Jean in Newcastle Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 (edited) We've been having a "Beav-a-thon" at our house. I don't know why everyone says that family was so perfect. They argue, get into scrapes, the parents mess up and have to apologize to the kids. . . Actually, despite the slight change in era, it really is remarkably like our home. Right now the episode where Ward Cleaver takes the family to a cabin in the woods to get away from the movies and the comic books is running in the background. With the exception of June Cleaver who is still wearing a pencil skirt and sweater set, the theme of getting the family away from media and back to nature is quite modern! In fact, I think think the Cleaver family was a bit more lenient than we are. I would have pulled the plug on Beaver's friendship with Larry (who got him to try smoking) and Wally's friendship to Eddie (who, well, is Eddie). ETA: Oh wait, June changed into some nicely pressed jeans and a gingham blouse! Edited October 28, 2012 by Jean in Newcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwg Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 We watched one where the boys forgot to take their bath so they filled the tub with a little water and threw dirt from their pockets in the water, making it look as if they had. My son said "why am I laughing?" :lol: That was not even the main theme of the episode I don't think! I think each episode we watched had something like that. I do think their house is too clean. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 That show is one of my all-time favorite series. :lol: I watched it in re-runs after school. Now my kids have the entire series on DVD. :D I love the minimalist look of their house and Beaver's classroom. ;) Everything is so tidy. I read an article recently about Tony Dow. He's a sculptor who had some of his work shown at the Louvre. He looks the same! And apparently the actor who played Eddie Haskel was a total sweetheart in real-life.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeslieAnneLevine Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I think people think the Cleavers are perfect because neither Ward nor June are alcoholics, Ward doesn't "work late" and come home wearing someone else's underwear, no one in the family is verbally or physically abused or abusive (as far as I remember--it's been awhile since I've seen the show), the parents are pretty patient and kind and show grace to their children, all needs are met and nothing all that terrible happens. There's not a third sibling that's been sent to reform school or anyone carrying a gun or strung out on drugs or anything. People use "leave it to beaver childhood" to mean a great childhood in a loving family and I think that makes sense. I'm sure lots of 1950s/early 1960s families were NOT like the Cleavers. But they are not robots or a Stepford family. I always liked Leave It to Beaver when I was a kid. Although my son has an aversion to black-and-white TV and movies, I should get a dvd from the library and try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted October 28, 2012 Share Posted October 28, 2012 I've always loved that show. And I never thought the parents were the vapid, spineless robots they've been made out to be. I wish my house was that clean. Of course, June didn't have internet, so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I think people think the Cleavers are perfect because neither Ward nor June are alcoholics, Ward doesn't "work late" and come home wearing someone else's underwear, no one in the family is verbally or physically abused or abusive (as far as I remember--it's been awhile since I've seen the show), the parents are pretty patient and kind and show grace to their children, all needs are met and nothing all that terrible happens. There's not a third sibling that's been sent to reform school or anyone carrying a gun or strung out on drugs or anything. People use "leave it to beaver childhood" to mean a great childhood in a loving family and I think that makes sense. I'm sure lots of 1950s/early 1960s families were NOT like the Cleavers. But they are not robots or a Stepford family. I always liked Leave It to Beaver when I was a kid. Although my son has an aversion to black-and-white TV and movies, I should get a dvd from the library and try it. :lol: Perfection: so easy to achieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Even as a kid I hated Father Knows Best. Leave it to Beaver was a lot more real (in re-runs, of course...I'm not that old!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Why is June never in PJ's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 "Waaaarrrrd, dooo something!" :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I LOVE Leave It To Beaver!!!!!!! although they argue and such, it was good, clean tv. We have the entire dvd set of I Love Lucy and all four of my kids love it. When ever dd12 is sick, we can plan on a Lucy marathon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 I do think their house is too clean. :tongue_smilie: I agree on that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I LOVE "Leave It to Beaver"!!! We have the whole series on DVD. I watched it as a kid, and my kids were raised on it, too. Our friends even call us Ward and June. :D June Cleaver is my hero. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KayT Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Hey we are having a “Beav-a-thon” tonight too! I added to my collection by buying season 3 & 4 at Target this afternoon. I grew up watching Beaver and really love that show! When I have had a stressful day I tell the kids I need to go to Beaver Land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 (edited) It's pretty amazing how behavior some would find appalling is fairly typical of the era. I am trying to imagine a post by someone reporting that their kid got stuck in a city billboard/advert. How harsh would the punishment be today for many? The child might likely be tried as an adult and go to prison. Today, Beaver would totally be on Ritalin. Edited October 29, 2012 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkInTheBlue Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 You guys got me curious about it so I looked it up and Leave It To Beaver is streaming on Netflix. Yeah! Now I want to watch a bit and refresh my memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 It's pretty amazing how behavior some would find appalling is fairly typical of the era. I am trying to imagine a post by someone reporting that their kid got stuck in a city billboard/advert. How harsh would the punishment be today for many? The child might likely be tried as an adult and go to prison. . Which episode is that?? ETA: Found it. I remember that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 It's pretty amazing how behavior some would find appalling is fairly typical of the era. :iagree: My favorite example of the above is one in which one of the boys goes off to scout camp with his troop. How do they get to scout camp? About a dozen boys are shown standing in the bed of a pick up truck that doesn't even have a tailgate, just a chain across the back. This truck then heads off down the road going to some camp, who knows how far away. How many years in jail would the driver get these days for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share Posted October 29, 2012 :iagree: My favorite example of the above is one in which one of the boys goes off to scout camp with his troop. How do they get to scout camp? About a dozen boys are shown standing in the bed of a pick up truck that doesn't even have a tailgate, just a chain across the back. This truck then heads off down the road going to some camp, who knows how far away. How many years in jail would the driver get these days for that? Yes, I did have that thought too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 You guys got me curious about it so I looked it up and Leave It To Beaver is streaming on Netflix. Yeah! Now I want to watch a bit and refresh my memory. Awesome! I feel a storm marathon coming on! (As long as power and internet hold out, of course.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 My ds started watching that on Netflix this Summer! We love that show. Beaver is adorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I love the one where Beaver gets his head stuck between the bars of an iron fence. And the one where Wally takes his driving test. Hs female partner is hysterical. And Fred Rutherford makes me laugh until my sides hurt. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialClassical Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I agree. June is rather sarcastic, so I have wondered why people categorized her as perfect. Her clothes and house, yes; her personality, not so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgiana Daniels Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 We've been having a "Beav-a-thon" at our house. I don't know why everyone says that family was so perfect. They argue, get into scrapes, the parents mess up and have to apologize to the kids. . . Actually, despite the slight change in era, it really is remarkably like our home. Right now the episode where Ward Cleaver takes the family to a cabin in the woods to get away from the movies and the comic books is running in the background. With the exception of June Cleaver who is still wearing a pencil skirt and sweater set, the theme of getting the family away from media and back to nature is quite modern! In fact, I think think the Cleaver family was a bit more lenient than we are. I would have pulled the plug on Beaver's friendship with Larry (who got him to try smoking) and Wally's friendship to Eddie (who, well, is Eddie). ETA: Oh wait, June changed into some nicely pressed jeans and a gingham blouse! LOL, Beav-a-thon!!! Just the fact your family is having a Beav-a-thon shows how wholesome and family-oriented you are. Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funschooler5 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 We love that show! Wally cracks me up. The other day we watched the episode where Ward and June leave Wally and Beaver home alone for the night. Wally makes dinner and Beaver is upstairs taking a bath, so Wally yells "Hey Beaver hurry up, the junk is getting cold." :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 My three littles have loved watching Dick Van Dyke recently. We watch one episode every night before bed. They think it is hysterical! My littlest girl loves I Love Lucy, but the boys don't get the humor. Next, we plan to watch Leave it to Beaver. I think they will really enjoy it. :001_smile: Love those old shows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz CA Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I should look for this show. Dh happened upon a rerun of the Partridge Family and the color of their carpet made my eye twitch. I wished it had been in black and white. :D I'd rather see 50's and 60s shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 My three littles have loved watching Dick Van Dyke recently. We watch one episode every night before bed. They think it is hysterical! My littlest girl loves I Love Lucy, but the boys don't get the humor. Next, we plan to watch Leave it to Beaver. I think they will really enjoy it. :001_smile: Love those old shows! LOVE Dick Van Dyke! Oh, R-o-b-b....;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissamomof5 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 "Waaaarrrrd, dooo something!" :lol: :rofl: It is on Netflix so we have been going through every one as well. We love it! My favorite is one we watched Sunday. The girls played it over and over and over. Beaver and Gilbert were pretending in Ward's car. Gilbert was the "mom". It was the funniest thing I've ever seen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer3141 Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 Why is June never in PJ's? Because she never sleeps!!! How else could your house look like that with two boys?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 I do think their house is too clean. :tongue_smilie: I do agree with that! I LOVE Leave It To Beaver!!!!!!! although they argue and such, it was good, clean tv. We have the entire dvd set of I Love Lucy and all four of my kids love it. When ever dd12 is sick, we can plan on a Lucy marathon. We have that set too. MY dh can't stand Lucy (says its too silly, although he LOVES the three stooges...go figure) but the kids and I love it. We love to watch Andy Griffith, Beaver, I love Lucy, and Hogan's Heroes. It makes me sad that those type shows, which everyone in the family can enjoy, are not made anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairfarmhand Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 oh, my neighbor kid is Eddie Haskell incarnate. Seriously. "Here, Mrs. x, I brought you a flower." He'd picked my pansies from the yard!!! I avoid that kid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted October 29, 2012 Share Posted October 29, 2012 The kids have been enjoying a Beaver marathon today. Right now, we're watching Dick van Dyke. Thanks for the reminder, Jean, and the Netflix heads-up, Jessica. It's added great fun to Storm Watch 2012. :D PS June was in her nightgown and robe in The Haircut. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.