It's interesting to note that Mrs.Rayburn really got around on LITB from an administrative standpoint. Early on, when Beaver is in 2nd grade, he has Ms. Canfield for a teacher and Mrs. Rayburn is the principle at Grant Avenue School. Yet, in later season's she substitutes for Ms. Landers and plays a regular teacher even as recent as Beaver entering 8th grade (Book Report Episode for example) yet in Sweatshirt Monsters, which I believe is the same season, she's a principle again and a different teacher, Mr. Collins is portrayed as Beaver's teacher (Seen only in that episode I believe) I think that it is strange that Mrs Rayburn started out as a principal, goes to teacher, than back to principle again. The producers SHOULD have had her as a teacher early on and THEN move on to the administrative role of principle, not have her hop back and forth! In fact, Mr. Blumgarden is another example of a charactor who is inconsistant. Early on, it is assumed that he IS a principle, or at least a vice-principle or disciplinarian. (i.e Beaver Plays Hookey) but in at least 1 other episode whose name escapes me, he is Wally's 8th grade teacher. Clearly examples of how roles were not always consistant in this classic show!

Hello Jack:

Do you recall the names of Bever's other teachers and their coresponding grades (aside from Miss Canfield and Miss Landers)? What grades did Mr. Collins teach, and weren't there teachers named Bailey and Blair? Your comments about Mrs. Rayburn et al were very interesting and entertaining.

Markie

There are a few that I can recall off the top of my head. Mr. Blair was Beaver's 6th grade teacher. Mr. Bailey was seen as an English teacher when Beaver was in 7th and 8th Grade. Mr. Collins was Beaver's 7th grade teacher. Wally had Mr. Foster as an English teacher Mr. Gannon was Wally's History teacher and in "Wally's Moustache", he has another History teacher who's name I can't remember....There are two teacher names in the series that I can't place Mr. Farmer and Mr. Barns (Need Help Here!)

Hello Jack:

Thanks for your quick and helpful reply. I believe Mr. Farmer was one of Wally's High School Principals. Mr. Farmer (as you probably know) was Principal in the "Wally's Haircomb" episode (which is one of my favorites because of the great music, story and Beaver's haircomb at the end). I have few notes about some of the other teachers I'll check and write you back if I have anything you've asked about. Meanwhile, here's a great Beaver trivia question (I think): What was the name of the Superintendent of Schools mentioned a couple of times by Miss Landers? Let me know if you need the answer.

Markie

Hello again Jack:

I wrote my message yesterday in haste and realized afterwards that the Principal in "Wally's Haircomb" was Mr. Haller and not Farmer. Mr. Farmer, I believe, was the Principal usually referred to by Wally in a number of other episodes. Also, I think Mr. Griffin was Wally's biology teacher and Mr. Nelson was his science teacher.

Markie

I thought of more teachers & Personnel

Mr Hayes was a composition teacher that Wally had, also Mr. Cartwright (both unseen) I can not think of the school superintendent though. Ms. Thompson was the school nurse.

Hello Jacl:

Thanks for your reply. I recall Mr. Hayes, although I thought I heard Wally speak the name Hanes. And I just saw the episode in which the reference to Mr. Cartwright was made. I'm betting he's the father of Sonny Cartwright who Larry egged on to fight Beaver. Other English teachers I had noted were Mr. Foster and Mr. Wilson which seems to me to indicate a conscious plan in the script writing to create a real impression of Wally and Beaver in different grades of school over the course of the six seasons. It's a simple but thoughtful idea and supports the reputation which the show had for being particularly well written. Nice attention to detail I guess one would say. And the choice tidbit of information about Mayfield public school personnel is the Superintendent's name, Dr. Wade, spoken several times by that trully beautiful dream girl, Miss Landers. I remembered it because I listen to every word she says. I totally love her and wish she had been my third grade teacher, but who doesn't? Write again.

Markie

Hey Markie,

Thanks for the reply! When you said Dr. Wade was Superintendent I remembered that name! Who was Mr. Wilson? Do you mean Mr. Willet, in one season he was a music teacher and in another season he substitutes for Ms. Landers. (It's the episode where Beaver brags to everyone about Ward being a war hero.)

Jack

Hi Jack:

Glad you wrote back. I'm pleased you remembered Dr. Wade. It's an interesting detail to catch.

About Mr. Wilson, I recall Wally mentioning him as his English teacher in one episode. Over time, I noticed Wally mentioning several different English teachers which is what led me to believe that the script writers were trying to create the impression (without coming out and saying so) of Wally and Beaver moving up a grade in school each filming season. I'm afraid I've missed Mr. Willet, who you mention, but will watch for him. I haven't seen every episode and so I'm filling in the gaps lately. It's interesting how much thoughtful detail went into the writing along with the few inconsistencies.

By the way, do you remember that sandwich board advertisement in episode #1 outside the Mayfield bus terminal? It had four desitnations with ticket prices. Chicago for $12.50 was one and I'm sure I saw Mexico and Miami and $98. The fourth location and the other prices I didn't notice in time. I have a theory that Mayfield was located near Madison Wisconsin. It makes sense in a number of ways. Obviously, it is a midwestern setting and the neighboring town of Madison in occasionally mentioned. Also, Ward once refers to his home office in New York as being 1,000 miles away. In fact, Madison, Wisconsin in about 950 miles west of NYC. The Lakes (Friends and Shadow) make sense too, Wisconsin having a good deal of lake country. Life in Wisconsin has always been considered a good representation of the American ideal so, when you think of it, the writers probably chose this area as a model. I suppose it would have spoiled the ficton and taken away from the imaginative pleasure of the program if an actual geographic location had been named.

Well, sorry to blab on so long. Write again and let me know what you think about any of this.

Markie

I know that the series itself was filmed at Universal Studios in California (The Munsters house accross the street!!) Many have asked about some of the discrepencies with some of the locations. I believe that in "Captain Jack", that episode to be filmed in California. However, the TOWN of Mayfield always APPEARED to be in a midwestern state. (Jerry Mathers mentions in his book that the producers chose to keep the real location of Mayfield a secret.) One epiosde, that shows a city name, that name was covered up by the producers so as not to reveal Mayfield's true location.

I think Mayfield is in Ohio. There are several references to this:

1. Ward living in Shaker Heights as a boy, which is a suburb of Cincinnati ("Best kite builder in Shaker Heights.")

2. Larry Mondello's father was always away on business and on at least 2 occations, Larry mentions that he's in Cincinnati

I don't know about the geographical location of some other LITB locations i.e "Friend's Lake" and "Crystal Falls" and where is it that Aunt Martha and Mrs. Hathaway pass through to visit the family? Indian Carriage rings a bell and in the Episode where Eddie spends the night, Mr. Haskell calls from "Freeport" These COULD be towns in a midwestern location up North. But I really feel confident that "Captain Jack" (The outdoor scenes) were filmed on location at a real Aligater farm, but the rest was filmed in Ohio...around the Cincinnati area.