as the "mother knows best" role. Later they sort of switched the roles, probably because of the dynamics of father/son interaction. People always say how unrealistic the show is but, believe me, I was there during the 50s and 60s and the Cleaver family mirrored my own in a million ways. We always ate dinner at the table and "talked about our day", my dad helped with homework, etc. I remember my brother sneaking food he didn't like to our dog who wasn't allowed in the kitchen but sat dutifully by the door next to my brother's chair (classic Beaver type stuff). I wish they'd show this TV show to high school students as a model for good parenting, something that is sadly lacking in today's world. Ward and June are the parents every kid wants!
One of the reasons the show is so good is because of the development of each character. Fred Rutherford is a classic nemesis to Ward. Everyone knows a boor like Fred and can relate. He was a great character. I always liked the "idea" of Larry's parents. Larry was obviously an "accident" child. He talks about his older brother and sister, his older mother who was overwhelmed by having to deal with Larry's shenanigans without the help of her traveling husband. Stuff like this is true to life now and then. All of Beaver's friends (Larry, Gilbert, Whitey, Richard) had very distinct personalities. Lumpy and Eddie were classics and both played their parts perfectly! They even had Aunt Martha, who showed up from time to time. She was from the "older" generation and had very conservative views, didn't understand little boys having never had children herself. June was always worried the boys would embarrass her "acting up" in front of her aunt. Then there was Uncle Billy. He was far from perfect. Everyone knows someone like him. People like to make fun of the show because of "gee, Beav" or "give him the business" but this show is like I Love Lucy in that it will always be something people can relate to. It shows human nature, something that never changes.
One of the things I've never liked (can you believe I don't like something about this show) is how when they are outside there are always people walking up and down the sidewalks. This didn't happen in real life. People had cars and did not walk around in their suits and high heels. The other thing that I didn't like was invariably on every show June would ask Ward what his father would have done in some given scenario. Okay, once or twice is okay but they overdid that one.
Another thing I've noticed about the show is how some people think Ward and June were really strict but I think the opposite was true. The kids would leave in the morning and half the time Ward and June didn't even know where they were. As long as they showed up for lunch and dinner they were on their own. We had a lot more freedom that way back in the day. We didn't have to worry about being kidnapped, raped or whatever. Kids were allowed to make their own decisions and suffer the consequences. That's how you learn and that's how Ward and June raised Wally and the Beaver.
I could go on and on about this show because it truly warms my heart to watch. I guess you have to have been around at that time to truly appreciate it.
One of the reasons the show is so good is because of the development of each character. Fred Rutherford is a classic nemesis to Ward. Everyone knows a boor like Fred and can relate. He was a great character. I always liked the "idea" of Larry's parents. Larry was obviously an "accident" child. He talks about his older brother and sister, his older mother who was overwhelmed by having to deal with Larry's shenanigans without the help of her traveling husband. Stuff like this is true to life now and then. All of Beaver's friends (Larry, Gilbert, Whitey, Richard) had very distinct personalities. Lumpy and Eddie were classics and both played their parts perfectly! They even had Aunt Martha, who showed up from time to time. She was from the "older" generation and had very conservative views, didn't understand little boys having never had children herself. June was always worried the boys would embarrass her "acting up" in front of her aunt. Then there was Uncle Billy. He was far from perfect. Everyone knows someone like him. People like to make fun of the show because of "gee, Beav" or "give him the business" but this show is like I Love Lucy in that it will always be something people can relate to. It shows human nature, something that never changes.
One of the things I've never liked (can you believe I don't like something about this show) is how when they are outside there are always people walking up and down the sidewalks. This didn't happen in real life. People had cars and did not walk around in their suits and high heels. The other thing that I didn't like was invariably on every show June would ask Ward what his father would have done in some given scenario. Okay, once or twice is okay but they overdid that one.
Another thing I've noticed about the show is how some people think Ward and June were really strict but I think the opposite was true. The kids would leave in the morning and half the time Ward and June didn't even know where they were. As long as they showed up for lunch and dinner they were on their own. We had a lot more freedom that way back in the day. We didn't have to worry about being kidnapped, raped or whatever. Kids were allowed to make their own decisions and suffer the consequences. That's how you learn and that's how Ward and June raised Wally and the Beaver.
I could go on and on about this show because it truly warms my heart to watch. I guess you have to have been around at that time to truly appreciate it.