Another one of those "I could relate to that as a kid" episode, so famous on LEAVE IT TO BEAVER. Why we loved this show and still do.
Stern, but understanding principal Mrs. Rayburn (Doris Packer) is sitting in for Miss Landers and announces that an IQ test will be given, of course leading Beaver to believe he may not pass and look dumb! I agree with the last reviewer; this was the forerunner of the infamous SAT tests, and remember quite well all the tension back in the day.
Adding to the dilemma, and quite naturally, Ward mentions how Beave isn't buckling down on his homework. Now what? It's a case of pre-teen paranoia with all the fringe benefits. Beave even visits old Gus, the friendly fireman (perfectly played by Burt Mustin), who usually takes a casual approach to life. This time around, Gus says the world is changin' and you got to buckle down, study up and get a good education.
Translation: No pain, No gain. And that's the lesson of the day. Although, it's really not all that bad... without giving away the ending.
Exceptional episode by Theodore Ferro, who specialized in soap operas, behind such legends as the GUIDING LIGHT and GENERAL HOSPITAL for years. Also a salute to Doris Packer, who I always thought was a "slightly" better teacher than Miss Landers because she did it all with a wink and a nod, sort of on the sly. She knew the score all too well.
Doris was a veteran stage actress who became quite popular in movies and tv, particularly in the 50s, also known as snooty Mrs Chatsworth Osbourne on DOBIE GILLIS, sort of a female version of Mr. Howell on GILLIGANS ISLAND. Doris even appeared in an Elvis Presley movie, PARADISE, HAWAIIN STYLE (1966), a favorite of producers. She retired in the mid 70s to Glendale, CA.
To note, Sue Randall, who played Miss Landers, may have missed this episode due to the fact that she also appeared regularly at Warner Brothers/ABC, in many of their top cop shows at the time. And she was excellent in such series as 77 SUNSET STRIP and HAWAIIN EYE.
Another guilty pleasure for all us sitcom fans.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 9 remastered dvd box set.